A vast network of tunnels, originally constructed to protect Londoners from German bombing raids during World War Two, is set to be transformed into one of the British capital’s most

significant new tourist attractions in years.

These tunnels, stretching a mile (1.6 km) in length and reaching heights sufficient to accommodate a double-decker bus, are located beneath Holborn in central London. Their construction began in late 1940, when German aircraft were relentlessly bombing the city in what became known as the Blitz.

During the bombings, many Londoners sought refuge in underground train stations. By the time the dedicated shelter tunnels were completed in 1942, the Blitz had ended, rendering them largely unused for their intended purpose.

"It's real. It's emotional," said Angus Murray, CEO of The London Tunnels, as he stood in a cavernous steel-arched chamber beneath the city, with the sound of London Underground trains rumbling above.

Murray, a former investment banker, envisions the tunnels becoming a memorial to the Blitz, featuring a combination of museum exhibits, interactive displays, and entertainment attractions.

Beyond their wartime history, the tunnels also played a role in espionage. In 1944, they housed a spy headquarters where Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, worked for naval intelligence. This location is believed to have inspired Q Branch, the fictional division responsible for equipping Bond with his specialized gadgets.

Located 30 meters (100 feet) below ground, the tunnel network is a labyrinth of old generators, pipes, and rusted bolts. Electrical wiring dangles from walls lined with dials, switches, and levers. Remnants of a staff bar and canteen still exist, harking back to the 1950s and 1960s when around 200 workers operated a telephone exchange within the tunnels.

Since the 1970s, the tunnels have largely remained dormant. However, Murray’s company has ambitious plans to revive them as a major tourist destination. Approved by authorities last year, the project is estimated to cost approximately £120 million ($149 million). The goal is to attract up to three million visitors annually, each paying over £30 ($37) for admission.

Murray compared the potential impact of the attraction to that of the London Eye, the observation wheel that debuted 25 years ago and continues to draw over three million visitors each year.

The tunnels are expected to open to the public by late 2027 or early 2028. They will be managed by an entertainment company with extensive experience in operating visitor attractions.

"In London, if one thing works, it's tourism," Murray remarked. Photo by Toni Frissell, Wikimedia commons.