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Jul 18, 2023

The Brentwood high ropes adventure course based at a 'secret nuclear bunker'

It's quite a different use of the historic site than what used to be seen there For a weekly roundup of the latest food, drink, and entertainment news, as well as things to do sign up to our

It's quite a different use of the historic site than what used to be seen there

For a weekly roundup of the latest food, drink, and entertainment news, as well as things to do sign up to our newsletter

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It seems somewhat counterintuitive to see a brown sign on the drive into Brentwood high street for the so-called “Secret Nuclear Bunker”, it never fails to make many Essex residents smile. But there's something even more unusual based there that you wouldn't necessarily expect.

Nestled away in the fields of Kelvedon Hatch in Brentwood stands Nuclear High Ropes, the biggest high ropes course in Essex. To the unassuming eye it may appear as solely a fun day out for families, however, on closer inspection you will find a site steeped in history.

The course is in fact shared with the biggest and deepest cold war bunker open to the public in the southeast of England. The bunker has been utilised in three separate stages, starting with its role as an RAF ROTOR Station, then a brief period as a civil defence centre through to its most recent life as a Regional Government HQ.

Designed for up to 600 military and civilian personnel, possibly even the Prime Minister, their collective task being to organise the survival of the population in the awful aftermath of a nuclear war. The Secret Bunker today offers a self guided audio walking tour, taking you through the fully furnished Cold War nuclear bunker.

Read more: I tried the family-run restaurant with 'large and tasty portions'

But elsewhere on the site, part of the well-renowned Nuclear Races organisation, Nuclear High ropes is perfect for thrill seekers. With 6 rope courses set over 3 levels, 70+ aerial obstacles and 3 zip wires, the high ropes course is perfect for all abilities, offering easy, medium and tough challenges. Starting from just £24 per person, it is the perfect adrenaline-fueled day out. The zip trek course also offers 13 zip wires on heights of up to 10 metres, allowing quick thrills through the trees and over water.

Heights not so much your thing? The site offers axe throwing on their 4 lane range, and even shooting on their multilane air rifle range. The site is a multi-award winning location, being awarded Best Ziplining & Tree Top Adventure in 2019 and the Travellers’ Choice Award in 2023 by Tripadvisor.

Over in the Nuclear Races Wild Forest stands outdoor obstacle activity specialists with access to more than 50 obstacles on both land and on water. Nuclear is more than just an obstacle assault course, suitable for all ages and fitness abilities.

Also located on site at the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Bunker is Clue HQ: The Live Escape Game. Teams of 2-10 are locked in a room and given 60 minutes to find clues and solve puzzles and use the items they find to try and work out a way to escape. Located on 1600 acres of family owned farmland, you can spend more than just one day making memories out of a Nuclear Experience Day.

More information on directions and pricing can be found on the Nuclear Experience Days website .