A Veryan Secret

Thousands of people explore the beauty of Nare Head each year

Thousands of people explore the beauty of Nare Head near Veryan each year.

Here there are three green objects, sticking up out of the ground which signify a once crucial part of Cornwall's protection in the past.

Directly underground lies a Cold War bunker.

In the early '60s the bunker opened at its permanent base near Nare Head.

What was once a big secret is now open occasionally to the public.

As you walk towards Nare Head, you trek passed two secrets from the past. On the right there's a mound of land, which is the remaining sign of a World War II decoy centre.

Sticking up out of the ground are three green objects. Many have wondered what these are, some think they might be water towers, but their true use is indeed a world apart.

For years hardly anyone knew about an underground building on the coast

These three green 'towers' signify a once crucial part of Cornwall's protection in the past. Directly underground is a Cold War bunker.

Lawrence Holmes and his small team of helpers from the Truro Branch of The Royal Observer Corps Association operate the Veryan preserved ROC Bunker on behalf of the National Trust.

Access is via a ladder, going 12 feet underground. Once you get down below you're greeted by two rooms, one is a toilet, but the other houses much of the equipment which would have been used in the past.

Originally based on Carne Beacon, the Veryan Post opened at the beginning of 1940. Some 23 years later it was re-positioned to its permanent base near Nare Head. In the same year the underground post was built. It's this which can be visited by the public on selected open days throughout the year.

Open Days

To find out when the bunker will be open in 2010, please call Lawrence Holmes on 01872 278234.