Battle of Britain 86 comes to Uxbridge on 19 September

Seventy-six steps lead beneath the Battle of Britain Bunker Exhibition and Visitor Centre to the wartime Operations Room. On Saturday 19 September, that underground setting will form part of Battle of Britain 86: The 15 Nations, an all-ages commemoration in Uxbridge beginning at 10am.

Hillingdon Council says tickets are available through the official Battle of Britain Bunker event page, although the published information does not specify a price. The programme is aimed at families, military enthusiasts and visitors interested in the international contribution to the Battle of Britain.

Three tours descend into the Operations Room

The underground Operations Room served as the headquarters of No. 11 Group Fighter Command and played a pivotal role in the defence of Britain in 1940. Themed tours at 10am, 11.45am and 3pm will examine accounts of how people from 15 countries helped resist the threat of invasion during the aerial conflict.

A separate In Their Own Words tour begins at 1pm. Led by author and historian Dilip Amin, it will use first-hand testimonies to explore what life was like during the battle.

Visitors who do not descend into the bunker can take a virtual tour from the visitor centre. Exhibitions and living-history displays featuring RAF personnel and WAAF officers will also run during the day.

Historians trace an international wartime effort

The Speaker Series will focus on contributions associated with New Zealand, Ireland, the United States and the Caribbean. Hillingdon Council says the talks will bring forward lesser-known accounts of courage, sacrifice and cooperation, placing the British campaign within its wider international setting.

At 11.15am, a dedication ceremony will be held beside the flagpoles outside the visitor centre. A newly updated interpretation board titled 15 Nation Flags will be unveiled for the anniversary.

Councillor Wayne Bridges, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents Services, said the event would connect the borough’s wartime history with stories of international collaboration at one of its principal historic sites.

Choir performances, drama and activities for children

The visitor-centre programme includes live performances by the Friends Community Choir. Younger visitors can join flag-themed craft sessions, try a climbing wall or attend drop-in performances of Crossing Oceans and Continents by the interactive drama group Freshwater Theatre.

These activities sit alongside the historical talks, tours and re-enactments, allowing families to choose between scheduled sessions and displays that can be visited throughout the day. Classic British food and refreshments will be served at The Café at the Bunker.

Ticket details to check before travelling

Battle of Britain 86: The 15 Nations takes place on Saturday 19 September at the Battle of Britain Bunker Exhibition and Visitor Centre in Uxbridge. The programme starts at 10am, with the first underground tour beginning at the same time.

Tickets can be booked through the venue’s official event page. The council notice does not state the ticket price or provide transport and accessibility details, so visitors should check those points and current ticket availability before making their journey.

Source: Hillingdon Council