Exploring the nerve centre of the British war effort, and learning about wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill make visiting the Churchill War Rooms one of the absolutely essential things to do in London. If you have even a whiff of interest in modern history or World War Two, this is one place you just cannot miss.
The Churchill War Rooms are located in the heart of the government district of Westminster, five minutes’ walk from the Houses of Parliament. Anticipating a war with an aggressive Nazi Germany, a bunker complex of underground rooms was built in late 1938 and early 1939. This would house the Cabinet War Rooms of the British government, a place frequented by senior political and military figures, subject to the highest security checks.
The Cabinet War Rooms comprise the second half of the exhibition in the Churchill War Rooms. The first part is the Churchill Museum, chronicling the life of Churchill, and also looking at how he was perceived at home and abroad.
In this guide to the Churchill War Rooms, I’ll explain what there is to see and cover all the practicalities, including booking your tickets, the time you’re likely to spend there and its location. I include information on getting to the Churchill War Rooms, and places to stay nearby. And I suggest several other World War 2 sites in London to visit if you wish to explore this period of London’s history in more depth.
I hope you find it helpful.
Visiting the Churchill War Rooms – What To See
The Winston Churchill Exhibition
The Churchill Exhibition concentrates on the wartime Prime Minister, who took over leadership of the country on 10th May 1940, succeeding Neville Chamberlain, just as the Nazis were attacking Britain’s Allies in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
It delves into his career prior to the Second World War, including his ministerial appointments until the late 1920s. However the main focus is on his actions during World War Two. The exhibition looks at how he was perceived at home and abroad, and how he became a Great British icon.
Portrait
There are several iconic portraits of Winston Churchill, and one of the most renowned of these is that made by Frank O Salisbury, pictured above.
Churchill sat for six sessions with Salisbury, and from these the artist was able to produce eleven paintings of the statesman. It’s a copy of an original painting, produced around 1943.
Churchill Speeches and Quotes
Churchill was famous for his speeches rallying the British population and Resistance activists abroad for the long, dangerous fight ahead.
He made three famous speeches in the House of Commons shortly after becoming Prime Minister in 1940. Passages from these speeches are highlighted in the exhibition, including his first as Prime Minister, the ‘Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat’ speech.
During this speech, he speaks of waging ‘war against a monstrous tyranny,’ continuing, ”You ask, what is our aim. I can answer it in one word. It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror….. For without victory, there is no survival.“ At the end of this momentous speech, he says, “I take up my task with buoyancy and hope,” and fills a great many people with these as they face dark times ahead.
Churchill as a British Icon
One of the key parts of the displays on Churchill is the simple profile silhouette of him wearing his bowler hat and smoking a cigar. Hundreds of millions of people in Britain, Europe and around the world would have immediately recognized this figure as Churchill. In his own way he was as distinctive as his adversary Adolf Hitler, with his manic staring eyes and toothbrush moustache.
The exhibition shows Churchill portrayed as a British bulldog, a strong, stubborn, tough figure who typified (and did much to inspire) the stoic British resistance to the Nazi onslaught, especially during the Battle of Britain and Blitz of 1940-41.
Churchill As An Enemy
It’s also fascinating to see how Churchill’s opponents in World War Two perceived him. As you would expect, Hitler and the Nazi regime despised him. The propaganda poster (pictured above) from 1942 calls Churchill the man who ‘invented the bombing of civilians’, which is a blatant lie.
This would have been issued by Joseph Goebbels’ Ministry of Propaganda, which overlooks the many raids ordered long before the British ever did, not to mention what amounted to Luftwaffe target practice in Guernica (Spain) and later Frampol (southeast Poland). But that’s propaganda for you, the same in 1942 under the Nazis as it is in 2025 under the Kremlin. As Goebbels said, repeat the lie often enough and people will start to believe it.
Another poster which caught my eye was the ‘Monstre’ cartoon of Churchill. This was the work of the collaborationist Vichy regime in France, which worked in tandem with the Nazis, co-operating with them on the round-up of French Jews to be sent to the Nazi death camps in occupied Poland. Unlike the silhouette of Churchill in the previous section of the article, the figure depicted doesn’t bear much resemblance to Churchill, thereby rather reducing the impact of the cartoon!
Travel Map During World War Two
Winston Churchill also travelled widely during World War Two, as outlined in the section on his trips at home and abroad. His travels included seven transatlantic trips, seeking support from President Roosevelt, and two trips to Moscow to meet Soviet dictator Stalin.
He also made secret, circuitous journeys for the 1943 conferences in Tehran and Yalta, where the future political landscape of Europe was decided. The Allies had gone to war to defend the territorial integrity of Poland, but this country would be swallowed up by Stalin and the Soviets as part of the price of victory over the Nazis.
In total, it is reckoned that Churchill travelled 103,912 miles – a phenomenal amount considering that so much airspace around Europe and the Atlantic was unsafe.
Cabinet War Rooms
The rest of the bunker is devoted to the Cabinet War Rooms, where plans were discussed, crucial decisions made and momentous speeches broadcast to the nation. Most of the rooms include mannequins dressed in uniform or work attire to illustrate the function of each room. There is some information on boards in each room, with more information available through the audio guides.
Transatlantic Communications Room
This room is one of the most intriguing and lifelike exhibits of the Churchill War Rooms.
Even with mannequins, it feels like it’s buzzing with activity, with a figure looking at a map, and more sitting around a table in conference.
There are also a few telephones mounted above the table – it was through these that British Ministers and officers could speak directly with their American counterparts.
The people portrayed in every room at the exhibition contributed to the war effort and eventual victory, and the conversations that took place on this row of telephones would have been pivotal to the eventual Allied victory over the Axis Powers (Nazi Germany, Italy and Japan).
Map Room
The Map Room is one of the most important rooms in the Cabinet War Rooms complex. Several maps occupy wall space and another is spread out over the large table in the middle of the room.
This is where military officers and Cabinet ministers would hold meetings on progress on operations on the various ongoing operations worldwide, which ranged from the Far East to the North Africa campaign to the D-Day Normandy landings in 1944.
Offices
Several rooms within the complex were used as offices – these included Cabinet ministers and military commanders.
The rooms are populated with mannequin figures sitting at desks typing or undertaking other office work.
Broadcasting Booth
A small space was created for a broadcasting booth, set up in conjunction with the BBC. From here, Churchill or colleagues in the War Cabinet could, if necessary, broadcast to the nation from there. At the time, radio (popularly called ‘the wireless’) was the main medium of mass communication in Britain and Europe, with television only having been invented a few years before the outbreak of War. So this was a critical link with the rest of the country.
Churchill’s three most famous speeches were made at the House of Commons, a few minutes’ walk away. One of these is the ‘fight on the beaches’ speech of 4th June 1940, which wasn’t recorded at the time. The version with which some of you will be familiar was recorded for posterity by Churchill in 1949.
Bedrooms
Some of the sleeping quarters in the bunker are part of the Churchill War Rooms exhibition. One of these is the small room with desk allocated to Winston Churchill. Another was set aside for his wife, Lady Clementine Churchill, who never actually used the facility.
Where Are The Churchill War Rooms In London
The Churchill War Rooms are at King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AQ.
They can be found at the west end of King Charles Street, on the corner with Horse Guards Road.
How To Get To The Churchill War Rooms
If you’re travelling by Tube, it’s a 5-minute walk from Westminster Tube station to the Churchill War Rooms. This station is on the Circle, District and Jubilee Lines – take exit 6 from the station and follow the signs. Alternatively take exit 4 if you plan to walk via Parliament Square and / or Westminster Abbey.
If you’re travelling around London by bus, the number 11 from Victoria to Liverpool Street stops at Westminster Abbey stop S, just before Parliament Square, less than five minutes’ walk from the Churchill War Rooms. If you’re travelling towards Victoria, alight at stop V, just across the street.
Churchill War Rooms Opening Times
The Churchill War Rooms are open daily (except December 24th to 26th) between 9.30 am and 6.00 pm. The Rooms are open early at 9.00 am – on Fridays and Saturdays.
Last entry is at 5.00 pm.
How Long Does Visiting The Churchill War Rooms Take
I would advise 2 ½ hours, though went slightly over that myself, at a little over 3 hours in total.
Some people I know have got around the whole exhibition in around two hours, which would be enough for many people.
I would advise against visiting at last entry time (5.00 pm) as you won’t do the Churchill War Rooms justice in such a short time.
Churchill War Rooms Tickets And Tours
You can buy your tickets to the Churchill War Rooms by clicking on any of the links in this section. Some of these also offer additional things to do, including a World War 2 Tour of the surrounding area and guided tours of Westminster Abbey.
Churchill War Rooms And World War 2 Tour – ticket to the War Rooms (self-guided) and a guided tour of the West minster area including Downing Street and Parliament Square
Churchill War Rooms And Westminster Tour – includes ticket to the War Rooms and a longer walking tour, also taking in Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square
Churchill War Rooms, Whitehall And Westminster – ticket to the War Rooms and walking tour including the war memorials along Whitehall
Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast – the two best London World War 2 sites in one day, along with a walking tour taking in Buckingham Palace and Westminster
Churchill War Rooms and Westminster Abbey Guided Tour – walking tour of Westminster sights and Buckingham Palace, and tickets to War Rooms and Westminster Abbey included
Places To Visit Near The Churchill War Rooms
The Churchill War Rooms are in Westminster, five minutes’ walk from the Houses of Parliament, right in the heart of the most popular part of London for tourists.
Parliament Square is just a two-minute walk away, and there you’ll find an abundance of sights. Two of the most famous London landmarks, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, are at the far end of the Square from the Churchill War Rooms. You’ll see plenty of visitors posing for selfies at two of the most famous (and best-sited) red telephone boxes in London, on the north side of the Square, with Big Ben in the background.
The garden in the middle of Parliament Square is home to some of the most famous statues in London, including the distinctive sculpture of Winston Churchill by Ivor Roberts-Jones. Other political figures commemorated there include David Lloyd George and Nelson Mandela.
If you have time, I strongly recommend visiting Westminster Abbey, London’s great royal church, the scene of many a coronation, royal wedding and state funeral. It’s also the burial place of seventeen British monarchs and great Britons including the likes of Geoffrey Chaucer, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens and, more recently, Sir Stephen Hawking.
From Parliament Square, you could either head to Westminster Bridge, the River Thames and London Eye, or take a walk along Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square. On the way up this street, which is home to several UK government ministries, you’ll pass the Cenotaph (where memorial commemorations are held) and the moving Women In World War II monument.
When leaving the Churchill War Rooms, you also have the option of walking across Horse Guards Street to St James’s Park, one of London’s superb Royal Parks. It’s a 15-20-minute walk through the Park towards one of the most famous buildings in London, Buckingham Palace. Or you could continue up Horse Guards Road to the parade grounds to see the daily Changing of the Guard, one of the most popular royal ceremonies in London.
Visiting The Churchill War Rooms – Final Thoughts
I rate the Churchill War Rooms among my personal top ten things to do in London. The Rooms are exactly as they were the day they were vacated in 1945, and for anyone with an interest in 20th-century or World War Two history, they are one of the best places to visit in Europe, indeed the world.
While visiting London, I would also recommend visiting HMS Belfast, a Second World War cruiser moored on the Thames below The Shard. Take a look at my article on the best World War 2 Sites in London for more ideas on War-related places to visit.
For anyone with an interest in World War Two, here are some related articles you may find interesting:
15 Best Berlin World War 2 Sites
Prague World War 2 Sites – discover Prague’s Second World War locations
Heydrich Assassination Site Prague – where the ‘Butcher of Prague’ was attacked and eventually killed by the Czech Resistance
Nuremberg Nazi Sites – seven sites including the infamous Nazi Party Rally Grounds
Visiting Auschwitz – Birkenau – Helpful Tips And What To Expect
Visiting Terezin Concentration Camp – complete guide to the infamous Theresienstadt Ghetto near Prague
And here is a selection additional articles I have written on London:
16 Famous Statues In London Not To Miss
34 Famous Streets In London To Explore
16 Old Streets In London – London’s Oldest Streets
25 Most Beautiful Churches in London To Visit
Where To Find The Best Red Telephone Boxes In London
Visiting Westminster Abbey – London’s Astounding Royal Church
15 Best Things To Do In West London
Marc Bolan Shrine London – the shrine to the late, great T Rex singer
Visiting The Golden Hinde London – on board Sir Francis Drake’s recreated pirate ship
Sunrise In London – 10 Best Places To See It
Sunsets In London – The Best 20 Locations