Enjoy a private visit to the iconic St Vincent’s Hall in Grantham, WWll Bomber Command HQ,  where Sir Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris waited with engineer and inventor Sir Barnes Wallis to hear the outcome of the Dams Raid in May 1943.

We have four talks organised, the first on Wednesday 16 May, commemorating the actual day 75 years ago that 617 Squadron took off heading for Germany.

See unforgettable WW2 Bomber Command memorabilia by kind permission of owner, host and guide Graham Jeal.

St Vincent’s Hall is now a private house, so our tours are a rare opportunity to step back to desperate times when innovations such as Barnes Wallis’ famed bouncing bomb changed the course of the war. 

A monument in the grounds marks the spot where radio messages were received confirming the success of the Dambusters raid on the night of 16th – 17th May. The signal was then relayed to the White House in Washington, where Sir Winston Churchill was discussing the American contribution to the war effort.

Inside, a plaque commemorates the use of the building by 5 Group RAF Bomber Command from 1937 to December 1945. During that time American forces took over St Vincent’s Hall to co-ordinate allied aviation activity for D-Day in May 1944.

Downstairs is the Sir Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris Room and the Guy Gibson Room while signed portraits of men such as Barnes Wallis and pictures of Lancaster bombers dominate the walls in almost every room.

Timings:

11am – arrive at St Vincent’s, St Vincent’s Road, Grantham NG31 9EL

11.30am – visit commences and will last approximately 1 hour

12.30 – visit ends

Parking.  There is no car parking available at St Vincent’s.  There is on street parking in St Vincent’s Road.

Meeting.  On arrival please ring the intercom at the gate of St vincents Hall and then walk up the short drive to the house where you will be met. 

Refreshments:  There will be coffee/tea and refreshments before the tour starts. 

Ticket’s.  Please ensure that you bring your ticket with you.