Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all free.

Take a guided tour of the Cold War Decontamination Suite at the former US Airbase. This rare opportunity offers access to a normally closed part of the site, with knowledgeable guides sharing the history and stories behind this unique building.

Greenham Common served as a US Army Air Forces and later US Air Force airfield from the Second World War onwards, becoming synonymous with the Cold War. Between 1982 and 1991, it was home to the US Air Force’s 501st Tactical Missile Wing, which operated 96 Ground Launched Cruise Missiles. The base also became internationally known for the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp and its anti-nuclear protests.

Today, few buildings from the former airbase remain. Greenham Control Tower is the only building open to the public as a visitor centre. As part of Heritage Open Days, the charity that operates Greenham Control Tower has been granted special permission to open the Decontamination Suite within Building 274, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore an area that is not usually accessible.

Normally closed to the public, this remarkable facility is attached to the former command centre of the 501st Tactical Missile Wing. Built with blast-resistant reinforced concrete and heavy blast doors, it was designed to protect personnel in the event of a chemical attack. The building also featured self-contained air, water and sanitation systems, allowing it to remain operational during an emergency.

Join expert guides for a rare opportunity to explore this fascinating Cold War facility and discover the history of a site that played an important part of Greenham Common’s history.

Learn more via the link below.