After 70 years of government secrecy, plans have been revealed to open up the mile-long underground WWII shelters in London that inspired James Bond’s Q Branch, and the tunnels are set to host a permanent exhibition on the history of military intelligence. 

Over a mile-long set of secret, subterranean tunnels in Central London, originally built to shelter Londoners during the WWII Blitz, are to be restored and preserved, as part of new proposals to open them up to the public for the first time.

The Kingsway Exchange Tunnels span an area of approximately 8,300 square metres (9,927 square yards) and stretch 7.6 metres (25 feet) in diameter, equal to the width of three London buses. Kept secret for nearly 70 years as part of the government’s Official Secrets Act, they were once home to the Special Operations Executive, an offshoot of MI6, the real-life location that may have inspired ‘Q Branch’ in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, where the author was the Admiralty’s Liaison Officer. 

Dramatically enlarged by the British Government at the start of the Cold War to serve as a secure and secret long-distance telephone exchange, the tunnels operated the first transatlantic telephone cable, TAT1, which notably acted later as the ‘hotline’ between Moscow and Washington during the Cuban Missile Crisis; much of this original equipment will be retained.

When in operation the Kingsway Exchange accommodated up to 200 staff, supported by self-contained water and air conditioning systems, along with what is thought to be the deepest licensed bar in London, a restaurant with mock windows and a recreational room, complete with snooker tables. By the late 1980s, telecommunication technology had advanced and the tunnels’ telephone centre became obsolete and was fully decommissioned. 

The vision is to transform the tunnels into one of the world’s most unique cultural experiences. It will bring to life the history of the tunnels by installing high-resolution large-scale curved immersive screens, together with interactive structures, scent-emitting technology and hundreds of individual acoustic pinpoint speakers.

The London Tunnels is working with a range of experts from the world of arts, design, and technology, including one of the UK’s leading architectural firms, WilkinsonEyre, the practice behind Battersea Power Station and Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. 

Angus Murray, Chief Executive of The London Tunnels, said: “The history of the tunnels, their scale and the location between London’s Holborn and the historic Square Mile, could make these tunnels one of London’s most popular tourist destinations. Welcoming two million people per year, The London Tunnels would in turn increase spending for local businesses, making a tangible difference to this part of Central London.”

The collaboration with the Museum of Military Intelligence is dedicated to honouring the sacrifices of the tens of thousands of men and women who have served in British military intelligence and their associated organisations, many of whom remain, and will forever remain, in the shadows. 

The Trustees of the Museum of Military Intelligence said: “This partnership with The London Tunnels marks a new chapter in the Museum’s history. In a long-term partnership with such a historically significant and evocative location, we are not only preserving the legacy of military intelligence but also bringing it to life in a way that will captivate and educate future generations. We are thrilled to create a space where the public can engage with the rich history of intelligence operations in a truly inspiring setting.”

This exhibition will feature stories from the Battle of Britain and D-Day, the extraordinary espionage operations of the Cold War and the fight for the Falklands to peace-keeping missions and the terrorist threat of the 21st century. Visitors will experience the challenge and excitement of today’s complex and vital military intelligence operations. A special exhibition, created by the Museum, will be dedicated to the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a clandestine force established in July 1940 under the orders of Prime Minister Winston Churchill to ‘set Europe ablaze’. 

Angus Murray added: “We are delighted to become the home of the public exhibition of the Museum of Military Intelligence. This new location will provide convenient central London access to an important and unique collection which has until now been largely hidden. The tunnels, built and designed to protect Londoners during the Blitz, are the ideal backdrop to tell the remarkable, and untold, stories of the men and women who played a vital role in protecting Britain then, and the role of the armed services protecting Britain today.”

While it is too soon for the opening date of the tunnels to be confirmed, if you would like to explore the existing sights in Britain and London associated with World War Two, on one of our tailor-made Churchill Tours, please do contact our friendly team today.

To find out more about what can still be seen today from London's wartime past, read Mr Londoner's blog: Lest we forget: London's wartime legacy.

All photos courtesy of The London Tunnels.