No other museum tells stories that matter more than these

Three Auxiliary Territorial Service plotters at a plotting table, Headquarters of 428 Battery, Coast Defence Artillery
© IWM TR 572

IWM is a global authority on conflict and its impact on people’s lives. We collect objects and stories that give an insight into people’s experiences of war, preserve them for future generations, and bring them to today’s audiences in the most powerful way possible.

Our family of five museums uncover the causes, course and consequences of war, from the First World War through to present-day conflict.  

Explore stories online

What we do

  • HMS Belfast with Tower Bridge behind with a bright blue sky. Imperial War Museums venue hire.
    © IWM

    Our five museums

    Experience the personal stories and experiences in our unique collections in a visit to our family of five museums.

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  • IWM’s Project Conservator treating a SWW flying helmet in the conservation lab
    IWM

    Collections Care & Development

    Our unique collections stretch from the everyday to the exceptional and contain some of the most important artefacts relating to Britain and its role in conflict since 1914.  Our curatorial and collections management teams work to preserve and champion our collections. 

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  • Mr Koi Obuadabang-Larbi, BA, Superintendent of West Indies House, a Merchant Seamen's Hostel works at the typewriter in his office.
    © IWM D 5767

    Research

    IWM is an Independent Research Organisation (IRO). Our curators actively engage with the academic community in new and challenging ways in order to deepen our understanding of war and its impact and to enrich our public outputs.  

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  • A party of British troops with guns and shovels at Fleurbaix.
    Credit: IWM Q649

    Partnerships

    IWM works in partnership with local, national and international organisations to support the work of the wider cultural sector, reach new audiences, and develop our collections, ensuring they are shared with the world.

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  • Pupils visiting IWM North
    © IWM

    Learning & Outreach

    Our learning and outreach programmes aim to give everyone the opportunity to understand, explore and debate the human impact of conflict. 

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  • Imperial War Museums Duxford, dining tables for event under Concorde
    © IWM

    Commercial services

    Hire our unique spaces, explore our media archives for licensing or work with us on retail and publishing opportunities.  

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How to support IWM

IWM Membership

Become an IWM Member

Help tell the stories that deserve to be heard by supporting us as a member. Uncover a host of benefits including free standard admission to Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast and IWM Duxford.

A Balloon Site, Coventry
© IWM (ART LD 2750)

Donate Now

Make a donation to IWM and help us to tell the stories of those affected by conflict, launch our ground-breaking exhibitions and deliver our world-class learning programmes. 

Volunteer Nikki in action

Volunteer with IWM

At IWM we are extremely proud to be a volunteer involving organisation with over 1000 volunteers across our five sites. Our volunteers help bring to life the stories of our collections, care for our many significant objects and promote great customer experiences.

IWM Governance

The IWM Duxford Conservation Team removing wing bolts
IWM
Conservation in Action IWM Duxford

We are committed to ensuring the Museum is run in an open and honest way. The processes and policies by which the museum is governed are available below. 

Trustees

Corporate plan & Annual reports

Funding

Policies & procedures (including Freedom of Information and how to make FOI requests)