The Kingsway Exchange Tunnels are located 40 metres below ground. (Image: The London Tunnels)
A buried deep beneath is set to be transformed into a £120 million after decades of secrecy. are located 40 metres below and were originally built as air raid shelters during .
However, by the time they were completed in 1942, the Blitz had ended, and they were never used for their intended purpose. Instead, the tunnels went on to serve as a intelligence hub and a telecommunications centre, playing an important role in British espionage. They later became associated with MI6, and it is believed that worked in naval intelligence there, which may have inspired his depiction of Q Branch in his famous spy series.
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The tunnels served as a Cold War intelligence hub and a telecommunications centre. (Image: The London Tunnels)
Now, a £120 million redevelopment project aims to open the tunnels to the public as an immersive historical experience called .
The ambitious plan, led by former investment banker Angus Murray, is expected to attract up to two million visitors annually.
Murray believes the attraction could have an impact similar to that of the London Eye, which has drawn millions of visitors since it opened in 2000.
“We want to bring to life the untold stories of the wartime efforts below London’s streets,” he said. “Visitors will have the chance to explore a place that was once so secret, it was protected by the Official Secrets Act.”
The project will include museum exhibits, interactive displays, and entertainment spaces dedicated to the history of the Blitz and the secret intelligence operations that took place underground.
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Once transformed the tunnels could feature the ‘deepest licensed bar in the UK’. (Image: The London Tunnels)
One of the standout features will be the “deepest licensed bar in the UK,” which will serve themed drinks, including the iconic Vesper Martini made famous by Bond himself.
, which partnered with Joolz Guides for an exclusive first look inside, described the tunnels as “London’s most exciting new development” and said they will offer a fascinating insight into the city’s wartime and espionage history.
The tunnels have remained largely unchanged since their days as a military and intelligence base, with original signage, equipment, and features still intact.
During the Cold War, they housed the first transatlantic telephone cable, which played a crucial role in communications between Moscow and Washington during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Authorities approved the redevelopment plans last year, with construction set to begin later this year, City AM reported. However, visitors will have to wait a few more years before stepping inside, as the tunnels are not expected to open until late 2027 or early 2028.