A vast network of secret underground tunnels beneath London is set to be transformed into one of the capital’s most exciting new tourist attractions.
Lying 40 meters below High Holborn, the Kingsway Exchange Tunnels were originally built during World War II as a deep-level air raid shelter. However, by the time construction was completed in 1942, the immediate threat of the Blitz had passed, and the tunnels were never used for their intended purpose.
Now, after decades of secrecy, these historic tunnels are being reinvented as The London Tunnels, a £120 million immersive attraction that will take visitors on a journey through wartime history, espionage, and culture.
A forgotten wartime relic revived
Initially hand-dug in 1940, the tunnels extend for a mile (1.6 km) beneath the streets—with sections so large that a double-decker bus could fit inside. Although they never housed civilians during the war, the tunnels later became a government-controlled telecommunications hub and a base for the Special Operations Executive, a covert British organization specializing in espionage and sabotage during Nazi-occupied Europe.
Even James Bond author Ian Fleming worked in naval intelligence at the time, and it’s widely believed that this hidden headquarters inspired the fictional Q Branch, where Bond receives his high-tech gadgets.
Following the war, British Telecom took over the tunnels, keeping them classified under the Official Secrets Act for nearly 70 years. They were finally declassified in 2007 and put up for sale the following year.
What’s in store for visitors?
The London Tunnels will be more than just a historical exhibit. Led by former investment banker Angus Murray, the ambitious redevelopment will feature:
- A Blitz memorial museum, showcasing artifacts and wartime history
- A ‘History and Heritage’ section, preserving elements of the tunnels’ past
- An ‘Arts and Culture’ area, hosting rotating exhibitions and immersive installations
- A state-of-the-art event space, for concerts, film screenings, and special performances
- And the highlight—the UK’s deepest licensed bar, offering cocktails inspired by the venue’s espionage-filled history, including Vesper Martinis in a nod to James Bond.
When will The London tunnels open?
Murray envisions The London Tunnels becoming as iconic as the London Eye, drawing up to two million visitors annually. However, tourists will have to wait—the 86,000-square-foot site is expected to begin redevelopment at the end of next year, with a projected opening in late 2027 or early 2028.
With its blend of history, intrigue, and modern attractions, The London Tunnels could soon be one of the city’s most unique destinations—and perhaps, one of the most thrilling underground experiences in the world. Photo by John Pannell from Watford, UK, Wikimedia commons.