Ordnance Survey’s hastily-constructed headquarters site at Chessington. Erected during the winter of 1942-43, this large complex of single-storey huts was Ordnance Survey’s headquarters for nearly 30 years until the move to Maybush in the late 1960s. Apart from Photo/Helio/Proving/Print and some drawing offices in Southampton (at London Road and OSO Crabwood), most of the organisation’s business was carried out here, including Ordnance Survey’s use of then-state-of-the-art computation equipment.
Although some computation functions took place in the early 70s, Ordnance Survey’s use of the buildings ceased shortly after and they were eventually demolished to make way for an industrial estate and housing. The Chessington World of Adventures theme park (formerly Chessington Zoo) is adjacent to the site.
The original buildings had curved roofs but the later additions were flat roofed.
Site layout plan of temporary buildings at Chessington, these may not all have been used by OS.
Crabtree printing press at Chessington 
Print Finishing equipment at Chessington 
Crosland guillotine at Chessington 
English Electric DEUCE computer 
English Electric DEUCE computer 
Corridor – old buildings 
Print Finishing equipment at Chessington 
Crabtree printing press, old buildings 
What appears to be a Christmas party at Chessington
Punched card sorter at Chessington
Last updated on Thursday 19 August 2021 by GaryReggae