Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms

The Churchill Museum is the first major museum dedicated to the life and achievements of Sir Winston Churchill. The museum combines cutting-edge technology; rare and significant historical objects; and thousands of images, film and sound recordings to tell the story of Churchill’s ninety-year life. This permanent exhibition is housed within the unique historic setting of the Cabinet War Rooms, the secret underground headquarters that were the nerve centre of Britain’s war effort.

All visitors are provided with a free personal Acoustiguide sound guide, available in English (adult, family and visually impaired version), French, German, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, Dutch and Mandarin.

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Opening times:	Daily 9.30am – 6.00pm. Last admission 5.30pm, closed Dec 24-26.

This magnificently evocative museum occupies the bunkers where Churchill, his cabinet and generals met during WWII. Protected by 3m of solid concrete, they were able to coordinate their strategy for defeating Hitler. It was from here that Churchill made the stirring speeches that helped galvanise the British populace.

Particularly notable are the room where the Cabinet held over 100 meetings during the war, the converted broom cupboard that was Churchill's office, the cramped typing pool where ladies worked feverishly around the clock, the Telegraph Room with a hotline to Roosevelt, and the Map Room with charts showing the movements of troops and ships. In the Chief of Staff's Conference Room, the walls are covered with huge, original maps that were only discovered in 2002.

The audio guide is very informative and entertaining - when the blasted thing works - and features anecdotes from people who worked here in the nerve centre of Britain's war effort, including petrified trainee typists who took dictation from the cigar-chewing, speech-impeded and short-tempered Churchill.

Traveller Rating:

Based on 29 reviews

Ranked #5

Latest 5 reviews of Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms

Would see it again!

To be clear, this review if for the Cabinet War Rooms, not the Churchill Museum portion (reviews are posted separately). This was an absolutely fascinating place. Peeking into all the rooms...

To be clear, this review if for the Cabinet War Rooms, not the Churchill Museum portion (reviews are posted separately).

This was an absolutely fascinating place. Peeking into all the rooms, you can just imagine what it was like during the war. The audio tour adds to the overall experience. In our ever-changing world, it's refreshing to visit a spot where things have been left "as is" so future generations can learn about it.

What's nice is that you can go about at your own pace and really have a good look at things. Or let school groups pass by. I was curious as to how things were downstairs, but it was off limits - apparently it was more war staff beds and private facilities.

If you need a break, there's a small cafe inside with a unique atmosphere.

Check the current London Walks schedule - certain tours will get you a discount here at the end of the walk.

14 July 2008

by offtolondon, Washington, D.C. Metro Area

Interesting and Tactile Museum

This is an excellent museum and not to be missed if you have any interest in WWII. The Churchill Exhibition is very well done with plenty to keep the whole family occupied (although young children...

This is an excellent museum and not to be missed if you have any interest in WWII. The Churchill Exhibition is very well done with plenty to keep the whole family occupied (although young children may struggle). We only expected to be in there for an hour or two, but ended up spending close to 4 hours reading, listening and watching many of the exhibits. As is the case with many of the tourist attractions in London the entry can be a little steep, however if you have an Oyster Card (which I would recommend getting if you are visiting London) you can currently get 2 for the price of 1 entry.

19 May 2008

by andymconline, London

Even if you just are slightly interested in WWII

This was great. A little pricey on the American Dollar, but well worth it. It was truly like travelling back in time. Much of the place is kept similar to what it was like in the 1940s -- complete...

This was great. A little pricey on the American Dollar, but well worth it. It was truly like travelling back in time. Much of the place is kept similar to what it was like in the 1940s -- complete with the Trans-Atlantic Phone, Churchill's Room, his kitchen, and the war rooms. Afterwards, there is a pretty extensive Churchill Museum detailing his life. The place is a very good size, and when we went they gave a student discount. It wasn't too crowded, as we went in the morning.

27 April 2008

by Janda05, New York

One of the best experiences in London

I love this museum. It's not a place to spend hours and hours like some of London's other museums, but for a smaller sight it is fantastic. There is nothing more interesting to me than being able...

I love this museum. It's not a place to spend hours and hours like some of London's other museums, but for a smaller sight it is fantastic. There is nothing more interesting to me than being able to learn about history in the exact spot that it happened. The museum is very user-friendly and everything is very well marked and described so you know exactly what you're looking at. I would go to this museum even if it was off the beaten path, but considering that it is right at the edge of St. James's Park in the center of London, there is no reason to miss it... Even if you are not a histoy buff it is a fascinating place.

4 March 2008

by JenC-7, Phoenix, AZ

do not miss this amazing museum

I'm not a ww2 survivor or contemporary of that war, nor a Churchill buff, nor a spelunker. But this was a highlight of our trip last year, and we'll go back this year. This museum brings history to life and is an intimate, fascinating look at an individual who changed the twentieth century. just go, take your time, and soak up the well-presented material--then get every child or teen you know to go with you and learn about the war that set the stage for the political-economic system we live in today.

3 March 2008

by drsh99, chicago

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Prices and Booking for Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms

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Prices:

Adult:	From £12.00 full price
Concession:	From £9.50 concession

Location Information Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms

Address:	Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London London SW1A 2AQ
Telephone:	+44 (0)20 7930 6961
Fax:	+44 (0)20 7930 5897
Email:	cwr@iwm.org.uk
Website:	www.iwm.org.uk
Public transport:	Nearest tube station Westminster (Jubilee, District or Circle Line) or St James's Park (District and Circle Line) Nearest train station Charing Cross – 10 min walk By bus 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 77a, 88, 109, 159, 184, 211.
By road:	There are no special designated parking spaces for visitors to the Cabinet War Rooms. Parking in surrounding streets is metered from 9.30 to 6.30pm Monday to Friday. The closest parking station is: Masterpark, Abingdon Car Park, Great College Street, SW1 1XX Phone: 020 7222 8621.