And now for something completely different on the 5th October 2025

Hi Everyone,

We are proposing this as a possible drive to do for our first Autumn Sunday Drive on Sunday 5th October, which we hope will be of interest to several of you :crossed_fingers:

We are proposing to do a drive from Winchester Services on the M3 (Northbound) to The Battle of Britain Bunker in Hillingdon Middlesex (formerly RAF Uxbridge) to view the very place where Sir Winston Churchill spoke those iconic words “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” , as he emerged from the bunker, after observing the defence battle in the in the Opreations Room deep under ground, where the walls are 1.5m thick concrete.

I did this tour a week ago, whilst in area, as its near where I grew up and it was a fascinating tour and it was great to see the actual seat Chrichill sat in to watch the war in motion from above the operations room.

The plan is to do the drive,which is about 1.5 hours and via Windsor Great Park, so a scenic Route and view of Windsor Castle to wave to the King, if the Royal Standard is flying that day :slightly_smiling_face:

Depending on take up by members, as we need ten people to qualify for the group discount, and also availablity of The Bunker to provide a guide on this day, so your thoughts would be appreciated.

Please reply to this post soonest, so we can gauge interest, which will also enable is to liaise with The Bunker to obtain the group discount.

PLEASE NOTE: The are 70 steps down to the Bunker Opreations Room, so be sure you are happy to do there steps which are not all in one flight but broken by a landing, so rest points are available.

However, there is also a lovely cafe and outside seating area in the beautiful grounds of what was RAF Uxbridge.

Also, check your MX-5 is ULEZ Compliant, as Hillingdon is located in the ULEZ ZONE :roll_eyes:

Best Regards

Team Solent

Hi Mal,

The Bunker is definitely well worth a visit!

I live five minutes away from it.

Count Linda and me in for the visit on 5th Oct but not the drive.

We can meet you at there if you give me an ETA.

Regards

Richard & Linda

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Hi Mal,

Yes, Angela and myself are interested in this tour.

Cheers,
Ron😎

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Hi Mal
We’d be interested in this. We’d either join you from Winchester or pick you up somewhere around Basingstoke

Thanks
Judith & Alastair

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Hi Mal,
Sounds interesting, please add us to list
Regards
Howard & Julie

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Many thanks for the responses thus far. It is looking promising, as we have the minimum of twm people requirement now.So I will go ahead and try and arrange the visit.

There is still room for more members to join us, so please feel free to add your name to the list by replying to this post👍

Looks very interesting, sadly its within the ulez zone.

Hi John,

Yes,it is within the ULEZ Zone but my Mk3.5 is ULEZ Exempt, so Patricia’s being newer should also be exempt :thinking:
You can check your vehicle on the Transport for London Website at;

Regards

Mal

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Thanks Mal,
Yes Patricia’s MX-5 does meet the ulez, good news, however because of patricias bad hip & knee she would be unable to do the steps.

Hi Mal

Add me to the list please.

Regards, Nigel

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Hi Mal, Kevin and I would like to join you for this but since we’re not that far (Twickenham) from the site, perhaps we could arrange to meet you all somewhere on the way?
Best regards
Sandra

Hi Everyone,

By way of an update, here is a list of those wishing to partake in The Bunker Visit on the 5th October 2025;

  1. Mal & Serena
  2. Linda & Richard - will meet us there, as live close
  3. Ron & Angie
  4. Judith & Alistair - will join us on somewhere route TBA!
  5. Howard & Julie
  6. Nigel H
  7. Sandra & Kevin - will join us on somewhere route TBA!
  8. Charli & Don
  9. Wendy & Martin
  10. Diane & Terry
  11. Chris & peter Fowler
  12. Patricia & John Wheeler
  13. Emma & James
  14. Lynn & Roger Mead

Feel free to correct me, if you spot any errors or ommisions :wink:

Best Regards

Team Solent

2 Likes

Wendy and I would like to join you Mal
Martin

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Mal, Don and I very interested in this trip please. Charlie

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Many thanks, Charli & Don and Wendy & Martin. You are on the list.

Regards

Mal

Hi Mal
Please add Terry & Myself to the list
Manythanks
Di xx

Hi Mal
Sounds an interesting trip. Please include myself and Chris.
Regards
Pete and Chris

Hi Diane,Terry, Chris & Peter,

It will be great to have you all ong for this one and I have duly addrd your names to the list.

I have still not heard back from The Bunker to date :confused: But will ring them tomorrow, in order to progress things.

Best Regards

Mal

Hi Mal

We’ve not done a trip with the mx5oc yet but would love to get involved in this drive and visit. Please put my wife and I down to attend!

Kindest Regards
James & Emma

1 Like

Hi Emma & James,

You are both on the list and we would be delighted to have you along for this visit.

Regards

Mal