For anyone with an interest in WWII history or British politics, the Churchill War Rooms and Museum are an absolute must. They are divided into two areas: the original Cabinet War Rooms, including the all-important Map Room, and the Churchill Museum, which chronicles the life and work of the revered wartime leader. You can explore the exhibits independently with the aid of a complimentary audio guide. Some organized excursions combine entrance to the Churchill War Rooms with guided tours of Westminster Abbey and nearby WWII sites. London Pass holders get free entry to the Churchill War Rooms.
Allow at least 1.5 hours to explore the Churchill War Rooms.
The Churchill War Rooms are accessible to wheelchair users.
Book tickets in advance for fast-track entry.
The Churchill War Rooms and Museum are located on Clive Steps, just off Whitehall. The nearest Underground stations are Westminster (Jubilee, District, and Circle lines) and St. James’s Park (District and Circle lines). Charing Cross railway station is about a 12-minute walk away.
The Churchill War Rooms are busiest during the summer months (May through August); during school breaks (such as around Easter, and during February and October breaks); and on Saturdays. To avoid the crowds, go midweek.
The Churchill War Rooms are not the only attraction in town to delve into WWII history. The Imperial War Museum in Lambeth, South London, also features WWII-oriented exhibits. A stone’s throw away on the South Bank sits HMSBelfast, a warship that took part in the Normandy landings in 1944, while Parliament Square hosts a statue of Winston Churchill. Bletchley Park, the Victorian estate where British intelligence cracked Germany’s enigma code, is within day-tripping distance of London.
