At home, we like to feel safe. Like many citizens, you may even have invested in that video doorbell to control who rings your doorbell – especially while watching Netflix! However, some places in Britain have gone to even greater lengths to reinforce buildings’ security and prevent various safety threats.
Although you won’t be able to visit some of them unless you work there, at least you can see these places from outside, like the MI6 building, during your journey in London. To go a bit further, here are some of the most secure buildings in the UK that are equipped with highly secure entry systems – at a glance:
- Palace of Westminster
- The SIS Building
- Jewel House at the Tower of London
- Bank of England gold vault
- Bold Lane Car Park
- HavenCo
- The 1960s Bar
Let’s dive in!
Palace of Westminster
If we had to start with one place, we’d go to London straight away and mention the Palace of Westminster. The home of British democracy is protected by a dedicated army of police with stringent security measures: visitors are searched, their belongings are checked, and they must present proof of identity. The Houses of Parliament conduct security searches, which can take up to 45 minutes to complete.
The SIS Building
Since its opening in 1994, the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) Building, also known as the MI6 Building, has served as the headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service. Located on the Embankment section of the River Thames next to Vauxhall Bridge, the building is one of London’s most unusual designs.
Because what’s happening inside is secret, its security is increased with compartmentalised areas that you can’t enter without security scans or escorts. Additionally, mobile phones and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside and must be stored in a dedicated area at the entrances.
Jewel House at the Tower of London
The Jewel House is a vault where the British Crown Jewels are kept safe. It is located in the Waterloo Block at the Tower of London and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994. In the collection, there are crowns, sceptres and other precious jewels from different English kings and queens.
The jewels are protected by proof glass, and the Tower Guard and Yeoman Warders maintain continual protection through a separate control centre. It’s designed to be so safe that £4.5 million has been invested in fire safety and security.
Bank of England gold vault
The Bank of England is the second-largest custodian of gold in the world, after the New York Federal Reserve. More than 4,600 tons of gold are stored in the Bank of England’s gold vault, comprising around 400,000 bars of gold worth over £200 billion.
The vault walls are bombproof, and its security system is so complex that it requires voice recognition, 3-foot keys, and other security measures that aren’t even published.
Bold Lane Car Park
Believe it or not, this car park is one of the most secure buildings in the UK – in Derbyshire. Why is it so secure? Due to the high crime rate in the area, the car park is equipped with high-tech security equipment, allowing each driver to receive a unique barcode ticket synchronised with their designated driving space.
Not to mention the other systems: a movement sensor under each car that can trigger an alarm if moved without permission, and 190 surveillance cameras.
HavenCo
Data company HavenCo was founded in 2000 in Rough Towers, a World War II defensive facility. The firm used to be located in the North Sea off the coast of Britain, where only authorised personnel, investors, and members of Britain’s royal family were allowed. It was shut down in 2008 with “no clear explanation as to why and what data was stored here”.
The 1960s Bar
The 1960s Bar, located within the Burlington bunker at RAF Corsham in Wiltshire, England, was once the most protected pub due to its 30-metre underground location. Built during the Cold War in the 50s, Burlington is a 186,000-square-metre base which was decommissioned in the late 1980s. Today, it is still maintained as a refuge by the government in the event of a nuclear attack or for hiding.
Who knew the incredible stories behind these safe places? There are undoubtedly plenty of bizarre things to discover in Britain!
If you’re curious enough to take a look at these threat-proof facilities yourself, add them to your bucket list next time you’re wandering in London, or watch them from the comfort of your car if you’re taking one of our London private tours.
