Kingsway telephone exchange, Cold War telephone exchange under High Holborn, London, United Kingdom
Kingsway telephone exchange is an underground telecommunications facility located beneath High Holborn in central London, sitting roughly 100 feet (30 meters) below street level. The complex spans between Hatton Garden and Red Lion Square and housed sophisticated switching equipment designed to handle telephone traffic across the country and overseas.
Originally constructed as an air raid shelter during the 1940s, the facility later underwent conversion by the General Post Office into a functioning telephone exchange. Operations commenced in 1954 and continued to serve telecommunications needs for decades afterward.
The underground complex reflects the importance of communication infrastructure in London's history. Visitors can observe how the spaces were arranged to support the operation of a mid-20th century telephone exchange.
The facility was designed for technical staff and included amenities like a restaurant, tea bar, and recreation areas situated far below ground. Its location beneath busy High Holborn provided protection for sensitive telecommunications equipment while remaining accessible from the city above.
The facility served as the UK termination point for TAT-1, the first transatlantic telephone cable connecting North America directly to Europe. This technical achievement made the exchange a critical hub in the development of international phone communications.
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