Walk the top-secret corridors of Churchill War Rooms and glimpse what life would have been like during the tense days and nights of the Second World War.

Opening Times

9:30am to 6pm daily, last entry at 5pm.
Closed 24 to 26 December 2023.
Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AQ (view map)

Tickets

Booking in advance is highly recommended to guarantee entry. A limited number of walk up tickets are usually available on the day – best availability for these is typically in the afternoon.

Visit Churchill War Rooms

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Voice over: “Hidden beneath the streets of Westminster, discover the secret underground headquarters where the course of the Second World War was determined at Churchill War Rooms. Step back in time and explore the historic rooms left exactly as they were."

Churchill: "A victory won not only for ourselves but for all."

Voice over: "Then uncover the former Prime Minister's life and legacy in the extensive Churchill Museum, London's must-see attraction. Search Churchill War Rooms and book your visit today."

Drama lies beneath Westminster

Housing the underground nerve centre where the British government directed the Second World War and the award-winning Churchill Museum, Churchill War Rooms is one of London’s must-see attractions.

Winner of a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2023.

Book your visit to Churchill War Rooms

 

Guided Tour: The Secrets of the War Rooms

Image of guided tour at Churchill War Rooms
IWM

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am 

Join our expert guides for a fascinating early-bird tour exploring highlights from the War Rooms.

Starting before we open to the public, this tour covers what it was like to live and work beneath the streets of London during the Second World War, navigates you through the secret corridors, and explores more about the character and actions of Churchill himself.

Find out more

  • Visitors in the Map Room at Churchill War Rooms

    History was made in Churchill War Rooms – the underground bunker that allowed Britain’s leaders to plot the allied route to victory during the Second World War.

  • Visitors looking at the timeline table in the Churchill Museum

    Find out about Churchill's remarkable 90-year life, leadership and legacy, from his lonely childhood to his military career, two periods as Prime Minister and beyond in the interactive Churchill Museum.

  • People walking down corridor at Churchill War Rooms
    IWM

    Every ticket includes a free audio guide that will take you through this momentous site. Available in a selection of languages and a family-friendly version. 

Discover what's here

Stories from the museum

No other museum tells stories that matter more than these.

Weather news board in Churchill War Rooms
IWM HU 43777
Second World War

A Short History of The Cabinet War Rooms

During the Second World War, a group of basement offices in Whitehall served as the centre of Britain’s war effort. The complex, known as the Cabinet War Rooms, was occupied by leading government ministers, military strategists and Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Joy Hunter, a typist in the Churchill War Rooms during the Second World War, sits behind a desk
Second World War

Joy Hunter on life as a typist at Churchill War Rooms

Joy Hunter was a typist in the Churchill War Rooms during the Second World War. She recalls what it was like to see Winston Churchill at work - and tells the story of one memorable evening with the film loving Prime Minister! 

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Stories anytime, anywhere

Uncover stories about IWM Duxford and Churchill War Rooms with our free digital guides available on the Bloomberg Connects app. Delve deeper into the exhibitions at these historical sites and hear insights from IWM curators. 

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More from Churchill War Rooms

  • Churchill war rooms map room

    9 Secrets

    Discover some of the most fascinating hidden truths from the top-secret corridors of Churchill War Rooms.

    Find out more
  • Image showing the inside of Churchill's bedroom in Churchill War Rooms
    © IWM SITE CWR 207

    Museum Collection

    Explore around 800,000 items online that tell the story of modern warfare and conflict, collected by the museum since 1917.

    Collections Online
  • Winston Churchill making his signature V sign

    Videos

    Take a closer look at conflicts big and small on our YouTube channel, drawing from our expert curators and our vast collection of film, photography and objects. This is history you won't see anywhere else.

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How you can help

As a charity, now more than ever IWM needs your support to ensure we can continue to tell personal stories and experiences of conflict for current and future generations to come. 

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. 

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.

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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.

The wit and wisdom of Winston

Shop our range of gifts inspired by Winston Churchill, from mugs and books, to t-shirts, cufflinks and the famous bow tie.
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