Czechs in Exile

Places of Interest in the UK

The following places in the UK are all linked with Czechoslovak people in some way, most of them are particularly connected to the Czechoslovak government in exile during the second world war. This government was formed in the United Kingdom by the former President Edvard Beneš.

For the first year of the war this government was based solely in London, but at the height of the blitz many of its personnel were moved for their own safety to the villages of Wingrave and Aston Abbotts in Buckinghamshire.

• Cholmondeley Castle
  Czechoslovak troops were encamped in the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire from July until October 1940.
  
  
• Chester Cathedral
  The cathedral for Cheshire diocese has a memorial to the Czechoslovak soldiers who were encamped in Cheshire in 1940.
  
• Addington House
  Residence of the Czechoslovak Intelligence personnel during the war.
  
  
• Hockliffe Radio Station
  Secret radio station used for Czech transmissions to embassies, resistance and parachutists.
  
  
• Benes's House Putney
  Edvard Beneš and his wife stayed at this house in Putney, London at the beginning of the war.
  
  
• Aston Abbotts Abbey
  Aston Abbotts Abbey became home for President Edvard Beneš during his government-in-exile's stay in Wingrave and Aston Abbotts, after they were moved from the house in Putney, London.
  
  
• National House West Hampstead
  The Czechoslovak National House at West Hampstead was a hostel for Czechoslovak refugees, and is now a restaurant and bar serving Czech and Slovak food and drinks.
  
  
• Norduck Drive
  Adjacent to Aston Abbotts Abbey, Nissen huts were built on Norduck drive to provide accomodation for Czechoslovak troops and eventually tents for German prisoners of war.
  
  
• Aston Abbotts School
  Provided education facilities for local and Czech children during WWII, then operated as a restaurant after its closure in 1978 and now a private home.
  
  
• Aston Abbotts Church
  The parish church of Aston Abbotts hosts occassional Czechoslovak memorial services.  In the grounds are planted some roses from Lidice.
  
• Wingrave Cross Bus Shelter
  Donated by President Beneš in 1944, a brick built bus shelter on the A413 provides a lasting reminder of past times.
  
  
• Wingrave Manor
  Home of the families of officials from President Beneš's private office, a Rothschild house that is now run as a MacIntyre School.
  
  
• Wingrave Church
  Wingrave Church although not directly used by the government-in-exile contains some more modern day artifacts relating to this time.
  
  
• Wingrave Green Bench
  This bench on Wingrave Green was donated in 1998 by Václav Havel during his 4 day visit to the United Kingdom.
  
  
• Abernant Lake Hotel
  Home to the Czechoslovak State School from 1943 to 1945, teaching Czech refugee children.