The what and why of Station W
Station W was built by the British in 1956 for research into geology, meteorology, and local surveying. It is one of the few Antarctic stations that has remained relatively unchanged since its construction, giving you a glimpse into the living conditions of Antarctic scientists during the drafting of the Antarctic Treaty. The station became an Antarctic Historic Site and Monument in 2009.
Picture by Jamie Scherbeijn
Station W and what you can see there
Though we cannot always land at Station W due to the area’s steep and slippery rocks, we also offer scenic Zodiac cruises around the area. The waters near Station W are usually great places to look for seals. Station W itself offers numerous well-preserved artifacts from its earlier days, along with modest grounds to explore, though sometimes a headlamp may be useful here.
Picture by Arjen Drost
The historic remains of Station W
From radio equipment to survey books, astronomical logs to long-johns, Station W is filled with an assortment of remains from the 1950s. You can see a Hoover washing machine, a calendar from 1957, even bottles of gin, whiskey, and Heinz mayonnaise, among other things. Maintained by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, Station W lets you step back into an earlier time.
Picture by Rolf Stange
Main image by Rolf Stange