It was a colossal task to build MOD Abbey Wood, with workers having to install 30,000 light fittings, 2,600 doors to 13 buildings including the unique croissant-shaped structures that appeared on the 120,000 sqm site and within its 3km (1.86 mile) perimeter.

To avoid becoming a faceless base a decision was taken to install a lake as protection rather than a high fence. Filled with 30 million litres of water, the lake also acts as flood defence and a haven for local wildlife including cormorants, newts and kingfishers.

Her Majesty the Queen opening Abbey Wood in 1996

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By the time the site, chosen ahead of Solihull, Sunderland and South Wales, was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on July 19, 1996, MOD Abbey Wood was regarded as an asset for the region and as a welcome boost to the local economy and jobs, veteran local journalist Tim Davey says.

Tim, who worked on the Bristol Post and Western Daily Press for over 40 years, remembers:

“People saw it the same way others saw MI5, GCHQ or like the UK’s version of the Pentagon.

“That is why weird stories abounded, such as there being crocodiles in the lake and missile launchers under the atriums.

“We heard about all sorts of staff facilities such as a dentist, a swimming pool, even a supermarket and to this day I don’t know how many are true – if any!

“These found their way into the news – people wanted to believe the myths. At the time it was a scheme of huge magnitude, very futuristic and had a mystery about it.

“There was some grumbling locally around the planning consents and, as I recall, from anti-war protesters, too. However, I think in general people saw it then – and now – as a big plus for the community.”

Much of this intrigue centred around the buildings futuristic design, a concept developed by local architect John Rudge who was determined the project complemented rather than alienated the surrounding community.

While incorrect rumours of an Olympic swimming pool were rife, it is true to say the site does feature a gym, hairdresser, shop, coffee stations and restaurant.

John, of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), said:

“As an architect it was phenomenally exciting. Back then it was the largest project that was available for design and construction in the whole of the UK.

“For us, the key factors were very simple. We wanted to build something visually stunning, with ground-breaking energy and environmental performance that met stringent energy and carbon dioxide targets.

“The look of the site was a major factor in making it feel like part of the local community. That is why we battled so fiercely against there being a fence around the lake, which we believed was a good enough defence – and we won the argument.”

Initially, like all large-scale projects, there was some local opposition, and in truth many staff within the MOD were not keen about the development as it meant uprooting their families and moving to this unknown territory in the South West.

Pete Ginnever, who still works on the site today, had the job of ‘facilitating’ the move for staff who were being transferred from sites including Portsmouth, Weymouth, Bath and London.

“It’s fair to say people were reluctant to move. You can understand there was an awful lot of uncertainty. Thankfully people responded to the working environment very well.”

Helen Wheatley from the Cotswolds, James Millar from South Gloucestershire and Sean Cutler from North Somerset all have fond memories of coming to work at the site in the 1990s and have been so happy they are still here!

“When you arrived, there was definitely a bit of a ‘wow’ factor. The fountains were going and all the buildings were glistening and shiny,” Helen said.

James said: “It was a completely different working environment for the MOD. It was open plan, computers with email, and you were sat next to your boss!”

Sean added: “When I arrived for my interview it was a mud bath really. When I arrived having got a job I was astounded by the change. It was almost space age!”

Abbey Wood Fast Facts

Construction: begins September 1993
Cost of site: £254 million
Size of entire site: 40 Hectares (98 acres) the equivalent of 50 football pitches
Volume of water in the lake: 30 million litres
Original capacity: 5,500
Usual capacity (pre Covid): 8,500
Perimeter of the site: 3km (1.86 miles)
Trees planted: 5,000
Doors: 2,600
Light fittings: 30,000

MOD Guard Wayne Blake has seen much over the years and but also one of the few who gets to enjoy the site at its most tranquil.

“Abbey Wood is a different beast at night. It’s a wildlife sanctuary, you get badgers, foxes, rabbits and even deer. I have seen the space station going over and meteor showers – it’s an amazing site.”

And as someone who has witnessed many things over the years including searching for a missing pet skunk and student japes Wayne has many stories to tell.

“Many if the stories aren’t for a public audience but I will say that just before the Queen visited a muddy bank was covered in hessian bags and painted green.

“Many of the guards refer to one of the original buildings as ‘Spooky Farm’ because there have been sightings of ghosts.”

Wildlife

MOD Abbey Wood is surrounded by a surprising amount of wildlife. Splatts Wood is a small beautiful and peaceful area which is managed as a nature reserve for biodiversity. It was once part of a much larger area of semi-natural ancient woodland. Evidence suggests the woods date back 400 years with some trees estimated to be more than 150 years old. As well as a resident community of small mammals, woodland and water birds there maybe even a chance to spot something rarer including a kingfisher, nesting kestrels, a heron, bank voles, grass snakes and possibly even a visiting cormorant.

What local leaders/politicians say about MOD Abbey Wood:

Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke:

“It is no secret I am passionate about defence having served as an Army reservist in Afghanistan. The hard work undertaken at MOD Abbey Wood over the past 25 years was, and continues to be, crucial to the success and reputation of our Armed Forces. I look forward to it remaining an asset to our community for many years to come.”

Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, said:

“Congratulations to all at MOD Abbey Wood for everything they have achieved over the last quarter of a century.

“With significant investment in Defence and the need to constantly update to meet the threat, we look forward to the next 25 years of the employees on the site supporting our servicemen and women across the globe.”