The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker was Britain’s Top Secret Nuclear Cold War Bunker, located just 20 miles from Central London in the County of Essex.
It is the biggest and deepest Cold War bunker open to the public in the Southeast of England and is one of six underground bunkers in the UK that I have visited (and blogged about).
Had nuclear war broken out, this is where the UK’s Central Government and Top Military Commanders would have come to.
The Bunker
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker started off as a ROTOR station, an RAF defence radar system built by the British Government in the 1950s.
Built in total secrecy between 1952 and 1953, under strict military security, 125 feet underground.
Had there been a nuclear attack, 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.
This photo shows you the layout of the bunker, located beneath the aerial mast:
The bunker was built on land requisitioned from the local farmer J.A.Parrish.
This ordinary-looking rural bungalow conceals the entrance to the bunker: A labyrinth of corridors and rooms, encased in 10-foot-thick reinforced concrete:
Self-Guided tours:
Entrance to the bunker is along this 120-yard tunnel from the guard house to the radio room:
Up to 600 staff and personnel could be accommodated in the bunker, even if it meant sleeping in the corridor:
At the end of the corridors, huge 1 ½ ton blast doors could withstand a nuclear blast.
The bunker had air-conditioning and heating systems installed, together with filters and its own water supply so that staff could live below ground for up to 3 months.
The site was decommissioned in 1992. The Parrish family then bought it back from the government, who then turned it into a museum.
Planning your trip to the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
For the latest ticket prices, opening hours at the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, check out their official top-secret website. Bring cash because sometimes there is no signal, and payment by card is NOT possible.
How to get to the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker:
The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker is located in Essex, 5 miles north of Brentwood, which is easy to get to. I took the Elizabeth Line from Tottenham Court Road to Brentwood.
The bus stop is across the road from the station, where you catch the bus #21 to Chipping Ongar, getting off at the “Nuclear Bunker” stop.
Bus 21, Brentwood to Chipping Ongar:
Brentwood to Chipping Ongar bus timetable. You are looking for the bus 21, highlighted in pale blue. Note, there is NO Sunday service.
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. I don’t recommend walking as the road is quite narrow and busy with traffic.
The ride takes just 15 minutes. From the bus stop, it’s a 10-mimute wall to the site.
Just follow the signs:
