ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Inside huge underground bunker in UK built in case of nuclear war

Home> News

Published 16:03 13 May 2023 GMT+1

Inside huge underground bunker in UK built in case of nuclear war

These days it's a tourist attraction because nuclear war definitely isn't happening, right?

Joe Harker

Joe Harker

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

If you're thinking of somewhere fun for the whole family you might want to consider bringing your nearest and dearest to an old underground nuclear bunker which was supposed to protect Brits from nuclear war.

Following the end of the Second World War people were ever so slightly worried about the possibility that another conflict would break out - and that nuclear bombs could level cities across the nation.

An arms race began to push for more nuclear weapons and more powerful bombs that could pretty much wipe the human race off the face of the Earth.

If the other lot had the power to destroy the planet then by jingo we'd better acquire the ability to kill everyone in the world too!

Advert

This bungalow hides a nuclear bunker built over 70 years ago, and you can even go inside it.
Susie Kearley / Alamy Stock Photo

There was also the idea that if both sides could blow each other to kingdom come then neither side would because they'd be destroyed as well, making the only winning move not to play.

For decades people lived with the idea that alarms could blare telling them they only had a handful of minutes before the bomb dropped.

Quite chillingly we came worryingly close to it all being over but the crying on a few occasions but we appear to have made it through, though never say never.

Being caught in a nuclear war would have been a bit of an inconvenience, and the government's official guidance wouldn't have done much to save you from the bombs.

The Central Operations Room, where survivors of nuclear war would plan Britain's future.
UrbanImages / Alamy Stock Photo

Your best bet would have been to be inside an underground bomb shelter (or somewhere like Australia), but places in those were limited so you'd have to hope you were one of the lucky few.

One such place built in the UK in the 1950s is now a tourist attraction you can go and see for yourself, though at first glance, you might not know it was a bunker.

That's because the Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker is a top secret bunker located north of Brentwood just off the A128 that people didn't much about at the time, and there's a bungalow built on top of it.

If you didn't want a nuclear bomb to send you to the light at the end of the tunnel then you had to head down this tunnel.
Jon D / Alamy Stock Photo

With space and supplies for up to 600 people including top ranking government and military officials to stay hidden for up to three months without venturing outside, much of the bunker has been left the way it was when it was decommissioned in 1992.

Stepping inside you'd find all manner of old machinery amongst the tunnels and blast doors, as well as rooms where people could plan the nation's survival and generally live out the end of the world.

Featured Image Credit: Susie Kearley / Alamy Stock Photo/Jon D / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: UK News, News, Weird

Joe Harker
Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

X

@MrJoeHarker

Recommended reads

What Ashley Roberts said about ‘fling’ with Declan Donnelly after I’m A Celeb stintMax Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesOne-in-three students admit to taking part in bizarre new Gen Z sex trendGetty StockWoman shares before and after of going 30 days without drinking alcoholYouTube/Yoga With PaigeAdvice to holidaymakers as 1,700 fall ill and 'eight die' after visiting holiday hotspotIrwin Mitchell/PA Wire

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty Stock
    an hour ago

    One-in-three students admit to taking part in bizarre new Gen Z sex trend

    You really do fear for the future of this planet

    News
  • YouTube/Yoga With Paige
    an hour ago

    Woman shares before and after of going 30 days without drinking alcohol

    Stopping drinking can change your body in unexpected ways

    News
  • Irwin Mitchell/PA Wire
    an hour ago

    Advice to holidaymakers as 1,700 fall ill and 'eight die' after visiting holiday hotspot

    Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, who are leading the personal injury claim, shared some 'key advice'

    News
  • Instagram/@lanarhoades
    2 hours ago

    Former adult star Lana Rhoades has new career after calling for all videos to be removed

    Rhoades says she endured some harrowing moments while working in the industry

    News
  • Animation shows how bunker busters work as US stealth bombers target Iran's underground nuclear facilities
  • Likelihood of UK joining Iran-Israel war explained after US bombs major nuclear sites
  • Four safest places from nuclear war in UK as Russia's 23 town 'strike list' leaked
  • Blake Lively issues statement after facing huge setback in court case against Justin Baldoni