14 Facts About The Doughnut

The Doughnut is the nickname given to the headquarters of the Government Communications Headquarters, a British cryptography and intelligence agency.

The Doughnut was too small for the number of staff at its completion, and a second building in a secret and undisclosed location in the 'Gloucestershire area' now accommodates staff from GCHQ.

The Doughnut is surrounded by car and bicycle parking in concentric rings, and is well protected by security fencing, guards, and CCTV systems.

Design of the Doughnut reflects GCHQ's intended new mode of work after the end of the Cold War, with its design facilitating talking among staff, and between them and the Director of GCHQ and his subordinates.

The creation of the Doughnut was the largest PFI project to date for the British government.

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The Doughnut is divided into three separate four-story structures, identical in design, and connected at the top and bottom.

The design of the Doughnut was nominated for an award to "highlight improvements to the built and landscaped environment" given by Cheltenham's Civic Society.

Structure of the Doughnut is designed to minimise any potential effect of a fire or a terrorist attack on the building; it includes independent power generators which can supply power to the facilities in an emergency.

The Doughnut is surrounded by car and bicycle parking in concentric rings, guarded by a two-metre metal fence and half a dozen vehicle checkpoints.

Facilities available to staff at the Doughnut include a 600-seat restaurant, cafes, shops, a gymnasium, and a prayer or quiet room.

The Doughnut was officially opened in 2004 by Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Doughnut has been visited three times by Charles, Prince of Wales, since its opening.

The Doughnut was already too small for the number of GCHQ staff at its completion, as a vast expansion in the number of employees had occurred as a consequence of the September 11 attacks in 2001.

The addition of a two-storey office block and a three-storey car park to the Doughnut was proposed in 2008, but eventually suspended in 2011.