It had never occurred to us to visit Bletchley
Park until good friends told us about their
interesting day trip last month. We’ve
watched the film ‘The Imitation Game’ a
couple of times, but it had never dawned
on us that we could go and see the
codebreaking machine for ourselves.
Before long we had booked our tickets
and off we set. It’s about an hour’s drive
from HP10, but it’s a lovely country drive
which took us past many villages we had
never even heard of. Wing, one of these
Aylesbury Vale villages, had knitted
things just about everywhere – any ideas
anyone?
Bletchley Park was the top-secret location of the WW II code breakers, who
cracked the codes of the German Enigma machines. These code breakers
worked in terrible conditions, sat inside huts with the windows blacked out
and very little fresh air (remember everyone smoked inside in those days). The
winters were freezing, the summers were boiling, but they just got on with the
job. Their work was tireless and frustrating, as every day new codes were set
so the job started all over again. Everything was top secret - nobody was to tell
anybody what they were doing, even for years after. The results of their hard
work shortened the war and saved thousands of lives; we owe them.
We took a guided tour, which was both informative and entertaining. Michael Saunders, our guide,
has been a Bletchley volunteer for over 9 years. He was full of interesting stories as, over the years,
he has met several descendants of the code breakers who regaled their stories to him.
People travel from all over the world to visit Bletchley Park and we can understand why. Whilst
some of the information about Alan Turing in The Imitation Game needs to be taken with a pinch of
salt, there is no denying Bletchley Park played a very important role in our history.
Just by chance we visited during a vintage themed weekend. It was lovely to see so many people
dressed up to look the part. It’s worth checking their website to
see what events they have on.
An added bonus is that the admission ticket gives you an annual
pass for unlimited free returns for a year. The grounds are lovely,
perfect for family gatherings, picnics, and chilled afternoons out.
It’s a shame the weather was a bit of a damp squib when we went.
Bletchley Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Bucks, MK3 6EB | 01908 640404
https://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/
Helen Gerrish Editor
hiyabucks.com
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