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.
Had nuclear war broken out, this is where the UK’s Central Government and Top Military Commanders would have been stationed.
The Bunker
The bunker was originally built in 1952 as part of the ROTOR air defence radar network, before being upgraded to RSG 5 (Regional Seat of Government), intended to house up to 600 civil servants and military personnel in the event of a nuclear strike.
It was built in complete secrecy 125 feet (38 metres) underground with 10-foot-thick reinforced concrete walls.
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:
The tour is self-guided by personal handsets, included in the admission price:
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 one and a half 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 three months.
The site was decommissioned in 1992. The Parrish family then bought it back from the government, who then turned it into a museum.
How to Visit Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker: Tickets, Opening Times & Transport
Tickets and opening times: For the latest ticket prices and opening hours at the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, check out their official top-secret website.
There is no online booking, just turn up and pay!
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:
Location: The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker is located in Essex, five miles north of Brentwood, which you can get to by taking the Elizabeth Line from central London.
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-minute walk to the site.
