About

Bawdsey Radar Trust began life in the autumn of 2003 as the Bawdsey Radar Group.

Its formation came about following the opening of the transmitter block to the public in July of that year.  Only a handful of visitors had been expected but amazingly, 950 people turned up.

As a direct result of this high level of public interest, Bawdsey Radar Group was formed at a public meeting at Bawdsey Manor.

The Group decided to take on the challenge of the restoration and development of the transmitter block.

In 2004, the block was shown in the series, BBC2 Restoration that featured Britain’s endangered historic buildings. Achieving fourth place in the final (only 5000 votes behind the winners) highlighted the national importance of the site.

Following this, a Heritage Lottery grant was obtained to complete an oral history project featuring individuals who served at Bawdsey.  A play has been written based on these oral reminiscences and the block has featured in the BBC Coast programme and The One Show.

In 2008, the Group became a trust. In 2016/7, the transmitter block underwent a major restoration programme funded by the NHLF, Historic England and others to transform it from a derelict condition into a building which now has a sustainable future and award winning exhibition about the development and use of radar from the 1930’s, through WWII to the present day.