Places to Explore
From Churchill’s underground bunker to museums on Georgia’s coast, five sites that commemorate and celebrate the home front
1 THORPE CAMP
Housed at the former RAF barracks for RAF Woodhall Spa, Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre is now devoted to preserving the site’s history. During the war, four squadrons f lew out of Woodhall Spa, including Squadron 617 – better known as the Dambusters.
However, Thorpe Camp has expanded to include other aspects of Lincolnshire’s World War II history, including the home front. Visitors to the camp can see a mockup of the average WWII kitchen, as well as various items available at home. There is also an air cadets exhibit, detailing their history and role in the war. Alongside this, the visitor centre contains numerous displays including a Special Operations Executive Room, a Lancaster Bomber exhibit, plus areas devoted to the Cold War.
Visitors to Thorpe Camp may also be interested in the ‘We’ll Meet Again: WWII Museum’ in Freiston Shore, a mere half-hour drive from Thorpe Camp. This museum contains a number of British home front artefacts, including an Anderson shelter. Please check the opening times and dates before travelling.
Opening times vary, please check before travelling. Entry costs £5.00 per person, children under 12 can enter for free.
2 CAPE SPEAR BATTERY
Cape Spear is an area of natural beauty in Newfoundland. Famous for its historic lighthouse, it also played a part in the defence of Canada during World War II. One of a number of surviving installations on the coast of Argentia and St John’s, this gun was constructed to protect ships both leaving and entering St John’s Harbour, as well as the harbour itself.
Two large guns were built and connected by underground tunnels. Large storage areas were also constructed to house ammunition. The battery can be visited by means of a trail and although some tunnels are blocked off, others have been reopened and restored so that they may be explored by the public.
Between Cape Spear and Blackhead can also be found the remains of a dummy battery.
This was constructed to trick the enemy into believing it was a fortified installation and to draw enemy fire away from the actual guns during an attack.
The site can be visited most days, but some areas may be closed off.
3 DARWIN OIL TUNNELS
As the war raged, the city of Darwin in Australia fa
