Bletchley Park, U.K.

  Bletchley Park, located near Milton Keynes to the north of London, was the main centre of the British code-breaking efforts during the WWII. Many people, myself included, may have first come to know of Bletchley Park thanks to one of its most famous members, Alan Turing --- the brilliant mathematician and computer pioneer. Alan Turing played a crucial part in breaking the German Enigma codes, consequently helped to shorten the war and save thousands of lives.

Over the past few years there has been some major restoration of the buildings at Bletchley Park, and exhibits put in place. As we were driving up north from Surrey to the Peak District, we thought it was a good idea to see Bletchley Park on the way.

We really enjoyed the visit. There is so much to see that one can easily spend over half a day at the site. At first we didn't see very much specifically about Alan Turing in the exhibits. In fact, we almost missed the Turing gallery in Block B. It is true that one must be reminded that the codebreaking work at Bletchley Park had involved the effort of some 12,000 persons during the war.

The life and codebreaking work of Alan Turing is portrayed in the forthcoming biopic, The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.

The Mansion, Bletchley Park.

Ground floor of the Mansion --- arranged as an intelligence office in WWII.

Library inside the Mansion.

One of the several cars on display in the garage. This particular one was featured in the 2001 film Enigma.

In Hut 8.

Alan Turing's office in Hut 8.

Alan Turing's office in Hut 8.

A working replica of the Bombe machine used for deciphering Enigma-coded messages, displayed in Block B. The original machines were mostly destroyed after the war.

Slate statue of Alan Turing with an Enigma machine.

Slate statue of Alan Turing.

An exhibit in the Alan Turing gallery in Block B.