Permanent

Churchill War Rooms

Everyone

Free exhibition with general admission

Life underground

Women at the switchboard in Churchill's Bunker
© IWM H 7212

For six years, hundreds of men and women would spend thousands of hours working and sleeping in the Cabinet War Rooms.

This small exhibition, is located opposite the Transatlantic Telephone Room and just before the entrance to the Churchill Museum. 

Discover stories and objects that provide a glimpse into the life of the people who set up this secret site, kept it secure, and worked here in a variety of roles. 

Highlights

  • Remington ‘noiseless’ Typewriter used at Churchill War Rooms
    © IWM (COM 1076)

    Noiseless Typewriter

    Churchill hated all noise distractions, so specially adapted typewriters were imported from the United States to be used by secretaries.

  • Letter written by Edith Florence Cochrane (known as 'Peggy', later Gibson) to her boyfriend/fiancé (later husband), Signalman Ronald Gibson (May - June 1944, March - November 1945)
    © Stephen Gibson

    Untold Stories

    Sleeping down in the ‘dock’, working 110 hours a week, and using sun lamps to substitute sunshine, discover stories from inside the War Rooms.

  • CWR Pass
    © IWM 10250

    Tight Security

    While open to the public today, during the war you would have needed a special pass to gain access to the War Rooms. 

More at Churchill War Rooms

Three visitors interact with an visual timeline in the Churchill Museum
IWM
Permanent Gallery
Churchill War Rooms

Churchill Museum

Permanent
A large map displayed on the wall of the Cabinet Room behind Churchill's desk
Permanent Gallery
Churchill War Rooms

Cabinet War Rooms

Permanent
Winston Churchill in front of a map and a clock from the Cabinet War Rooms
© IWM
Churchill War Rooms

Churchill 2024 Events

This year, join IWM in marking the 150th anniversary since Churchill’s birth with a series of special events.