Many of us will know The Grove in Watford as a luxury five-star retreat set in stunning countryside and being one of Hertfordshire’s most prestigious venues.

But what you may not have known is that The Grove is also home to some underground war bunkers that date back to World War Two.

Air raid shelters from this period can still be seen in the grounds today and new video footage published on YouTube by 'Watford Fromabove' has given people a short tour of what it is like inside the bunkers.

Watford Observer: Inside the underground war bunkers in the grounds of The Grove (photo Watford Fromabove)Inside the underground war bunkers in the grounds of The Grove (photo Watford Fromabove)

The tunnels were used by the London, Midland and Scottish (LMS) Railway company when its offices were relocated to The Grove during WWII.

Large undertakings in towns and cities were actively seeking alternative accommodation for their staff at the request of the Government.

With this in mind the LMS felt it would be wise to evacuate their London based headquarters organisation.

Watford Observer: Inside underground war bunkers in the grounds of The Grove (photo Watford Fromabove) Inside underground war bunkers in the grounds of The Grove (photo Watford Fromabove)

For security purposes any purchase had to be kept "Top Secret".

The shelters are actually on the hotel's land, next to the golf course. 

The footage shows heaps of debris on the ground in the underground bunkers, while there is also some graffiti on the walls.

*Warning: the video below contains flashing lights

Inside the underground bunkers in the grounds of The Grove (video Watford FromAbove)

In the 1940s, The Grove became the secret wartime HQ for the London, Midland & Scottish Railway - of great strategic importance, it was called simply ‘Project X’.

The Local Defence Volunteers was formed, eventually becoming the Home Guard, which patrolled The Grove and surrounding roads from dusk till dawn.

After Dunkirk, when an attack seemed most likely, they began patrolling with loaded rifles.