TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A secret underground tunnel from World War II in London is being converted into a museum for tourists. The tunnel, which inspired the James Bond books, is 40 meters below High Holborn, the highest area in the British capital.
Before being decided to be a museum, the tunnel was kept secret for 70 years under the Official Secrets Act. The British public only became aware of the tunnel's existence in 2007.
London Tunnels, the company managing this underground labyrinth, recently announced a collaboration with the Military Intelligence Museum (MMI) on the project, two years after the initial plan was announced. The network beneath the street surface is known as the Kingsway Exchange Tunnels and was built during the Blitz as a shelter from air raids under the London Underground.
Former Secret Organization Headquarters
The Special Operations Executive occupied the one-mile-long network of tunnels, a secret organization established in July 1940 under the command of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, during the final stages of World War II. During this period, Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels, worked as a liaison officer in the wartime government, and it is believed that the tunnel inspired the research and development of the Q Branch in his novels.
The tunnel was used for secure telephone lines connecting the White House to the Kremlin during the Cold War, before being taken over by British Telecom.
Museum Expected to Attract Three Million Visitors
Once a museum, the tunnel is expected to be visited by up to three million visitors annually. The tunnel will host a permanent exhibition showcasing the history of military intelligence and the use of the complex tunnel, including a special exhibition centered around the Special Operations Executive.
This exhibition will highlight artifacts, equipment, weapons, documents, and original images through modern high-tech experiences to bring back to life the history and techniques used by military intelligence. The exhibition will feature stories from the Battle of Britain and D-Day, Cold War espionage operations, and the Falklands War.
The exhibition will also feature current military operations, including peacekeeping missions and responses to terrorist threats in the 21st century. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about the British military's current operations.
Angus Murray, CEO of The London Tunnels, expressed his pride in making this space a public exhibition area for the Military Intelligence Museum. "This new location will provide convenient central London access to an important and unique collection which has until now been largely hidden," he said, as quoted by The Independent, Friday, May 30, 2025.
He added that the long history of this tunnel is an ideal background to tell the secret stories of the people who played a crucial role in protecting Britain at that time and until now.
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