23 hours ago
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Ever fancied living in your very own slice of history?
Everyone has a list of things they’re looking for when it comes to finding a forever home. For some, it’s all about picking a house with plenty of outdoor space, while others prioritise things like location and nearby amenities.
And a select few favour properties with a rich and interesting backstory. For those buyers, a new listing in Oxfordshire might just tick all the right boxes.
Just an hour’s drive from London, in the market town of Bicester, lies a former World War Two decontamination bunker – designed to protect people from deadly gas attacks – that’s been converted into a two-bedroom home.
Aptly called ‘The Bunker’, the partially hidden home is located in the Garden Quarter in Bicester, a residential development created over the past decade on the former site of the historic RAF Caversfield base.
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Having been previously owned by the Ministry of Defence, the land was sold to developers City & Country in 2010. Subsequently, it was transformed into a flourishing neighbourhood, with 187 new homes built.
It features an exclusive selection of apartments, cottages, and houses set within 23 acres of parkland.
Sold as an ‘ideal location’ for commuters, the Garden Quarter is a rather sought-after area due to its proximity to both Bicester town centre and Bicester North Station.
On the market for £650,000 (more than twice the UK’s current average house price), The Bunker embodies the age-old saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.
Despite the stark red brick exterior, step inside, and you’re greeted with a serene open-plan home.
The property is set across two floors, featuring two bathrooms, a large open-plan kitchen/living area, a laundry room, bi-fold doors leading to a large private roof terrace, and a courtyard garden.
It features an ‘upside down’ living arrangement and is partially glass-fronted, with steel-shuttered openings at the entrance, which hint at its unique history.
According to the estate agents, Fine & Country, the house is a ‘lifestyle choice’, that oozes ‘luxurious modernity’.
They said: ‘Ultimately, The Bunker is a lifestyle choice. It offers architectural interest without compromise, privacy without isolation and connectivity without noise.
‘It’s a home for those who value design, light and a sense of place – where mornings begin quietly on the lower patio, evenings are spent on the terrace, and the rhythm of life feels considered, calm and distinctly individual.’
But all of that doesn’t come cheap, with a £650k price tag.
The average house price for a two-bedroom in Bicester is approximately £358,000, putting ‘The Bunker’ in the top range of homes available on the market.
You might also want to consider that the UK average is currently £371,042.
Things to do in Bicester
This small corner of Oxfordshire is, of course, best-known for Bicester Village, a luxury outlet with over 160 boutiques.
You can easily spend an entire day here, perusing the shops, cafe-hopping, or sipping cocktails like a VIP.
But if you’re not looking to upgrade your wardrobe, Bicester has a lot more to offer than just its shops.
In the town’s medieval centre in Church Street, you’ll find St Edburg, a Grade I listed church dating back to 850 AD. With stunning stained glass windows and impressive architecture, this is a great place to gather your thoughts before hitting the high street.
Market Square is the hub of Bicester. An 800-year-old tradition, a local market is still held here every Friday, while every second Thursday of the month, you’re invited to browse the best local produce at the Farmers’ Market.
Garth Park is another tranquil place in the town to unwind. Purchased by the local council in 1946, the cafe in the pavilion is a local favourite, and during the summer months, you’ll happen upon concerts and events.
And just a 30-minute drive away, you’ll find Blenheim Palace, arguably one of Britain’s most impressive and important estates.
England's cheapest place to buy a house...
If The Bunker is a little out of your price range, you might want to consider a more affordable option.
According to ONS’ latest figures on housing affordability the cheapest areas to buy in 2025 were Hyndburn in Lancashire and Hull in East Yorkshire.
Both had an affordability ratio of 4.1, while in Hull City Centre specifically, the average house price was £118,500 across 2025 – markedly cheaper than the situation across the rest of England (to the tune of £181,500).
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