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Cold War Bunker Beneath Essex Cottage Now Open as Kelvedon Hatch Museum

Built to house a regional government command centre, the self-sufficient complex was engineered to support hundreds for up to three months.

Overview

  • The underground site near Brentwood is entered through an unassuming bungalow and a 100-yard tunnel leading down roughly 125 feet.
  • Communications suites and a round-the-clock aircraft plotting room sit about 80 feet below ground, with a government level in the middle and living quarters, medical facilities and a canteen above.
  • Designed as a regional headquarters in the event of nuclear attack, the bunker integrated secure radio networks, monitoring capability and independent water and power.
  • Decommissioned in 1992, it was returned to the original landowners and later renovated by the Parish family into a public museum.
  • The attraction opens Thursdays to Sundays and during school holidays with on-the-day ticketing priced at £15 for adults, £13 for children and £38 for families, with last entry an hour before 4pm on weekdays and 5pm on weekends.