See war through the eyes of the people who lived it. Be moved. Be inspired. Be transformed.

Opening Times

Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ (view map)

Tickets

Free Admission, advanced booking advised for timed entry.
Walk up anytime on the day, at busy times you may need to wait.
Coronavirus information
Read our safety information and frequently asked questions.
Book your visit to IWM London

Before you book please consider supporting IWM by becoming a member.

 

As a thank you for your support, you will enjoy free admission to our charging branches including IWM Duxford, Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast.

Book Your Tickets
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Secrets of the Imperial War Museum

Discover more about the brand new six-part documentary series exploring behind-the-scenes at all five of IWM's branches.
Find out more
New episode every Friday at 7pm from 26 November on Channel 5.

Visit our new galleries

Dedicated to conserving, displaying and interpreting stories of the most devastating conflict in human history, IWM London is the first museum in the world to house Second World War Galleries and The Holocaust Galleries under the same roof. These new galleries will change the way we understand the past for generations to come.  Spanning two floors, these vast new galleries bring together the stories of real people from diverse communities to examine the complex relationship between the Holocaust and the course and consequences of the Second World War.

Holocaust exhibition with two visitors
©IWM
Permanent Display

The Holocaust Galleries

IWM London
Permanent

Now Open
Visitors exploring the Second World War exhibition
Permanent Display

Second World War Galleries

IWM London
Permanent

Now Open

During busy periods, we cannot guarantee access to the new Second World War and The Holocaust Galleries, even if you have pre booked a general admission ticket. You may have to collect a timed ticket from the info desk on level 0 to enter the new galleries.

Discover IWM London

  • IWM London Exterior Summer
    IWM

    Imperial War Museums is the world’s leading museum of war and conflict. Founded while the First World War was still raging, it gives voice to the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people forced to live their lives in a world torn apart by conflict.

  • Man and Woman stand underneath the Spitfire in the IWM London atrium
    © IWM

    From the moment you step into the iconic atrium, to the countless discoveries awaiting you in the award-winning galleries, IWM London examines the continuing influence of war on our world.

  • Veteran speaking to child at IWM London
    ©IWM

    Hear extraordinary true stories of ordinary people’s experiences of conflict across the museum’s six floors – stories that have the power to move, inspire and transform.

Exhibitions & Installations

Wim Wenders: Photographing Ground Zero

Exhibitions & Installations

Wim Wenders: Photographing Ground Zero

10 September 2021 to 9 January 2022
IWM London
In November 2001, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Wim Wenders visited Ground Zero to capture the devastation caused by the 9/11 terror attacks and the huge recovery operation being undertaken. Wim Wenders: Photographing Ground Zero presents large scale photographs taken less than two months after the attacks, as the gravity of these events left a new world in their wake.
Read more
Visitor with her back to the camera, looking at photograph in Wim Wenders: Photographing Ground Zero
Exhibitions & Installations

Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors

Exhibitions & Installations

Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors

Until 9 January 2022
IWM London
In partnership with the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) and Jewish News, Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors will showcase new works from 14 contemporary photographers. Displayed for the very first time, these powerful photographs capture the special connections between Holocaust survivors and the younger generations of their families.
Read more
Sir Ben Helfgott MBE with his grandson Sam
© Frederic Aranda.

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.

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 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. 

Home Learning Resources

From spies to submarines and life on the home front, Imperial War Museums is sharing unique and personal stories from our extraordinary collections. 

Poster image for episode of Adventures in History: Carers Part One
IWM
History, Media Studies

Carers - Part One

Discover how people cared for the wounded in the First World War, how they used their skills and resourcefulness to make sure the injured were cared for.
Adventures in History: D-Day - People and Planning
History

D-Day: People and Planning

Want to hear about the biggest invasion by land, sea and air in history? Discover how D-Day was planned and learn about the real people who were part of it.
Poster for Family Mission: Animal Investigators
History

Family Mission: Animal Investigators

Use your animal investigator skills to find out what roles these special animals played during wartime. 
IWM Home Learning Hub

Stories from the museum

No other museum tells stories that matter more than these.

  • Wing Commander Guy Gibson with members of his crew, July 1943.
    IWM TR 1127

    History

    From the First World War to the present day, explore our articles on war and conflict, and its impact on service personnel and civilians. 

    Browse articles
  • The Baghdad car, damaged in a car bomb attack on the book market at Al-Mutanabbi Street in central Baghdad in 2007
    © IWM

    Museum Collection

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

    Objects at IWM London
  • Mike, one of the veterans participating in IWM's We Were There programme
    IWM

    We Were There

    We Were There is Imperial War Museums’ remarkable programme where visitors can meet real life veterans and eyewitnesses of war. Although it’s not currently possible to meet our We Were There volunteers, you can discover more about the people behind the stories.

    Learn more

IWM stories straight to your inbox

Sign up to our eNews for fascinating stories from our collections. From warships, to love letters and camouflage trees, hear extraordinary stories of ordinary people in times of conflict. Sign up now and get 10% off online shop purchases.

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