Hack Green: From Wartime Deception to Nuclear Doomsday
Just beyond Nantwich, a quiet corner of Cheshire holds an extraordinary story. Behind the familiar “Secret Bunker” signs lies a history of wartime deception, watchful radar crews and secret preparations for nuclear war.
Explore that story in four parts, from the Second World War to the final years of the Cold War. Start at the beginning, or choose a chapter below.
Espresso Addict, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
1. Deception: Operation Starfish
How fields near Hack Green became part of an elaborate plan to deceive enemy bombers and protect Crewe.
2. Detection: Watching the Skies
Discover the radar station that helped track approaching aircraft and guide RAF fighters towards their targets.
3. Deterrence: The New Enemy
As the Cold War began, Hack Green took on a new role in Britain’s air defences—and acquired the bunker that still stands today.
4. Doomsday: What If?
Step inside the secret headquarters prepared to govern a shattered region after a nuclear attack. Who would shelter here, and what would they face?