RGHQ 5.1

It was a beautiful sunny Bank Holiday so we decided to spend the best part of the day underground. We went to RGHQ 5.1: Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker (just off the A128 Chipping to Ongar road). Now declassified, it's a fascinating glimpse into the horror of a world we hope no one ever experiences. It's a bunker designed to house central government in the event of nuclear war and was active until the mid-1990s. Probably the most chilling was the thought of the few survivors outside who would have to very rapidly descend into medieval way of living with little working technology and scarce food rations.

This photo was taken in the 120 metre concrete corridor into the depths of a hill, before the heavy blast doors into the sealed bunker. More photos here.

On our way home and with time to spare, we played a favourite game when a distance from home: set the sav nav to shortest distance route and to avoid motorways and follow it home. You get to see much more interesting bits of the country that way.