Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

Useful Information

Location:	At Kelvedon Hatch. A128 south of Marden Ash, halfway between Pilgrims Hatch and Chipping Ongar. (51.672421, 0.255679)
Open:	MAR to OCT Mon-Fri 10-16, Sat, Sun, Hol 10-17, tours on the hour. NOV to FEB Thu-Sun 10-16. [2026]
Fee:	Adults GBP 14, Children (5-16) GBP 12, Family (2+2) GBP 36. Groups (15+): Adults GBP 13, Children (5-16) GBP 11. [2026]
Classification:	Secret Bunkers
Light:	Electric Light
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided with handset.
Photography:
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, Crown Buildings, Kelvedon Hall Lane, Brentwood CM14 5TL, Essex. Tel: +44-1277-364-883. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1952	simple bungalow built by the Air Ministry.
1967	becomes the regional Home Office bunker for London, known as Sub-Regional Control.
1973	becomes Sub-Regional Headquarters.
1985	becomes Regional Government Headquarters.
1993	decommissioned and bought back from the government by the Parrish family.

Description

photography — Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, Great Britain. Public Domain.

The Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker is one of those secret bunkers, located under an inconspicuous looking bungalow. The bunker is protected by 3 m reinforced concrete and blast doors made from tank metal. The bunker had four different usages during his history:

an RAF ROTOR Station for the defence radar system.
a civil defence centre.
a Regional Government HQ to run the region in the event of nuclear attack.
a tourist attraction.

Like many other bunkers it was abandoned after the Cold War and turned into a tourist attraction. A funny story is the change in owners: The land to build the bunker was requisitioned from the local farmer J. A. Parrish. But when it was decommissioned, it was bought back from the government by the Parrish family, at a closed bid public auction. So they got their land back and are now owners of a nuclear bunker.

The bunker is accessed through a simple bungalow, originally built in 1952 by the Air Ministry. From this "harmless" building a 120 m long tunnel leads into the main bunker. This is the lowest of three levels, at 25 m depth, containing communication and plant equipment. The second level is the government level. The top level contains a small surgery, several washrooms, dormitories, and a large canteen.