Secret network of spy tunnels to open as London's newest tourist attraction
The capital is set to gain a new visitor attraction hidden in plain sight 40 metres below High Holborn, as the tunnels will now become open to the public after being kept in relative secrecy for nearly 70 years under the Official Secrets Act.
The London Tunnels, the company that looks after this underground labyrinth, has recently announced a collaboration with the Museum of Military Intelligence (MMI) on the project, two years after the plans were first announced.
The below street-level network is known as the Kinsway Exchange Tunnels and was constructed during the Blitz as a deep-level air raid shelter under the London Underground.
The mile-long series of tunnels was shortly after occupied by the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine organisation established in July 1940 under the orders of then Prime Minister Winston Churchill, during the later stages of World War II.
It was during this time that Bond author Ian Fleming was working as a liaison officer within the wartime administration, and it is thought that the tunnels inspired the research and development Q Branch in his novels.
After a few other uses for the network, the tunnels were used for a secure hotline that connected the White House to the Kremlin during the Cold War, before it was taken over by BT.
Now, the tunnels will have a new life as a major tourist attraction that hopes to welcome up to three million visitors per year.
The tunnels will have a permanent exhibition showcasing the history of military intelligence and its use of the tunnel complex, including a special exhibition centred around the Special Operations Executive.
The displays will spotlight original artefacts, equipment, weapons, documents and images through a 'modern high-tech experience' that promises to bring to life the history and techniques used by military intelligence.
The exhibition will feature stories from the Battle of Britain and D-Day, the espionage operations of the Cold War and the Falklands War.
It will also display more recent military operations, including peace-keeping missions and the response to terrorism threats that have occurred within the 21st century.
Visitors will also be able to delve into how the British military works today and what operations they carry out.
Angus Murray, CEO of The London Tunnels, said: '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.'
In its 2023 consultation documents, London Tunnels said the new museum would increase local spending up to £80m (€95m) per year, create 40 onsite jobs and offer free trips for local schools.
The London Tunnels said work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion in 2028.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
TV review: I was glad to see the closing credits of Mountainhead
I was in two minds about Mountainhead (Sky Atlantic and NOW). Every now and again I wished this movie was a series but mainly I was glad that I didn't have to spend more than 90 minutes with the main characters. I wanted it to be a series because it's directed by Jesse Armstrong, who was involved with The Thick of It and Succession, two of the best 21st century telly satires. But this one is about four super-rich tech titans, awful men who are happy to set the world on fire as long as their net worth is bigger than the next guy. In this case, the world is literally in flames as the four former frat-boys gather in a Bond-villain mountain retreat to play poker and rekindle their time in The Brewsters. I think that's a fraternity, we're not told. The chief villain is Venis – his social-media platform Traam has just released new features which make it too easy to produce deep-fake videos, which are then used to incite hatred and sectarianism across the globe. His goofy friend Jeff has an AI platform that could douse the flames by identifying any false videos, if only he'd make that technology available to Traam. Overseeing it all is Randall, AKA Papa Bear, which sees Steve Carrell in top Steve Carrell form, playing the original tech God, who likes to name-drop philosophers to justify making money no matter what. The fourth character is the host, Souper, the poorest of the group with a net worth of $550 million. Fans of Succession will like the look and feel of Mountainhead. You've got your fleets of private jets and expensive 4x4s, whisking middle-aged white people here and there. There are put-upon personal assistants making knowing glances at the camera. Everyone is terribly dressed, expensively. But there isn't enough fun. Succession and The Thick of It allowed their characters sufficient humanity and awareness to make jokes about themselves and each other. The four tech bros here are too consumed by themselves to get a decent laugh. There is oodles of acting talent here, but it's wasted with long monologues that could have been lifted from Elon Musk's twitter account. We don't need a telly drama to tell us that super-rich white American nerds are a danger to the planet, we can get that from the news. There are some very funny bits. Souper being parachuted in to head a coup in Argentina is a lovely touch; the bit where Venis tries to bond with his baby boy is gold; the scene around the sauna terrifyingly hilarious. But I was glad to see the closing credits and the back of The Brewsters.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Secret network of spy tunnels to open as London's newest tourist attraction
The capital is set to gain a new visitor attraction hidden in plain sight 40 metres below High Holborn, as the tunnels will now become open to the public after being kept in relative secrecy for nearly 70 years under the Official Secrets Act. The London Tunnels, the company that looks after this underground labyrinth, has recently announced a collaboration with the Museum of Military Intelligence (MMI) on the project, two years after the plans were first announced. The below street-level network is known as the Kinsway Exchange Tunnels and was constructed during the Blitz as a deep-level air raid shelter under the London Underground. The mile-long series of tunnels was shortly after occupied by the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine organisation established in July 1940 under the orders of then Prime Minister Winston Churchill, during the later stages of World War II. It was during this time that Bond author Ian Fleming was working as a liaison officer within the wartime administration, and it is thought that the tunnels inspired the research and development Q Branch in his novels. After a few other uses for the network, the tunnels were used for a secure hotline that connected the White House to the Kremlin during the Cold War, before it was taken over by BT. Now, the tunnels will have a new life as a major tourist attraction that hopes to welcome up to three million visitors per year. The tunnels will have a permanent exhibition showcasing the history of military intelligence and its use of the tunnel complex, including a special exhibition centred around the Special Operations Executive. The displays will spotlight original artefacts, equipment, weapons, documents and images through a 'modern high-tech experience' that promises to bring to life the history and techniques used by military intelligence. The exhibition will feature stories from the Battle of Britain and D-Day, the espionage operations of the Cold War and the Falklands War. It will also display more recent military operations, including peace-keeping missions and the response to terrorism threats that have occurred within the 21st century. Visitors will also be able to delve into how the British military works today and what operations they carry out. Angus Murray, CEO of The London Tunnels, said: '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.' In its 2023 consultation documents, London Tunnels said the new museum would increase local spending up to £80m (€95m) per year, create 40 onsite jobs and offer free trips for local schools. The London Tunnels said work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion in 2028.
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Extra.ie
Bond girl Alison Doody reunites with a View to a Kill co-star to mark 30 year anniversary
Irish star of the silver screen Alison Doody who shot to fame in the 90's with a series of bad girl roles in cult films like Indiana Jones and James Bond, has reunited with one of her Bond girl co-stars to mark 30 years since she starred in A View to a Kill. Southside stunner Alison, first made her Hollywood mark when she was cast as part of the 007 franchise, where she played to perfection the role of baddie Bond girl Jenny Flex in A View to a Kill. Now three decades on from when A View to A Kill first hit movie theatres around the globe, Alison has reunited with her View to a Kill co-star Papillon Soo Soo in the French villa where much of the film was shot, to mark the movie's milestone. Irish star of the silver screen Alison Doody who shot to fame in the 90's with a series of bad girl roles in cult films like Indiana Jones and James Bond, has reunited with one of her Bond girl co-stars to mark 30 years since she starred in A View to a Kill. David Buchan/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images) In the film Alison played Jenny Flex, a beautiful but deadly bodyguard to the film's main machiavellian character Max Zorin played by Christopher Walken. And in keeping with all great Bond movie plots, where good trumps evil and the bad guys and girls invariably meet a grisly end, Alison met her fate when she is double-crossed and left to die. But while she may have been killed off-screen, in real life she lived on and is now reliving her bond girl days in the French villa where the movie was made. Pic: Laurence Wreford/Instagram And thirty years after her big screen debut Alison demonstrated she has those killer looks that shot to international super stardom. Dressed to kill in a sleek black power suit with towering patent black heels Alison is movie starlet personified. Alison Doody. Pic: After her James Bond appearance Alison went on to star alongside Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , where once again her angelic platinum blonde doe-eyed beautiful looks concealed her deadly evil side .
