Hidden Cornish bunkers reveal wartime secrets thanks to dedicated volunteers

ON a quiet headland overlooking Cornwall's south coast, two unassuming bunkers hold stories of wartime deception, Cold War tensions and the people who helped protect Britain during some of its most uncertain years.

Now, the dedicated volunteers who bring this hidden history to life at Nare Head on the Roseland Peninsula have been recognised with a national heritage award.

The National Trust's Roseland team has received the Royal Observer Corps Association (ROCA) Heritage Award, recognising the volunteers' contribution to preserving the history of the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) and marking 20 years of partnership between the two organisations.

Tucked away on the headland are two remarkable reminders of Britain's wartime past: a Second World War decoy bunker and a 1960s nuclear monitoring bunker, built during the Cold War.

Easy to overlook from the surrounding landscape, the bunkers offer a glimpse into a very different chapter of Cornwall's history.

Each year, National Trust volunteers work alongside the Roseland ranger team to open the bunkers to visitors, revealing their history and the important roles they once played.

Among the volunteers are former members of the Royal Observer Corps, who bring their own experiences and knowledge to the tours.

For decades, ROC volunteers gave up their spare time to help monitor threats to Britain, initially reporting aircraft movements during the Second World War and later taking on a nuclear monitoring role during the Cold War. The organisation finally stood down in 1995.

Today, their stories are helping visitors understand a period of history that might otherwise be forgotten.

Harriet Wherry, lead ranger for the National Trust on the Roseland, said: "It's a privilege to receive this award on behalf of the whole team. These bunkers are easy to walk past without realising the extraordinary history they hold. Our volunteers bring that history to life, and having people who were once part of the Royal Observer Corps sharing their knowledge makes the experience particularly special.

"Working together means we can continue caring for these important pieces of Cornwall's heritage and sharing their stories with future generations."

The award, a bronze Spitfire trophy, is presented annually by the Royal Observer Corps Association to an individual or group making a significant contribution to preserving the organisation's heritage. Lawrence Holmes accepted the award on behalf of the team at the association's annual meeting in Derbyshire.

Visitors will have another opportunity to step inside the bunkers and discover their history when the National Trust's guided tours return in 2027.

A National Trust spokesperson said: “Over the next decade, our cause will be delivered through our People & Nature Thriving strategy. We have three ambitious goals. To restore nature - not just on National Trust land, but everywhere; to end unequal access to nature, beauty and history; and to inspire millions more people to care and take action.”