Gravesend Cold War Bunker

About the museum

The bunker was built in 1954 as an underground command post for Civil Defence Region 6. Had nuclear war come, it would have coordinated the emergency services of Gravesend and the surrounding area. It has 13 rooms, including plant rooms for power and ventilation, communications areas and dormitories.

The building belongs to Gravesham Borough Council. In the 1990s a volunteer group, later called Thames Defence Heritage, asked the council to restore it and open it to the public, and the group still runs it. The bunker has been refurbished to look as it did in the 1950s and has been used as a film location.

Guided tours explain how local civil defence planned for a nuclear attack. Exhibits include a domestic fallout room, a communications room, a replica radiation monitoring post and a government film about protecting yourself from nuclear attack. A WE177 air-dropped nuclear bomb casing is also on show.

Highlights

• Original 1954 command post for Civil Defence Region 6
• Domestic fallout room and communications room
• Replica radiation monitoring post
• Government public information film on nuclear attack
• WE177 bomb casing

Permanent exhibition

• The Cold War civil defence bunker – A guided tour through the restored 1950s command post with its fallout room, communications room and radiation monitoring post.

Founded

1954

Operated by

Thames Defence Heritage (owner: Gravesham Borough Council)

Admission & discounts

Tour prices as listed by Gravesham Borough Council: £5 per adult and £3 for ages 12 to 15.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The bunker is entered down 23 steep steps and has no lift, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Visitors with significant mobility difficulties may be unable to enter. There are no toilets in the bunker. The council advises contacting it before booking with access questions.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+

Not suitable for children under 12.

Getting there & parking

The bunker is in Woodlands Park, Wrotham Road, Gravesend.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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