The Government Communications Headquarters Situated on Beautiful North Cornwall Cliffs

A few weeks back we were walking along the north Cornwall coastal path when we came to quite a climb! See photo above - there were many steps that seemed to go on and on. But such is life!

As we climbed we saw the unexpected - lots of satellite dishes! Not having walked this particular stretch of coast before I wasn't sure what all of this was. Then I remembered the GCHQ Bude.

I have now read a little about this. I discovered that there are actually 21 satellite antennas. 

This is one branch of the (UK) Government Communications Headquarters. 

Its agents gather information by secretly listening in to phone conversations, satellite signals and reading e-mails. They decode messages, monitor communication between people, and ensure that the Government's secrets remain secret.

According to Wikipedia the antennae are generally orientated towards satellites of the INTELSAT , Intersputnik, and INMARSAT communications networks over the  Atlantic Ocean, Africa and the Indian Ocean, as well as towards the Middle East and mainland Europe. 

Between 2011 and 2013, a torus antenna  was installed, which is capable of receiving signals of up to thirty-five satellites simultaneously. 

From its inception, the station has been an Anglo-American co-operative project. It was the United States NSA who paid for most of the infrastructure and the technology.

So, be careful what you say, you never know who might be listening ...