Visiting The Churchill War Rooms in Central London
February 1, 2023 | Tagged: United Kingdom
Visiting the Churchill War Rooms, the nerve centre under Whitehall from where Winston Churchill directed the Second World War.
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As I backpacked London over 5 days in January 2023, I had already visited Mail Rail at the Postal Museum and I once again head underground and visit The Churchill War Rooms.
The Churchill War Rooms were probably number 1 on my London Bucket List.
Last year I visited Bletchley Park. Down the years, I have visited CheckPoint Charlie in Berlin, Resistance Museums in Bergen and Copenhagen and also took a Cold War Bunker Tour in Berlin. The history surrounding World War 2 and the Cold War fascinates me. And now the latest post features the Western Approaches HQ - Liverpool, all part of the war effort.
Later I visited the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge which is well worth the effort, all part of the 6 Secret Underground Bunkers series.
The Churchill War Rooms were probably number 1 on my London Bucket List.
Last year I visited Bletchley Park. Down the years, I have visited CheckPoint Charlie in Berlin, Resistance Museums in Bergen and Copenhagen and also took a Cold War Bunker Tour in Berlin. The history surrounding World War 2 and the Cold War fascinates me. And now the latest post features the Western Approaches HQ - Liverpool, all part of the war effort.
Later I visited the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge which is well worth the effort, all part of the 6 Secret Underground Bunkers series.
The Churchill War Rooms, situated beneath Whitehall from where Churchill and the British government led the war against Nazi Germany.
The War Rooms are 1 of 5 museums that belong to the Imperial War Museums.
Keep reading to find out more...
The War Rooms are 1 of 5 museums that belong to the Imperial War Museums.
Keep reading to find out more...
Entrance to the Churchill War Rooms:
In 1938 with a war in Europe threatening, basement offices located beneath the Treasury building in the Whitehall area of Westminster, known as the Cabinet War Rooms were chosen as a temporary shelter for the British Government.
The War Rooms became operational just days before the Germans invaded Poland and Britain's subsequent declaration of war with Germany.
On entering the museum, you'll see an original German 250-kilo bomb.
The War Rooms became operational just days before the Germans invaded Poland and Britain's subsequent declaration of war with Germany.
On entering the museum, you'll see an original German 250-kilo bomb.
Bombs this size rained down on London during the Blitz, and though No 10 Downing Street was severely damaged, Whitehall and the Treasury never received a direct hit.
The basement offices were in fact only 12 feet below the surface and it wasn't until the end of 1940 that a steel-reinforced concrete ceiling known as The Slab was installed that offered more protection.
Below the Cabinet Rooms was a sub-basement known as The Dock. This is where hundreds of service men and women 'lived' throughout the war.
The basement offices were in fact only 12 feet below the surface and it wasn't until the end of 1940 that a steel-reinforced concrete ceiling known as The Slab was installed that offered more protection.
Below the Cabinet Rooms was a sub-basement known as The Dock. This is where hundreds of service men and women 'lived' throughout the war.
Cabinet War Rooms
This is the nerve centre of the Churchill Cabinet War Rooms London, where Winston Churchill met with the members of the War Cabinet. Sir John Anderson, Clement Attleee, Lord Beaverbrook, Ernest Bevin, Authur Greenwood, Earl of Halifax and Sir Kingsley Wood.
On becoming Prime Minister in 1940, Winston Churchill visited the Cabinet Room and proclaimed: "This is the room from which I will direct the war"
There were a total of 115 Cabinet meetings held at the Cabinet War Rooms, the last on March 28 1945 when the German V2 Rockets stopped raining down on London.
The room has been laid out as it was shortly before the 5 pm meeting on October 15, 1940.
Royal Marine Guards were positioned inside and outside of the Cabinet War Rooms.
On becoming Prime Minister in 1940, Winston Churchill visited the Cabinet Room and proclaimed: "This is the room from which I will direct the war"
There were a total of 115 Cabinet meetings held at the Cabinet War Rooms, the last on March 28 1945 when the German V2 Rockets stopped raining down on London.
The room has been laid out as it was shortly before the 5 pm meeting on October 15, 1940.
Royal Marine Guards were positioned inside and outside of the Cabinet War Rooms.
The Map Room
This room was in constant use throughout the war and operated around the clock by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force officers producing daily intelligence reports for Winston Churchill.
The Transatlantic Telephone Room
Code-Scrambling encrypted telephones were installed, enabling Churchill to speak directly with Roosevelt in Washington.
Churchill's Office-Bedroom
It is said he only slept in this room 3 times throughout the war, preferring to sleep at No. 10
The PM's Dining Room
The Original No. 10 Downing Street Door
This is the original oak door to No. 10 Downing Street, the home and office of every British Prime Minister since 1735. This door was replaced with a blast-proof door in 1991.
The War Rooms were opened in 1984 by Margaret Thatcher and in 1985, rebranded as The Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum:
Learn more about Winston Churchill in the Churchill Museum which is included in the Churchill War Rooms ticket:
Where are the Churchill War Rooms:
Address: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AQ
Churchill War Rooms Opening Times:
Tickets: Adults from £27.25 / Members and under fives free
Opening Times: 9:30am to 6pm daily, last entry at 5pm.
Read more on the official Imperial War Museum website
Opening Times: 9:30am to 6pm daily, last entry at 5pm.
Read more on the official Imperial War Museum website