Where Shall We Go On Our Journey Today?... Bletchley Park, Home of the Codebreakers (Part One)

When thinking of war time code breakers in the past, I would think of underground tunnels, dark and dusty, with people walking around in macs, dark glasses and meeting on street corners under a gas lamp.  Of course that would have been far too conspicuous.  What I wasn’t expecting was a beautiful park land with a mansion and outbuildings, tennis courts, a lake and open air.  So, grab your cup of tea and a bourbon - where are we going on our journey today?... Bletchley Park,Milton Keynes – the home of the code breakers.

After watching The Imitation Game, I was more curious on the great minds of these incredibly clever people that occupied this very secret place.  Most didn’t know what each other was doing, it wasn’t discussed, it was that confidential. 

Each section of the park tells a story of who was there, including sounds of days gone past such as a tennis match between two of the female workers (75% of the workforce in Bletchley during the War were female), a boat rowing on the lake, and laughter on the lawns.

But there was a very serious side to this outer façade.  As you come into the open you are not gazing on the mansion straight away.  Instead you see the blocks and huts that housed the people that were working in this top secret environment.  All busy with solving codes to save lives in war time.

So, shall we start with the pretty area first?  Let’s have a look around the mansion…

The Mansion was built in the 1870's as a family house but went on to house the HQ offices and recreational areas.  Bletchley was chosen because of its good railway and road links as well as being half way between Oxford and Cambridge.  The 1870’s entrance with its stained glass and wood panelling, so beautifully maintained and one that welcomed so many such as Alan Turing to use amazingly sharp minds to help crack codes.

The bust of Churchill on the fire place.  Inspiring and steady guiding the country to victory.

The abandoned offices.  This room felt as though they had just gone out for their lunch and we were invading their space.  The jackets on the back of chairs, the typewriters, phones, cigarettes and ash trays.  So familiar but yet so dated.

 

The books on the shelves.  How I would love this in my own home.

Continuing through we came across a little surprise.  A section on The Imitation Game!

The costumes worn by Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.  Apparently she wanted the ugliest clothes possible for her part.  Well, I think they are still very stylish and perfect for the era.

The bar area.  Still as it would have been but also used in the film.  

The ceilings were spectacular here (just as the stained glass ones were down the hallway – my Wordless Wednesday post showed just how stunning they were).

We could have easily sat at these tables.  Again, so familiar (pre non-smoking of course).

Then the props.  The Turing Bombe which helped limit the time needed to crack the codes of the Enigma machines.  This looked exactly like the real thing and was hard to believe that it was a film prop.

And then the red book that Benedict stuffed down his trousers in the film.

Such a beautiful place, full of nostalgia and the ghosts of people just passed.

Next week I will take you around the grounds and into the huts, as well as taking a look at the Turing section.

Until then dear readers, have a wonderful weekend and week and Tia says a very Happy 4th July!!