Constructed in the 1940s, the mile-long tunnels run beneath Holborn and Chancery Lane. Although they were completed in 1942, they were never used for their intended purpose, as the Blitz had already ended by that time.
The tunnels gained notoriety in 1944 when they served as the headquarters for British spies, with James Bond author Ian Fleming working there. It’s believed that his time in the tunnels inspired him to create the iconic Q Branch.
However, the tunnels have been abandoned since the 1970s. But now, plans are in motion to turn them into a major attraction called The London Tunnels.
The revamped site will feature a museum, exhibition halls, and an entertainment zone, with an underground bar and James Bond-themed events potentially added to the experience.
The official website describes the project as a way to bring the hidden history of London to life, offering new experiences that spark curiosity and imagination. The plans are being designed by British architects WilkinsonEyre, the same team behind London’s Battersea Power Station and Singapore’s Gardens By The Bay.
Angus Murray, CEO of The London Tunnels, described the experience of being underground as “very emotional,” with the sound of London’s tube trains passing overhead. The £120 million redevelopment is expected to attract up to three million visitors annually, similar to the tourist numbers seen by the London Eye, which opened 25 years ago.
Authorities approved the tunnel redevelopment last year, but an official opening date is still pending, with hopes of launching by late 2027. Tickets are expected to be priced around £30.
Murray commented, “In London, if there’s one thing that works, it’s tourism.”
Before being abandoned, the tunnels served multiple purposes, including housing the first transatlantic telephone cable, TAT1, which later became a vital communication link during the Cuban Missile Crisis between Moscow and Washington.
