Reply to: Area 51 (near Swindon)

[DaveB]

If it's the one I saw detailed in a "secret motorway turn offs" site a couple of years ago, it's simply a handy entrance onto the M4 for Charlie Boy, whose home Highgrove House is a few miles down the A road that goes under the motorway at that point.

Nothing to see here - move on. Oh, it's you sir, this way please, just drive through the farmer's gate down the track and you'll be on the motorway in no time. Good day ...

RAF Wellford. USAF Ammo store.

RAF Welford - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

EDIT : Meh, didnt read the thread, links already posted.

[OwlHoot]

Does anyone know what the secret junction off the M4 between 15 and 14 (east bound) leads to?

It's an unmarked junction (no signs at all) that leads to a gate (I can see it from the M4) that is sometimes guarded by what looks like military types.

I've looked on the fantastic Microsoft local live site.

Here is the secret junction onto and off the M4

Bing Maps - driving directions, routes, and traffic

Here's what it leads to:

Bing Maps - driving directions, routes, and traffic

No roads nearby (click the Road link). Map shows nothing.



I've been told by locals not to talk about it.

If it's the one I saw detailed in a "secret motorway turn offs" site a couple of years ago, it's simply a handy entrance onto the M4 for Charlie Boy, whose home Highgrove House is a few miles down the A road that goes under the motorway at that point.

Nothing to see here - move on. Oh, it's you sir, this way please, just drive through the farmer's gate down the track and you'll be on the motorway in no time. Good day ...

[BoredBloke]

Then it's obviously a biological weapons programme! Poisoned KFC chicken wings to drop on North Korea!

Surely in Korea it should be KFD - Korean Fried Dog

[Mich the Tester]

It was catering assets btw, nothing interesting

Then it's obviously a biological weapons programme! Poisoned KFC chicken wings to drop on North Korea!

[TimberWolf]

From the Wiki (provided by Churchill above)

The access road from the M4 is enigmatically signposted "Works Unit Only", but has the distinctive Red Border of a Defence Establishment.

Enough to get the Prawn's nose twitching.

Today it is one of the largest ammunition compounds for the United States Air Force in Western Europe for heavy munitions.

Hmm, big bombs.

On 1 September 1955 RAF Welford was again re-opened as a logistics site attached to the Third Air Force [United States] and was to remain in that role for the next 40 years.

With the deactivation of 3rd Air Force on 26 May 2004, the unit reported to the 38th Combat Support Wing at Sembach Annex, Germany. The 38 CSW was in turn deactivated and replaced by the 501st Combat Support Wing, with headquarters at RAF Alconbury.
It is usually at its busiest when the US government deploys bombers to a forward air station at RAF Fairford. Due to the specialized use of Welford, a significant amount of its World War II configuration remains, with large numbers of loop dispersment pads remaining, its T-2 Hangars still in use, and much of the perimeter track. Many wartime buildings are still in use, including several configurations of nissen huts mixed in with modern buildings.

Yep, area 51, near, and under, Swindon.

[Old Greg]

I expect it leads to the underground headquarters of the Strategic Steam Reserve. Strategic steam reserve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Churchill]

What is the purpose of those square concreted areas arranged as twin triangles around the road?

I assume you mean the old turning areas from when Welford had aircraft. RAF Welford - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[AtW]

You mean AtW's basement bedsit come server room?

[Benny]

What is the purpose of those square concreted areas arranged as twin triangles around the road?

[DimPrawn]

And that building in Birmingham with no windows.

You mean AtW's basement bedsit come server room?

[conned tractor]

I bet it's connected to that strange glass edifice on a hill overlooking Cheltenham.

And that building in Birmingham with no windows.

[xoggoth]

I bet it's connected to that strange glass edifice on a hill overlooking Cheltenham.

[TimberWolf]

Bump. Not seen this thread before Saw it being read by a 'guest'.

[bfg]

Os

These websites are the reason the Ordnance survey will in future be marking such places on the map. Pointless not to any more.

[TheMonkey]

It was catering assets btw, nothing interesting