Did you know there’s a secret tunnel network under a London building? This historical site has a fascinating past tied to wartime communications and Cold War secrets.
London: You wouldn’t believe what’s hiding under the Queen Elizabeth II International Conference Centre. It looks like just another fancy building, but there’s so much more to it.
At the front, you might see an old stone well. But guess what? It’s not for water. It’s an air shaft that leads to a secret tunnel network from the Cold War.
This place was once the heart of a hidden communication system. It started in 1940 to help government departments during WWII. Later, it moved to Broad Sanctuary in 1951, right across from Westminster Abbey.
And there’s more! Underneath, there’s a massive concrete bunker built between 1950 and 1952. It was made to survive a nuclear attack, which was a real fear back then.
The tunnel has a thick concrete roof and was part of a deep-level communication system. It connected various secret spots across London. Back in the day, government staff had to manually control the exchanges.
On the surface, this building also played a role during the Queen’s coronation in 1953. It even served as a parking lot later on.
While all this was happening, the bunker was fully equipped. It had its own power, air conditioning, and water supply. The Federal exchange moved out in the late 1950s, but the structure stayed hidden.
A conference center opened in 1986, but most people have no idea about its secret past. It’s a fascinating piece of London’s history that’s just waiting to be discovered.
