The United Kingdom was the third country to develop and detonate an atomic bomb. Under the guise of Basic High Explosives Research this was achieved in a remarkably short period of time between January 1947 and October 1952. Knowledge about the design of the atomic bomb was known to a handful of British scientists who had worked on the American led, wartime Manhattan Project. To translate this know-how recorded in notebooks, or held in the minds of the scientists, to a practical weapon required purpose-built research facilities and novel industrial plant.

In comparison with the growing number of published studies of early United States’ nuclear weapons test and manufacturing sites, the histories of Britain’s early atomic weapons research establishments remain largely unknown. This paper will explore, through the places where these events happened, the development of Britain’s first atomic bomb and the subsequent trials that led to the deployment of Blue Danube with the Royal Air Force.

The early years of Britain’s bomb project were characterised by a period of economic austerity, but also an imperative to bring the project to fruition as quickly as possible. Areas of existing government research establishments, such as the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, and Fort Halstead, Kent, were adapted to the project’s specialised needs and where necessary purpose-built structures were constructed. These were places where scientific concepts were tested and translated into physical components for trials, further refinement, and assembly to create an atomic bomb. The trials also allowed the scientists and technicians to acquire the necessary familiarity to assemble a bomb, to conduct field trials, and to pass this knowledge on to service colleagues who would be responsible for the deployment of the weapon.