Churchill War Rooms

Overview

The Churchill War Rooms are the underground bunker complex beneath Whitehall where Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet directed Britain's strategy during World War II. Now part of the Imperial War Museums, the rooms are preserved exactly as they were left in 1945.

Highlights

• Cabinet War Room: The room where Churchill's War Cabinet met, with the original chairs, maps, and telephones still in place.
• Map Room: The nerve center of wartime operations, with original wall maps and pins marking troop and ship movements.
• Churchill Museum: An interactive exhibition covering Churchill's life from birth to death, including personal artifacts and original documents.

History

The War Rooms were constructed in 1938 beneath the Treasury building as a secure headquarters for the British government. Churchill used them from 1940 until the end of the war. They were sealed in 1945 and opened to the public in 1984.

Visitor Tips

• Book online: Timed entry tickets are required and popular slots sell out — book 1–2 weeks ahead.
• Audio guide: The free audio guide (included) is excellent and narrated with archival recordings.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.