Opening times
The Research Room is open five days a week.
Tuesday-Friday we are open for fifteen individual researchers who can order up to 10 items per day.
Mondays are reserved to accommodate up to four researchers for viewing 3D objects or artwork subject to availability. Requests for Monday visits can be made by emailing [email protected]
Please note, advance bookings are essential. For further information, please see our guidelines and FAQs below.
| Open | Close | |
Tuesday |
10 am | 4:30 pm |
Wednesday |
10 am | 4:30 pm |
Thursday |
10 am | 4:30 pm |
Friday |
10 am | 4:30 pm |
Research facilities
IWM 's Research Room is located on the 2nd floor of IWM London in Lambeth Road. Before you plan your visit please see our Getting Here page.
Our research facilities provide access to a treasure trove of original documents, sound recordings, photographs, and IWM's administrative archive records. These collections chart the causes, course and consequences of war and conflict in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in Britain and the Commonwealth, and illustrate personal experiences of those caught up in conflict.
Our Library collection consists of over150,000 items covering twentieth and twenty-first century conflict involving British and Commonwealth countries. Along with material on military units and campaign histories, we have biographies, manuals, items relating to the economic, social and cultural aspects of war, journals, newspapers, ephemera, propaganda and e-resources.
Part of the IWM Institute
Plan your visit
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Book your appointment and request materials
Book your appointment and place your request for material at least seven days in advance of your planned visit.
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Read the guidelines and FAQs
We have prepared a detailed guide to visiting the IWM Research Room and our facilities, in addition to our Frequently Asked Questions. Please read them ahead of your visit.
Please note we are unable to accept group bookings at this time.
Access to IWM Collections Online
Before booking a visit to the Archive and Research Room, you are encouraged to visit Collections Online, as many items have been digitised and can be viewed online rather than in person.
Collections Online provides details about items that can be of use to your research.
Watch our video guides and tips about how to search Collections Online
