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Wartime Radio Station Sells for Nearly Half a Million
22 Oct
Summary
- Criggion Radio Station, a key WWII and Cold War site, is for sale.
- It transmitted messages to warships and connected Britain globally.
- The station is listed for £495,000, though original equipment is gone.
Criggion Radio Station, a significant British wartime communications hub, is now available for purchase at nearly half a million pounds. Located in Powys, this former station played a critical role in transmitting messages to warships and submarines during World War Two and the Cold War.
Initially established in 1942 as a backup to a facility in Rugby, Criggion was chosen for its isolated, flat terrain and proximity to Breidden Hill. It featured extensive buried copper wire and Eiffel-style towers, representing a remarkable feat of engineering. Staff even utilized amphibious vehicles to maintain operations during floods.
The station relayed vital messages from the Admiralty, reportedly including orders to sink enemy warships like the Scharnhorst. Its busiest period was during the Cold War, when it broadcast Very Low Frequency (VLF) messages to Britain's submarine fleet and handled civilian traffic before satellite communication.
Technological advancements rendered its Shortwave buildings obsolete by the 1970s, though some parts remained in use until 2003. The site later became a target for urban explorers, with calls made in 2014 to preserve it as a historical attraction.
Currently, part of the former station, known as Shortwave A, is on the market for £495,000. While neither the original radio equipment nor the iconic towers exist, the sale represents a new chapter for this historic site. One former employee, Robert Pearce, now operates an amateur radio station from his section of the former site, preserving a connection to its past.
