Churchill War Rooms

The Churchill War Rooms have been restored to their original state providing visitors with a strong sense of this time in history

Inside the Map Room in the Churchill War Rooms Museum
Inside the Map Room in the Churchill War Rooms Museum cc licensed photo by John Antoni Griffiths

The Churchill War Rooms is a museum located in the original Cabinet War Rooms which were central to the strategic operations of the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Airforce during World War II. In 1984 the rooms were restored to their original state and opened to the public as a museum and subsequently, in 2003, there was a further expansion that added the quarters used to house Churchill along with his wife and associates.

This museum is part of the Imperial War Museums and offers visitors insights and a feel for one of the darker times in our modern history. The main hub of activity in the War Rooms was the map room where intelligence was gathered and displayed around the clock by officers and daily briefings were prepared for the chiefs of staff, the Prime Minister and the King.

During the latter part of the war another room, the Transatlantic Telephone Room, was used for a special encrypted telephone that allowed Churchill to make secure calls to President Roosevelt in Washington.

Today this museum receives over 300,000 visitors each year. The Churchill War Rooms are open daily from 9:30 am until 6 pm except for December 24-26. This museum does have an admission charge, however anyone aged 15 and under is free.

There are many other attractions within easy walking distance of the Churchill War Rooms Museum. Some of these include The Horse Guards Parade, Saint James's Park, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. These attractions can be nicely combined into a memorable one or two day walking tour.

For more information about the Churchill War Rooms as well as exhibitions and hours visit their official website.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Churchill War Rooms Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ, UK

Phone: 020 7416 5000

Official Website: Churchill War Rooms

Churchill War Rooms Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating Awesome, one of the highlights of our trip. We visited on New Years Day and were allowed in early which was great as it was super cold. Wonderful history, we had the audio guides and they were easy to use and provided the needed info to appreciate what we were seeing. In line with what others are saying the first stop (the cabinet room) is always crowded, but that's because it's the first stop on a timed entrance, the crowd thins out quickly, we hung back to appreciate it more. Pity it's no longer on the London Pass, and it cost a fair bit for our family, but still give it 5 stars.
Matt Wilson - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating This is a great place to visit, especially if you’re a history buff. It’s amazing how well preserved the war rooms are. They’ve done a great job in keeping it well maintained. They offer a self guided tour which can take about 1.5 to 2 hours if you take your time are take in everything there is available. The gift shop offers some cool stuff but they have a couple of books that delve deeper into the history of this place.
joe h - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating It could be the most impressive museum I've ever been to. Every exhibit is incredibly well-made, with just the proper amount of information to read quickly and on to the next. Because of its tiny size, you should budget two to three hours if you want to see everything on a busy day. I didn't even realize we had been there for so long because everything was so captivating that the time flew past! It was strange to see things left exactly as they were after the war ended and the rooms closed, and the interactive exhibits are fascinating. There is undoubtedly a presence there, particularly when you hear the testimonies of the deceased.
Babji Vundavilli - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating The Churchill War Rooms is an incredible piece of world history that is quite unassuming and easy to miss from street level however, step inside and head underground and something rather special unfolds. The discreet entrance is tucked away at a corner of the building and you enter through the glazed doors and copper canopy roof. Stairs or a lift then take you underground to the reception area where you get further information on the war rooms but also, this is where you pick up your audio guide screen and headset that is all included in your ticket price. Toilets are available at this location should you need before you set off. As you start your exploration, each key stage is numbered and corresponds to a spoken and visual recording on your AV equipment. Multiple languages are available and the content is perfect…. Easy to understand and sufficient in detail. It’s hard to imagine that after WW2, this place was simply shut down and left just as the last people down here walked out and locked it up. The Churchill War Rooms is a superb piece of history that is set out to enable people to absorb themselves into the reality of what was going on down here, the significance of their work and life itself. There is so much to see, look at, listen to and watch and you would need a few visits to do it all in detail however, if you allow a couple of hours you will have had a thorough insight and a great experience stepping back in time. Plenty of helpful staff on hand along with a cafe and gift shop should you desire. The Churchill War Rooms is a great experience and something definitely worth doing if you have a couple of hours spare whilst in London.
John Gledhill - 6 months ago

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5 Star Rating Could very well be the most impressive museum I've visited. Each of the exhibits is extremely well done, with exactly the right amount of information to read in a timely manner and continue moving on to the next. It's a small space, so if it is a crowded day, and you want to see everything, expect to spend 4-5 hours. The time went by so fast because everything is so engrossing, we didn't even realize we had been there for so long! The interactive exhibits are fascinating and seeing things left just as they were when the war was over and the Rooms closed was surreal. There's definitely a presence to be felt there, especially as you listen to the stories of those who lived through it via the many videos. For any history buff, this is an experience you must do whilst in London. Thoroughly, utterly impressed.
Susan Carr - 6 months ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Circle, District and Jubilee LineWestminster8 minutes
Northern and Bakerloo LineCharing Cross10 minutes

How to get to Churchill War Rooms by Tube

From Charing Cross Station exit to Trafalger Square and exit the roundabout onto The Mall and then go south (left) on Horse Guards Road to the entrance just right of the Clive steps and monument.

From Westminster Station take Exit 6 and go left out of the underpass, then go right on Great George Street and right onto Horse Guards Road to the entrance just right of the Clive Steps and monument.

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