THE BROAD SANCTUARY BUNKER

A bunker constructed in 1953 on the site of the proposed Colonial Office (never implemented - we don’t have any Colonies any more!).


Originally the site of Westminster Hospital and the Stationary Office, and vacant until the construction of the  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in 1986. The site of the working shaft from which the Whitehall Tunnel extension to the Rotundas was excavated.

Broad Sanctuary bunker under the QEII Conference Centre The Broad Sanctuary site in ‘The Evening Standard’ of 3rd February 1978. The bunker occupies the right hand half under the demolished basement of the Westminster Hospital. The single storey buildings and their parking were used by Post Office Telephones. The left hand half is the site of the demolished Stationary Office and was used for Parliamentary parking. Big Ben, the Middlesex Guildhall and Westminster Abbey in the background.

The Broad Sanctuary site in ‘The Evening Standard’ of 3rd February 1978. The bunker occupies the right hand half under the demolished basement of the Westminster Hospital. The single storey buildings and their parking were used by Post Office Telephones. The left hand half is the site of the demolished Stationary Office and was used for Parliamentary parking. Big Ben, the Middlesex Guildhall and Westminster Abbey in the background. The white building is I think  a public toilets.

The Broad Sanctuary bunker in red, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in grey tone.

Bunker in red tone. Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in grey tone.

Source: Ordnance Survey.

The eastern bunker emergency exit and ventilation grille on ‘United Nation’s Green’

The eastern bunker emergency exit and ventilation grille on ‘United Nation’s Green’ in front of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

The view down the staircase from the doors on Little Sanctuary on the eastern facade of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. The notice reads “Parliamentary Library Users - Have you checked in?”

The view down the staircase from the doors on Little Sanctuary on the eastern facade of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in 2020. The notice reads “Parliamentary Library Users - Have you checked in?”. The bunker was being used as an ancillary  book/document store. This use ceased in 2025.

The view though the ground level grill round the eastern vent shaft showing a staircase down below the rising hatch. The hatch is not waterproof and rainwater is leaking through the edges and down the walls and staircase.

The view though the ground level grill round the eastern vent shaft showing a staircase down below the rising hatch. The hatch is not waterproof and rainwater is leaking through the edges and down the walls and staircase.

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