London tunnels that inspired James Bond creator will become spy museum
During his time in military intelligence, Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels, regularly worked with Winston Churchill’s spy organisation based 30 metres below ground in a labyrinth of tunnels in central London,The Kingsway Exchange tunnels complex, stretching out across 8,000 sq metres beneath High Holborn, near Chancery Lane underground station, hosted the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and is said to have inspired Q Branch in Fleming’s novels,So it seems appropriate that plans to breathe new life into this long-abandoned second world war subterranean network will include a permanent exhibition about the history of military intelligence and espionage,The Military Intelligence Museum is to collaborate with the London Tunnels company, developing the complex to showcase its original artefacts, equipment, weapons and documents in a modern hi-tech experience at the proposed new £220m London tourist attraction, which is planned to open in 2028,Today the tunnels remain closed, but inside they yield many clues to their fascinating past.
Construction began in 1940 to protect Londoners during the blitz but was not completed until 1942, so the tunnels were never used for their original purpose.A wide set of stairs remain, where those fleeing the Luftwaffe could descend from Chancery Lane tube station, though the entrance has long been blocked off.Later in the war, the SOE moved in to dream up all manner of imaginative ways to thwart the Nazis.The tunnels’ next incarnation was as the Kingsway telephone exchange, which in the 1950s served as an internal communications exchange during the cold war.An artesian well, to provide fresh water to those stuck underground in the event of a nuclear attack, remains.
British Telecom took over the site in the 1980s, creating the world’s deepest licensed bar for use by the government staff.The old bar, decorated in then fashionable brown, orange and yellow, also remains, as does the long-disused staff canteen.The plan now is to create a new bar, with claims to be the deepest in any major city.Under the proposals, which have been granted full planning permission, the site will be developed into a three-in-one attraction – exhibitions, immersive interactive exhibitions and the bar.Exhibitions about James Bond and the cold war, as well as a memorial to the blitz, have all been mooted, and subjects will change regularly.
Taking inspiration from venues such as Les Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux, other spaces will provide fully immersive digital experiences.Sign up to First EditionOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersafter newsletter promotionThe London Tunnels said work was scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion in 2028.It aims to attract up to 3 million visitors a year, revitalising an area close to the City of London which has had reduced footfall since the Covid pandemic.The venue will provide “the world’s most authoritative permanent exhibition of military intelligence”, said Gen Sir Jim Hockenhull, the commander of Strategic Command and colonel commandant of the Intelligence Corps.“The tunnels will provide a dramatic and historic backdrop for an exciting new approach to telling the story of the past, present and future of military intelligence.
”This exhibition will feature stories from the Battle of Britain and D-day, the extraordinary espionage operations of the cold war and the fight for the Falklands to peace-keeping missions and the terrorist threat of the 21st century.A special exhibition, created by the museum, will be dedicated to the SOE.Angus Murray, the chief executive of London Tunnels, said: “The tunnels, built and designed to protect Londoners during the blitz, are the ideal backdrop to tell the remarkable, and untold, stories of the men and women who played a vital role in protecting Britain then, and the role of the armed services protecting Britain today.”
Giro d’Italia winner Simon Yates hails ‘huge moment in my career’
Simon Yates reflected on a “sweet success” he had been targeting for much of his life after a spectacular and decisive coup in Saturday’s final mountain stage ensured he would ride to victory in the Giro d’Italia on Sunday.At 32, the Lancastrian had not been tipped to add to his sole Grand Tour victory, the 2018 Tour of Spain, but in the mammoth stage over the Colle Delle Finestre, he confounded those expectations to win the sport’s second most prestigious race, after the Tour de France.“It’s a huge moment in my career, a defining moment maybe,” Yates said after the Giro’s closing stage in Rome. “I don’t think anything comes close. I’m just incredibly proud of the whole team over the three weeks
Iga Swiatek stages stunning comeback to reach French Open quarter-finals
After another sad second serve rebounded off the top of the net and floated out on a break point, Iga Swiatek turned to her support team and frantically gestured her rage. She had simply not shown up. As Elena Rybakina bulldozed through the early stages of their highly anticipated fourth-round tussle, Swiatek trailed 6-1, 2-0 and her hopes of victory were fading.For much of this year, Swiatek has struggled to find her form when forced into difficult positions against her toughest rivals. However, she showed her resilience here with a supreme 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 statement win against the 12th seed, to return to the quarter-finals of the French Open
England edge West Indies to win second ODI as Root scores 166 not out – as it happened
Read all about it with Simon’s report:What an incredible innings from Root – intelligent, ruthless and easy, so easy, on the eye. He came in at 2-2 and carried England home with more than half the runs – an on drive for four popping the champagne.Alzarri Joseph was magnificent with the ball – just a shame West Indies tailed off towards the end with the bat – and didn’t make more of England’s fielding mishaps – or the game could have been even tighter.And as they start packing away in Cardiff, time for us to say goodbye too. Thanks for your company – we’ll be back for the last game in this series at The Oval on Tuesday, starting at 1pm BST
Joe Root’s magical 166 guides England to ODI series win over West Indies
England spent much of this game digging themselves into not so much a hole as a full-blown trench, a toxic combination of regular errors and occasional misfortune leaving them in a truly desperate situation, apparently destined for convincing and deserved defeat. Enter Joe Root, and an innings for the ages.Root produced a display of ethereal stroke-making on his way to a stunning, unbeaten 166, a batting performance of such beauty that the ugliness of much that came before will be forgotten. It was his highest score in one-day internationals, propelling him past Eoin Morgan to become England’s leading run-scorer in this format, and the first Englishman to score more than 7,000. It ended with a straight drive that brought his 23rd boundary, victory by three wickets, and a series secured with a game to spare
Giro d’Italia: Simon Yates seals overall victory as Olav Kooij wins final stage – as it happened
Here is Jeremy Whittle’s Stage 21 report:Thanks for reading and emailing in. Congratulations to Simon Yates and all the team. See you next time.“Life comes around, it gives and it takes.”“Honestly, I think it’s really still sinking in,” says the Giro d’Italia champion
French Open: Swiatek and Sabalenka advance, Paolini out – as it happened
Alcaraz attacks from the off on Shelton’s serve, getting the break back at the first opportunity, to 15, as Shelton skews wide. Having waited more than two hours to break, Shelton will be mad at himself that he conceded it without a fight. A quick hold from Alcaraz, and they’re back on serve, with the defending champ up 7-6, 6-3, 3-3. And Tiafoe is about to serve for the first set, leading Altmaier 5-3. I’m afraid that’s all from us for today, but do join us again tomorrow when the fourth round continues
Benjamina Ebuehi’s recipe for glazed cinnamon focaccia | The sweet spot
Rustic no more: let’s drink to Sicilian wine
Children injured, wildlife slaughtered, forests ravaged: is it time to ban disposable barbecues?
Rachel Roddy’s recipe for spaghetti with prawns, courgettes and gremolata | A kitchen in Rome
Tell us: will you continue to buy takeaway coffee as prices rise?
How to turn aquafaba into a delectable vegan chocolate mousse – recipe | Waste not