Once a critical site of polar research, this British base was abandoned for over half a century shortly after opening. Today, it has taken on a second life as a heritage site and tourist hotspot
British tourists are travelling in droves to this long-forgotten outpost in the icy wilderness of Antarctica. Abandoned for 60 years, the tourists are describing it as the most haunting time capsule in the southern hemisphere.
Tucked away off the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula is Base Y. Constructed in the 1950s, the British base stands as evidence of the country’s post-Second World War push for polar research.
Operated by what is today the British Antarctic Survey, the base supported meteorological, geological, and glaciological studies and contributed to some of the UK’s earliest scientific efforts in the region. But in 1960 — just five years after opening — the base was abandoned. It comes after news that an abandoned UK Butlin’s site is now a seaside town’s ‘hell hole’ hotel.
Luckily, Antarctica’s extreme cold and dry conditions helped preserve the station. Inside, visitors will find neatly stacked mugs, logbooks laid open on desks, and heavy coats left hanging. One visitor noted that the interior “feels like someone just stepped out for a walk”.
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Today, Base Y is listed as a Historic Site and Monument under the Antarctic Treaty, recognised for its cultural value. Small groups of visitors are allowed entry but only under careful supervision.
According to Wildfoot Travel, the sudden interest in Base Y signals British travellers shifting interests to prioritise heritage and once-in-a-lifetime destinations. “Base Y offers a powerful sense of connection — not just to history, but to British resilience and scientific legacy,” said a Wildfoot spokesperson.