Secret Nuclear Bunker

Address:
Crown Buildings
Kelvedon Hall Lane
Kelvedon Hatch
CM14 5TL

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Telephone: 01277 364883
Nearest Station: Brentwood or Epping

Located deep beneath the Essex Countryside underneath an innocent looking bungalow Kelvedon Hatch was to be used in the dreadful event of a nuclear war, it was designed to accommodate 600 military and Government personnel.

The Bunker had three main lives. Initially as an RAF ROTOR Station and latterly a Regional Government Headquarters, with a brief period in the 1960's as a civil defence centre. There were also spare bunk beds in the tunnel, to help accommodate some of the hundreds of civilian and military personnel that would be stationed here in time of nuclear attack. The bunker was built on land requisitioned from the local farmer J.A.Parrish.

Paradoxically as the heat of the Cold War died down, the bunker and it's ancillary systems were no longer required by the Government, and were costing up to 3 million pounds a year to keep on standby. Upon decommissioning in 1992 the bunker was bought back from the government by the Parrish family, at a closed bid public auction, and hence is now privately owned.

The tour is self guided by personal handsets, which is included in admission price. There is an adult and child tour available which both follow the same route. There are several films to watch en route and a dressing up area where you can try on authentic military uniforms and gas masks! However some people find one tour just isn't enough to take it all in!