Exploring the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker in Essex - England

Updated: February 10, 2025 | Tagged: United Kingdom

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 from where the UK's Central Government and Top Military Commanders would have come to.

It was decommissioned in 1992 and eventually became a museum.

How deep is the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear 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.

This photo shows you the layout of the bunker, located beneath the aerial mast:

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:

Self-Guided tours:

Entrance to the bunker was along this 120 yard tunnel from the guard house to the radio room:

Up to 600 staff and personnel could be accomodated in the bunker even if it meant sleeping on bunks in the corridor:

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 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.

Planning your trip to the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

For the latest ticket prices, opening hours and events check out the official top-secret website: Kelvedon Hatch - Secret Nuclear Bunker

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 across the road from the station, where you catch the bus #21 to Chipping Ongar, getting off at the "Nuclear Bunker" stop.

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.

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.

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: