Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
Come and witness the three lives of the bunker starting with its role as an RAF ROTOR Station, then a brief period as a civil defence centre through to its most recent life as a Regional Government HQ. Designed for up to 600 military and civilian personnel, possibly even the Prime Minister, their collective task being to organise the survival of the population in the awful aftermath of a nuclear war.
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.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Summer: March 1st to October 31st
Open Every Day!
Weekdays :
Open 10 am - 4 pm
Weekends & Bank Holidays :
Open 10 am - 5pm
Winter: November 1st to February 28/29th
Open Thursday to Sunday inclusive.
Open from 10 - 4 pm*
(* We are usually open during school holidays and half term.)
Admission:
| Adults |
£6.50 |
| Children (5-16 Years) |
£4.50 |
| Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) |
£16.00 |
| Group Discount 15+ |
| Adults |
£6.00 |
| Child |
£4.00 |
| Unfortunatley we are unable to take credit/debit cards. |
How to Find Us:
By Road
Access is from the A128 Chipping Ongar to Brentwood road at Kelvedon Hatch.
If you have GPS then use CM15 0LA and look out for the Brown Tourist signs.
From the M11:
Take the A414(Chelmsford) to Ongar then take the A128 to Brentwood.
From the M25:
Interchange with the A12, junction 28, take the A1023 to Brentwood then take the A128 to Ongar.
Rail:
There are services to Brentwood and Shenfield Mainline Train Stations, where you may either take a 7 mile taxi ride, or from Brentwood you can also catch the 501 Townlink bus.
Underground:
Take the Central Line to Debden, Theydon Bois or Epping, and then a 7 mile taxi ride. There is also a bus service from Epping, which is the 501 Townlink bus.
Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
Crown Buildings
Kelvedon Hall Lane
Kelvedon Hatch
CM14 5TL