Discovery Visits at York Cold War Bunker

Bring the history of York Cold War Bunker to life and inspire your students, with a hands-on interactive session led by one of our site experts. 

Hot War Cold War

History
KS3, KS4, A Level, AS Level

Explore one of the best surviving nuclear bunkers in England, a time capsule of the 1960s through to the 1990s, and examine the nuclear arms race. Why did the Cold War emerge? What was the role of the Royal Observation Corps in York's bunker? Through an expert-led tour, object handling and original audio-visual footage, students will develop a greater understanding of life inside and outside the bunker during this potentially devastating era. An essential visit for GCSE Modern World History!

  • Availability: April to October: Monday and Tuesday during term time
  • Session lasts for 1 1/2 hours
  • £100 per session
Enquire now

Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page.

Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip. We also offer free planning visits once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip!

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: Very limited free parking on site: only three allocated spaces outside. There is additional free parking on Acomb Road (2 minutes' walk)
    • TOILETS: Toilets including accessible toilets are available at the site
    • SHOP: There is a gift shop selling a selection of English Heritage gifts and themed souvenirs, including books, stationery, postcards and war memorabilia. 
  • Hazard Information

    A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

     

    You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

    • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
    • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
    • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
    • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
    • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
    • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
    • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
    • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group
  • Education Site Opening Times

    We offer education visits during school term time*. Visits to the York Cold War Bunker are available by guided tour only, and our expert-led sessions for schools have been designed to enhance the learning experience for your students. Please note that free education visits are currently not available at this site. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

    *Education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    • April-October: Monday-Thursday 10:30-4pm
    • For more details on education visits from November-March to York Cold War Bunker, please contact Angela Peirson, Education Visits Officer for the North at Angela.Peirson@english-heritage.org.uk 

More to explore

Planning Your Visit

Planning your visit couldn’t be easier with the help of our resources. However if you need more details or have specific questions about your trip or our Free Self-Led or Expert Led visits, please get in touch with our Education Booking Team on 0370 333 0606