Bletchley Park and the Codebreakers of WWII

Where did the Allied Codebreakers of WWII carry on their secretive, vital work? It was at an unassuming place outside London called Bletchley Park, a Victorian mansion and its grounds and outbuildings. The house, on its way to ruin, was grabbed up by the Allies in WWII, and some of the greatest secrets of the war were uncovered here by the brilliant Codebreakers recruited to work in the huts hastily built on the property. The whole operation remained top secret through the war, and those who worked here kept their wartime occupation a mystery for decades. About the time the huts got so dilapidated they were falling over, people rallied to save the complex. History, they felt, should reveal what went on here, the tedious and the amazing.

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Bletchley Park is restored for touring

Today you can tour the mansion, the grounds, and some of the huts that have been restored. No one lived here during the war. The house was turned into offices and a library.

Decoding German messages

The fine museum gives you an idea of how the German messages were decoded using Enigma machines and elaborate precursors to computers called “bombes.” Two men headed up the development of the bombes: Alan Turing and Gordon Welchman. All of these bombes were destroyed after the war, but an organization raised funds and rebuilt one from existing plans. You may have seen this bombe in the movie about Bletchley Park, “The Imitation Game.” Demonstrations give an idea of the complexity and noise of these computers.

The Huts — A hive of activity

Hut 11 was home to a bombe, and those who worked there called the hut a hellhole. The huts certainly were nothing other than functional.

The steps before the final decoding were done by teams of different people. Enigma messages arrived in Hut 6, then went to Hut 3 for translation and analysis. Most people who worked at Bletchley knew only their small part of the operation, which helped maintain the secrecy. Everyone knew that if the Germans discovered that their Enigma machines were being decoded, they would quickly switch the way they conveyed messages. More than one million German Air Force and German Army messages were decoded at Bletchley. The secret of the Codebreakers held until well after the war ended.

Take a tour

An informative tour is included with admission. Here’s our dapper and enthusiastic guide, Hugh.

Want to know more about Bletchley Park? Besides “The Imitation Game,” the movie “Enigma” also shows life at Bletchley Park. Several books about Alan Turing and Gordon Welchman are available. And I recommend the excellent television show, “The Bletchley Circle.”

If you are near London, consider spending a day at Bletchley Park. The world of the Codebreakers will fascinate you.

Practical information

Bletchley Park is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 16:00 p.m.

From London, take the train to Bletchley Park and walk about 2 blocks to the museum.

Where I stayed in London

I’m a repeat guest at the boutique Lime Tree Hotel in the Belgravia area of London. The hotel, recently remodeled, gives you elegance and comfort in a former townhome. And it’s in an upscale neighborhood but offers reasonable rates. You can easily walk to and from busy Victoria Station and also from convenient Sloan Square station. From these underground stations, you can basically get anywhere you want to go. Also, I’ve walked from the hotel to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Churchill War Rooms.

Add to those plusses a delicious breakfast at the Buttery and a garden out back where you can sit and relax after a hectic day in the city. You are across the street from tempting Peggy Porschen Cakes. For dinner near the Lime Tree, try Sicily Restaurant right around the corner. I’m a repeat customer here, too. The food and atmosphere are perfect.

The Lime Tree Hotel is quite a find!

Check out availability at the Lime Tree Hotel when you’re traveling to London. You will be pleased you did.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT LONDON

Touring the Churchill War Rooms in London

The Tower of London

Viewing and Visiting Westminster Abbey

London’s Battle of Britain Monument

Riding High on the London Eye

The Royal Air Force Museum of London

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