Richard Edwards

Britain’s Secret World War II Code-breaking Station Receives Listed Building Status

Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, UK

Block C at Bletchley Park, the world renowned intelligence and code-breaking centre, was awarded Grade II Listed status on 6 January 2012 by the British government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Bletchley Park has become famous for its achievement in breaking the German’s highly complex Enigma code and for the development of the World's first computer.



Block C was first occupied in November 1942 and housed the site’s first use of high-speed data processing machines on a large scale, which greatly sped up the code-breaking work that was previously completed by hand. Its hardened exterior and soundproofing demonstrate the importance that was placed on protecting the Hollerith machines and card data inside.

German Naval Enigma at Bletchley Park

In December 2011 Google announced a donation of £550,000 towards the match funding needed for the Bletchley Park Trust to embark on the first stage of a £15 million project to transform the site into a world-class heritage and education centre. The funding helps the Bletchley Park Trust to educate and inspire generations to come and as a permanent testament to the brilliant people who worked there.

A visit to Bletchley Park, particularly on one of their many event days, is like a taking a trip back in time. The importance of the role played by the brilliant pioneering code-breakers who worked there during the war cannot be under-estimated. The time I spent there brought with it an overwhelming sense of history and pride. If you have the chance to visit then you should, it is highly recommended.

To find out more about Bletchley Park visit their website at http://www.bletchleypark.org.