Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Can we call this place the UK's Area 51?
This week we take a look at the UK's dark sectets from a very different era. How did this shape what we see now in the Landscape. Lets walk along the perimeter and chat about a rather uncomfortable era of history.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCJV1EC8Mf87PpQYo9eUfd3Q/join OR Patreon: patreon.com/PaulWhitewick
Videos To Watch Next:
youtu.be/kTYxEQ3Cmig - Stonehenge Mystery.
youtu.be/PwFWxR_hDdY - The Men Britain wanted to forget.
Usual notices:
1. We are not historians or Academics. We enjoy researching and learning, and with that we enjoy sharing our journeys with you. That said, sources for information often listed below with credits.
2. Corrections. Whilst we make every attempt to not include any errors, research, and piecing stories together from dozens of sources sometimes leads to one or two. I will note here if any are found:
Errors and Notes:
1. All information gather from online sources and the Porton Down website. All sources in the public domain listed below.
2. Fleetwood / Blackpool. Yup the Trawler would have ported at Fleetwood. Most reports suggested at the time, Blackpool. So perhaps they were stationed there? I chose to use Blackpool in keeping with the reports.
3. For those suggesting you can film. Please consider this:
A few thoughts...
1. MoD byelaws
The Ministry of Defence has the power to make site-specific byelaws that:
A. Restrict photography and filming
B. Apply even when you are outside the fence
C. Are enforceable where clearly signed
If a sign says filming is prohibited, that prohibition can be legally binding
2. Terrorism Act (Section 58)
Collecting information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism
That includes, photographs, video, detailed observation.
3 Moral side of things:
Even where legal grey areas exist. Filming towards a sensitive site after being told not to deliberately testing boundaries, relying on “internet legal advice”, …is ethically weak, especially for a documentary maker trading on trust and credibility.
Credit and thanks for assets
Long UK Maps: mapswire.com/maps/united-kingdom
Filter: Snowman Digital and Beachfront
B-Roll Maps: Google Maps and Google Earth Studio
Maps: National Library of Scotland Maps:
OS Maps. Media License.
Stock Footage: Storyblocks
Music: Storyblocks, epidemicsound and artlist
Old Map: NLS - nls.uk
Sources:
theguardian.com/uk/1999/nov/02/freedomofinformation.politics
bbc.co.uk/insideout/east/series10/week9_aerial_spraying.shtml
theguardian.com/politics/2002/apr/21/uk.medicalscience
theguardian.com/politics/2002/apr/21/uk.medicalscience
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorset_Biological_Warfare_Experiments
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Cauldron
https://archive.ph/20120630134044/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=P8&xml=/health/2005/09/20/nplag19.xml
https://archive.ph/20120630134044/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=P8&xml=/health/2005/09/20/nplag19.xml
greydynamics.com/secret-bases-porton-down-u-k
gov.uk/government/news/the-truth-about-porton-down#:%7E:text=Alien%20Bodies,grown%20cannabis%20at%20Porton%20Down
Chapters:
00:00 - Area 51
02:05 - Operation Cauldron
05:06 - The Route In
08:25 - Level Up
09:32 - Aerial
12:08 - Secrey Breaks
14:00 - Today
Can we call this place the UK's Area 51?
This week we take a look at the UK's dark sectets from a very different era. How did this shape what we see now in the Landscape. Lets walk along the perimeter and chat about a rather uncomfortable era of history.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCJV1EC8Mf87PpQYo9eUfd3Q/join OR Patreon: patreon.com/PaulWhitewick
Videos To Watch Next:
youtu.be/kTYxEQ3Cmig - Stonehenge Mystery.
youtu.be/PwFWxR_hDdY - The Men Britain wanted to forget.
Usual notices:
1. We are not historians or Academics. We enjoy researching and learning, and with that we enjoy sharing our journeys with you. That said, sources for information often listed below with credits.
2. Corrections. Whilst we make every attempt to not include any errors, research, and piecing stories together from dozens of sources sometimes leads to one or two. I will note here if any are found:
Errors and Notes:
1. All information gather from online sources and the Porton Down website. All sources in the public domain listed below.
2. Fleetwood / Blackpool. Yup the Trawler would have ported at Fleetwood. Most reports suggested at the time, Blackpool. So perhaps they were stationed there? I chose to use Blackpool in keeping with the reports.
3. For those suggesting you can film. Please consider this:
A few thoughts...
1. MoD byelaws
The Ministry of Defence has the power to make site-specific byelaws that:
A. Restrict photography and filming
B. Apply even when you are outside the fence
C. Are enforceable where clearly signed
If a sign says filming is prohibited, that prohibition can be legally binding
2. Terrorism Act (Section 58)
Collecting information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism
That includes, photographs, video, detailed observation.
3 Moral side of things:
Even where legal grey areas exist. Filming towards a sensitive site after being told not to deliberately testing boundaries, relying on “internet legal advice”, …is ethically weak, especially for a documentary maker trading on trust and credibility.
Credit and thanks for assets
Long UK Maps: mapswire.com/maps/united-kingdom
Filter: Snowman Digital and Beachfront
B-Roll Maps: Google Maps and Google Earth Studio
Maps: National Library of Scotland Maps:
OS Maps. Media License.
Stock Footage: Storyblocks
Music: Storyblocks, epidemicsound and artlist
Old Map: NLS - nls.uk
Sources:
theguardian.com/uk/1999/nov/02/freedomofinformation.politics
bbc.co.uk/insideout/east/series10/week9_aerial_spraying.shtml
theguardian.com/politics/2002/apr/21/uk.medicalscience
theguardian.com/politics/2002/apr/21/uk.medicalscience
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorset_Biological_Warfare_Experiments
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Cauldron
https://archive.ph/20120630134044/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=P8&xml=/health/2005/09/20/nplag19.xml
https://archive.ph/20120630134044/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=P8&xml=/health/2005/09/20/nplag19.xml
greydynamics.com/secret-bases-porton-down-u-k
gov.uk/government/news/the-truth-about-porton-down#:%7E:text=Alien%20Bodies,grown%20cannabis%20at%20Porton%20Down
Chapters:
00:00 - Area 51
02:05 - Operation Cauldron
05:06 - The Route In
08:25 - Level Up
09:32 - Aerial
12:08 - Secrey Breaks
14:00 - Today
