Visiting the Churchill War Rooms: tickets, highlights and tips

Beneath the government buildings of Whitehall lies one of London’s most remarkable museums. Winston Churchill and his staff ran much of Britain’s war effort from these underground rooms during the Second World War. When the war ended in 1945, the lights were turned off and much of the complex was left as it was. Today it is run by the Imperial War Museums, and it is only a short walk from Westminster Station.

Planning your visit

• Where: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AQ. The entrance is small and easy to miss, at the foot of the steps facing St James’s Park.
• Getting there: walk from Westminster Station past Parliament Square, which takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Opening times: generally 9:30 am to 6 pm, with last entry at 5 pm and some earlier openings. It closes from 24 to 26 December. Check the museum’s website before you go.
• Tickets: adult tickets cost more than £30. An audio guide is normally included. The museum recommends booking in advance.
• How long: allow at least two hours to see both the rooms and the museum.

What to see

• The Cabinet Room: Churchill’s War Cabinet met here, often during air raids. The room is laid out as if the meeting were about to begin.
• The Map Room: this was the heart of the bunker, staffed day and night. The maps and coloured telephones were left as they were when the staff walked out in August 1945.
• Churchill’s bedroom: a small room with a desk and a bed. He rarely slept here, but he made several of his wartime broadcasts from this part of the bunker.
• The Transatlantic Telephone Room: a tiny room with a door made to look like a lavatory, from which Churchill could speak directly to President Roosevelt.
• The Churchill Museum: a large gallery on his whole life, including his failures as well as his triumphs.

When to go

The corridors are narrow, and the rooms are seen through glass, so crowds make a big difference. Go as early as you can, or in the last couple of hours of the day. School holidays and wet days are the busiest times. Take a look at the museum’s calendar too, as opening times change through the year.

Tips

• Take your time with the audio guide: it tells the stories of the people who worked here, from typists to generals.
• Bring small bags only: space is tight underground.
• Not for very young children: older children and teenagers often enjoy it, but it is a lot of reading and listening for little ones.

What to see nearby

You can combine the visit with the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, both a few minutes away. Buckingham Palace is across St James’s Park, and Trafalgar Square is at the far end of Whitehall. Our one-day itinerary links them on foot, and we also have a guide to where to eat near Westminster.