SECRET NUCLEAR BUNKER AT KELVEDON HATCH ESSEX - THE BIGGEST & DEEPEST COLD WAR BUNKER OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IN THE SOUTHEAST OF ENGLAND

Michael Parrish owner of the secret bunker
 

Great coincidence when listening to this morning's Sadie Nine Show on BBC Essex Radio, based in Chelmsford. As a theme, they chose to visit Michael Parrish's Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch near Brentwood Essex.  Michael was super in offering me a warm welcome some years ago when I interviewed him and took pics of the remaining artefacts from the Cold War.

 Then, of course, I wrote several articles about the place and it has pride of place in one of my books written at the time VOICES OF BRENTWOOD - PUBLISHED BY THE HISTORY PRESS.  Now it is a popular tourist attraction and is believed to be haunted.  I must admit it did give me 'the shivers' when I passed through the very ordinary entrance (a modest little bungalow), and then deep down into the bunker, but on the whole, found it a fascinating experience. For full details  and tickets check www.secretnuclearbunker.com

 

The tour is self guided by personal handsets. This 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! As a rough guide the tour takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete. However, should you stop to watch all of the included films and take some time out to try on the uniforms then this extends the tour by four hours. Some people find one tour just isn’t enough to take it all in!