The Churchill War Rooms offer a glimpse into the past through the secret underground headquarters that Winston Churchill used during World War II. Providing both privacy and protection, the top-secret complex beneath Westminster offers an authentic look at the quarters where Churchill and his war cabinet lived and worked.
Each year, over 600,000 visitors come to the Churchill War Rooms and spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the cabinet rooms, corridors and private quarters of Churchill. The attraction is a must-visit for anyone interested in World War II or history in general.
Churchill War Rooms in London - one of the highlights of 8 Places to Learn Something New in London (Read all about London here)
photo by Kaihsu Tai (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Highlights of the Churchill War Rooms
The Churchill War Rooms offer unique locations that transport you back to World War II. When you visit, you’ll walk the corridors that lead to the Cabinet War Rooms, all lined with interpretative panels that tell the stories of the people who lived and worked in the bunker.
You’ll also see the Transatlantic Telephone Room, a cupboard room that Churchill used to correspond with the president of the United States. Another highlight is the BBC Broadcast Room, a radio equipment room that connected to Maida Vale Studios and the Broadcasting House to relay Churchill’s speeches.
Good to know when visiting the Churchill War Rooms
To maintain the historic nature of the bunker and its artefacts, visitor capacity at the Churchill War Rooms is limited. You can pre-book tickets to reserve a time slot for entry. There may be a queue to enter the museum, so it’s best to arrive early to ensure that you can enter at your designated time.
The Churchill War Rooms are part of the Imperial War Museums, a group of museums dedicated to war and conflict. You can visit the Imperial War Museums after the Churchill War Rooms to see exhibits like the Holocaust Exhibition, the First World War Galleries and the Lord Ashcroft Gallery.
photo by Jdhowens90 (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Churchill War Rooms in London
Location: Clive Steps, King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ, UK
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm
Phone: +44 (0)2074 165000
Start planning your trip
Where to stay in London
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
The Tower Hotel, London
President Hotel
St Giles Hotel - London
St. David's Hotels
Yotel London City
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Royal National Hotel
Mitre House Hotel
