'World War 3' are the words on everyone's lips at the moment, given the current goings on in the world.
Between the recent conflict with Israel and Iran, the US' subsequent involvement, and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, it's no wonder we're all on edge. Brits have now been told to 'actively prepare' for war to erupt on UK soil, while government ministers are also urging people to 'prepare' a stash of doomsday essentials.
Amid all of this concerning chatter, a lot of people have been pondering where they could head to try and stay out of harm's way in the event of WW3 erupting.
Personally, I wouldn't mind a Sean of the Dead-style plan of action - heading to the Winchester, or whatever your local boozer might be called, having a nice cold pint and waiting for all this to blow over. But if you fancy lying low in a place without bags of peanuts and lager on tap instead, there are a couple of fortresses in the UK which would make a decent refuge if world war really did break out.
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The only problem is, none of us lot would probably get a sniff in, seen as though these spots are the crème de la crème of wartime sanctuaries on our side of the pond. Still, it's nice to get an idea where other people might be holed up if it royally kicks off between major countries - which is a scenario that is growing increasingly likely by the day.
Wood Norton Hall
A lot of Brits would be vying for a spot in the BBC's bolt-hole in Worcestershire in the event of WW3, as Wood Norton Hall is considered one of the most secure spots in the country.
The Victorian stately home was acquired by the Beeb before World War 2, with the idea being that it would serve as an emergency broadcasting hub, given that it's a fairly safe distance from London.
By 1940, Wood Norton had become one of the largest broadcasting facilities in Europe which housed a dozen studios and produced an average of 1,300 programmes per week.
To this day, it still boasts modern media training facilities - as well as some other features which make it quite the safe haven should the world go to war for a third time.
Wood Norton has a nuclear fallout bunker - known as 'PAWN', or Protected Area Wood Norton - as well as a 175-foot fallout shelter.
This idyllic location was one of 11 protected 'Deferred Facilities' intended to sustain the Wartime Broadcasting Service in the event of a nuclear war. Therefore, it featured living quarters, a ping-pong table and a stockpile of pre-recorded programmes so that Brits would at least have some entertainment during a time of ultimate crisis.
The BBC revealed that Wood Norton Hall would be used in the event of a serious attack on the UK in 2016, so its highly likely that the stately home would be a popular place to hide out during WW3.
However, it would be a tight squeeze - as according to reports, the facility would only be able to hold 90 BBC staff, including 12 news editors and sub-editors. Sounds like there is no room at the inn for us lot, then.
Pindar bunker
Another relic of WW2 which could come in seriously handy if global tensions erupt is London's Pindar bunker which lies beneath the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Main Building in Whitehall.
Construction began on the £126.3 million foxhole in 1984, and it then became operational in 1992 following the end of the Cold War. This place would be perfect to skulk around while bombs fly left and right outside, as it boasts a lot of elements which would be beneficial if Armageddon began to unfold.
The purpose of Pindar was to give the UK government a place to continue to function if needs be - so there's two floors, a TV studio and broadcast centre, a myriad of different offices and even a decontamination suite.
Even though the exact details of the bunker are kept under wraps, it is reported that it also features a 'crisis control room', a medical bay and multiple briefing rooms. It is said to hold 400 people at 'an absolute maximum', and the bunker can supposedly protect those occupying it from radiation, bombings, biological and chemical attack, flooding and the effects of 'all but a direct hit or very near miss' from a nuclear weapon.
Pindar is reportedly accessible via a range of tunnels which connect it to Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, allowing politicians to discreetly make their way inside. Former armed forces minister Jeremy Hanley explained that the bunker was a 'joint operations centre' which can 'provide the government with a protected crisis management facility' two years after it opened.
He revealed that the place is 'manned by a permanent staff, which is augmented as necessary in times of crisis', adding that there is space for 'ministers, senior military and civilian personnel, plus service and civilian operational and support staff' to hide out.
So...has anyone got a mate in the MOD to get my name on the guest list, then?
Topics: UK News, World News, Politics, London
Olivia Burke