If you really want to gain a greater appreciation for this vibrant and historic city then you cannot go wrong with a visit to Churchill’s War Rooms. Here you can go back in time and walk through the underground bunker where the fearless leader conducted much of his wartime planning and strategising, with those closest to him.
I think it is no secret that London was put through the ringer during the war and life was far from easy. With bombings, strict rationing and the fear of Hitler overtaking Europe, or worse making it across the channel, the Brits had to have great grit and take a hardline to stop this from happening. Had Churchill not been leading Britain at the time, we may have had a very different world today.
The War Rooms are one of 5 museums (known as the IWM or Imperial War Museums) located in different spots around London and the UK. They showcase experiences of ‘Modern Conflict’ and give us a sense of what everyday life could have been like during war time.
Visiting ‘The War Rooms’ was the absolute highlight of my recent trip back to London, and it is such a wonderful learning experience if you love history.
Ok, so let’s talk details:
Location
You can find the entrance directly opposite St James Park in the heart of the city, just a stones throw away from Big Ben. Enter from Horse Guards Road, which is a short stroll from Westminster Underground Station (Circle, District and Jubilee lines).
Opening hours
9.30am-6pm 7 days a week. Last entry is 5 pm. During Summer (July and August) closing time is 7pm, meaning the last entry is 5.45pm.
I suggest you allow a good few hours to get the full experience and not feel rushed. I was down there for 2-3 hours to explore thoroughly, and I still didn’t go through everything in the back section of the museum. This was because I was tired and couldn’t absorb any more (it was my THIRD Museum day in a row). TOP TIP: Even if you are a museum freak like me, do not plan these for back to back days or you or you might get a little over it; and not fully appreciate the experiences. #liveandlearn
Cost
It is a little pricey, but so worth it. Adult tickets are £22 pound ($40 AUD/ $27 USD). This includes the AUDIO GUIDE, which is greaaaat and so informative!
By purchasing online beforehand you can get priority entry. I didn’t and I wish I had because there were quite a few people ahead of me…well that and I’m impatient; and hate waiting in lines. However, I don’t think I have ever met anyone who likes standing in a queue! #aintnobodygottime
What to expect
Twelve feet below street level, the War Rooms were the centre of military operations and the beating heart of England during her darkest hours. You will walk the same corridors from the 1940s and see everything from living quarters and communications equipment to the famous map room where many heart-wrenching decisions had to be made.
You will also find a museum at the very back of the complex that details the life of Sir Winston Churchill from his childhood days all the way until his death in 1965 (twenty years after the war had ended). I felt like I was walking through a biography that has come to life.
Other useful tips:
Go early to avoid crowds
Enough said. It can get a little tight in some sections down there, which brings me to my next point…
Be wary of tighter or more narrow spaces
It can be difficult, at times, to take photos and it is important to be considerate of those around you.
There is NO cloakroom
Leave the bulky items and bags at your accommodation.
I have always thought that Churchill had a way with words and I want to leave you with this absolute banger (in reference to the Battle of Britain):
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”.
Sir Winston Churchill, 20th August 1940
Now that’s a powerful statement right there from what was a remarkable leader. Make sure if you are visiting London you give yourself a few hours to go underground and learn about one of the most intriguing and important political figures of the Second World War… As well as getting an insight into the lives of men and women (both Military and Civilian) that took part in such important work — metres underground, while others walked the streets above.
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