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The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

March 25, 2023 | Tagged: United Kingdom

Dark Tourism in the Essex countryside, Kelvedon Hatch, Britain's Top Secret Nuclear Cold War Bunker, just 20 miles from the centre of London.
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

buy me a coffee

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How deep is Kelvedon Hatch Bunker?

The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Cold War Nuclear Bunker was built between 1952 and 1953 on compulsory-purchased land and started off as a ROTOR station, an RAF defence radar system built by the British Government in the 1950s.

Built in total secrecy, under strict military security, 125 feet underground.

Had the UK been attacked and nuclear war broken out, it was from this purpose-built, operations room that the UK's central government and military commanders would have come to and perhaps organised the civilian population in the aftermath of a nuclear attack.
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This photo shows you the layout of the bunker, located beneath the aerial mast:
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
​This ordinary-looking rural bungalow is the entrance to the bunker, concealing a labyrinth of corridors and rooms, encased in 10-foot thick reinforced concrete:
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
Self-Guided tours:
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
Entrance to the bunker was along this 120 yard tunnel from the guard house to the radio room:
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
Up to 600 staff and personnel could be accomodated in the bunker even if it meant sleeping on bunks in the corridor:
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The bunker had air-conditioning and heating systems installed, together with filters and their own water supply so that staff could live below ground for up to 3 months.

At the end of the corridors, huge 1 ½ ton blast doors were installed built to withstand a nuclear blast.
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The site was decommissioned in 1992 after the threat of a nuclear attack diminished and left pretty much as it would have been.

It was then turned into a museum. 

How to get to the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

​The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker is located in Essex, 5 miles from North of Brentwood which is easy to get to. I took the Elizabeth Line from Tottenham Court Road to Brentwood.
How to get to The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The bus stop across the road from the station, where you catch the bus #21 to Chipping Ongar, getting off at the "Nuclear Bunker" stop.
How to get to The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The bus #21 
Bus 21 to The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
Brentwood to Chipping Ongar bus timetable. You are looking for the bus 21, highlighted in pale blue. Note, there is NO sunday service.
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Coming back from Kelvedon Hatch, the bus stop is just across the road from where you got off. Check the times for your return journey when you arrive. The road is quite narrow and busy so walking is not recommended.
How to get to The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
The ride took 15 minutes and the fare (March 2023) was £2, under the bus fare cap scheme

From the Nuclear Bunker bus stop, it's a 10-minute walk to the site.

​Just follow the signs:
How to get to The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
How to get to The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
Entrance fees and opening times:
How to get to The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
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You can find them on their official website: https://secretnuclearbunker.com.


Next Post:

Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker

Previous Post:

​​​Western Approaches HQ - Britain's Top Secret Underground WWII Bunker

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  • HOME
  • SITE INDEX
  • About
    • ABOUT Me
    • Notable Experiences
    • Where I've Been: World Travel Page
    • About the Blog
  • ADVERTISE
  • DONATE
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  • Destinations
  • ATM fees
  • CONTACT
  • Top 3 Fav Countries