Overseas Schools, Colleges and Youth Groups | Imperial War Museums

The Battle of Britain

The battle begins, summer 1940
The battle begins, summer 1940

After defeating France in June 1940, Hitler assumed Britain would sue for peace but ordered his armed forces to prepare for invasion. Hermann Goering assured him that a sustained air assault would destroy the RAF, winning the air superiority needed.
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940

July 1940 saw German planes target shipping in the Channel, drawing the RAF into combat, before radar stations, communications centres and airfields faced round-the-clock bombing in August. The battle reached a climax with attacks on London in September.
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)

Joan 'Elizabeth' Mortimer, Elspeth Henderson and Helen Turner of the WAAF. All three received the Military Medal for courageous conduct during attacks on Biggin Hill airfield. Biggin Hill suffered a total of ten major attacks between 30 Aug and 5 Sept.
Non-British personnel in the RAF
Non-British personnel in the RAF

A group of pilots of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF return from a sortie. The first Polish squadrons were formed in the summer of 1940. Pilots came from several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand and the USA.
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford

RAF Duxford was a Sector Station in 12 Group, responsible for defending the Midlands and East Anglia. As the fighting intensified, Duxford's squadrons were called on to support 11 Group's defence of London and the south-east.
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF

Despite incessant attacks, the RAF's defences held. The Luftwaffe could not continue, and in the autumn switched to 'nuisance' raids and night operations. The failure to defeat the RAF convinced Hitler to postpone his invasion plans indefinitely.

Horrible Histories: Spies

Horrible Histories: Spies
Horrible Histories: Spies

Based on Terry Deary’s book Spies from the best-selling Horrible Histories® series, the exhibition reveals stories of real spies and their secret schemes during the Second World War.
Horrible Histories: Spies
Horrible Histories: Spies

See if you can separate the facts from the fiction as you discover the terrible tricks and great gadgets used by Second World War spies to make secret war on the enemy.
Horrible Histories: Spies
Horrible Histories: Spies

Find out about the real wartime spies who risked their lives to send secret messages, passed on whopping lies to the enemy and fooled the enemy with their devious disguises. And then put your own undercover skills to the test...
Horrible Histories: Spies
Horrible Histories: Spies

Meet the spy rats including Camo and Devious Disguises rats as you embark on your own spy mission through the exhibition. And be quick – you never know who might be on your tail!
Horrible Histories: Spies
Horrible Histories: Spies

In the deadly world of spies, nothing is what it seems. Find out how sneaky spies camouflaged their kit to hide it from the enemy, and what everyday objects might have exploded without warning.
Splat the Rat!
Splat the Rat!

Exploding rats were used by British spies to sabotage machinery in German factories – have a go at catching the rats for yourself but watch out for the ones that explode without warning!

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IWM London
London
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Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
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IWM North
Manchester
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Last admission 4.30pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

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Cambridgeshire
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Summer 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm

Winter 10am - 4pm
Last admission 3pm

Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
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Churchill War Rooms
London
Open daily 9.30am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
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HMS Belfast
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
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- Visiting Information

Overseas Schools, Colleges and Youth Groups

Overseas schools can explore the permanent galleries at IWM London without pre-booking but must have the correct adult to student supervision ratio – 1:15 as a minimum, 1:10 recommended.

Transforming IWM London

We are undergoing a major building redevelopment and access around the museum is limited. Find out more at Visitor Information.

Overseas school and colleges do not need to book but please help us to plan - tell us you are planning to visit.

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Find out more about our major building redevelopment, transforming IWM London to mark the Centenary of the First World War.

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Our Kitchen Front café is open daily. New for summer 2014: code-breaking kids will love our special cipher pie range.

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