mile-long network of tunnels that once played a pivotal role during World War II. And now, after being sealed off for decades, these historic tunnels are set to become London’s most exciting underground attraction.
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The Kingsway Exchange Tunnels, located some 30 meters (98 feet) underground, were originally constructed in the 1940s as a refuge for Londoners during the devastating Blitz bombing campaign. After their initial wartime purpose, they became the base for the Special Operations Executive (SOE), an offshoot of MI6—widely considered the inspiration for James Bond's Q Branch.
Now, these once-secretive passages will undergo a $149 million transformation, with plans to open as a museum, exhibition space, and entertainment venue by late 2027 or early 2028.
During the Blitz, the tunnels provided a vital shelter for thousands of Londoners fleeing nightly bombings. However, their role in the city’s history didn’t stop there. Following the attacks, the tunnels were repurposed by the British government to house the Special Operations Executive, a covert military unit that carried out espionage and sabotage operations during the war.
The SOE is often referred to as the real-life Q Branch, the secretive department from the James Bond franchise. In fact,