Hut 9, Island Farm Former German POW Camp 198, Bridgend, Bridgend

Details

Accessibility

There is no car park or parking on site but it is advised to park in Bridgend town centre. Suggestions are either the Rhiw multi-storey car park at OSS SS 905796 or the parking on Brackla Street at OSS SS 907796, however both mean a walk of approx. 23 minutes to the camp. There is disability parking bays at both suggested car parks. Access to the venue is difficult as it is situated on uneven ground and as it is remote. The path to the venue is via a very rough footpath, surrounded by forestry and brambles. Contact the venue directly for further accessibility information.

Brief description

Hut 9 at The Island Farm Camp, Bridgend was originally built for female workers of the munitions factory in the town during World War II. However the women refused to live there so it was left abandoned until 1943 when American troops involved in the invasion of France needed a place to stay before heading over. Once they had left it was then used to house POWs (Prisoners of War) from Axis Power nations who were captured by Allied forces, mainly those from the German and Italian armies. The camp is also synonymous with the largest escape attempt by German POWs during the war, when 70 prisoners escaped from Hut 9 (the last remaining part of the Island Farm Camp left preserved) into Bridgend through tunnels dug underground on March 10th 1945. All of them were later recaptured, although some believe that might not have been the case.

Address

A48, Bridgend, CF31 3LG

Email

bookings@hut9.org.uk 

Phone

07840 041088

Website

http://www.hut9.org.uk/

Directions

The closest town to Hut 9 at The Island Farm Camp is Bridgend (1.5 miles).

From starting point OSS SS 906796, Turn Left down the hill heading West on The Rhiw Road. At the bottom of the road head straight over the bridge on Water Street. Then at the lights, Turn Right onto Angel Street, now heading North-West. At the end of Angel Street is a fork in the road at OSS SS 904797, here take the 1st Left so that you can then Turn Right onto Langenau Strasse /A473, heading South.

Continue on Langenau Strasse/A473 for 1.3 miles, before moving into the furthest lane to your Right before the next set of Traffic Lights at OSS SS 906793, so that you can prepare to Turn Right past the lights and onto Ewenney Road/B4265, heading South.

Follow Ewenney Road/B4265 straight for 0.4 miles until you reach the roundabout at OSS SS 906785. At the roundabout, Take the 3rd Exit onto Bypass Road/A48, heading West. Continue on Bypass Road/A48 for 0.4 miles, until you Turn Left onto Island Farm Road at OSS SS 902785. You can either park here if possible, although it is a residential street (and not best advisable) and walk to the gate or if on foot you can continue walking straight past Island Farm Road for less than 0.1 miles until you reach the gate at OSS SS 901785.

Opening Times

To visit Hut 9 you have to book through their volunteers via email, bookings@hut9.org.uk , or telephone at 07840 041088 when they open the site for visitors. Due to the condition of Hut 9 as a small heritage site, the volunteers make seasonal spots available to limited visitors as to protect the site. You can opt in to receive email updates of when spots open or alternatively join their Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/108034282547714 . 

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

There is no bus service to Hut 9 Island Farm Camp or available trains.

For further travel information in Wales please see: www.traveline.cymru/travel-info

Or call Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000

Amenities

There are no toilets or disability toilets on site at Hut 9 Island Farm Camp or amenities/food establishments.

You can however find plenty of toilets and disability toilets , eating establishments, banks, post offices, accommodation and shops in Bridgend.