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Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

Fri, 08/01/10 - 12:32 - steve

Location
United Kingdom
51° 40' 18.2532" N, 51° 40' 18.2532" E

Media

Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

Field Notes

A cold war bunker museum in-situ organized and maintained by the land owners. When the government established the need for an emergency bunker in the event of a direct hit on London, this site was secretly purchased by the farmers and shepherds who owned the land. After decommissioning in 1992, the land was given back to the original owners' families who then converted it into a curious, home-made monument to underground cold-war paranoia. Nods to black humor throughout elevate the experience from being a soul-crushing one. Complete with a mini-BBC studio, video presentation rooms, and recorded messages simulating an attack and what to do after wards.

A full crew of mannequins (some partly dressed or missing limbs) maintain the museum in the absence of any caretakers or museum staff, as the museum is a self-guided tour through one of the most compelling things to happen beneath South Essex.

Scouts can rent the facility for overnight sleepovers to further simulate the cold-war atmosphere for more recent generations.