Churchill War Rooms

Churchill War Rooms

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The Churchill Museum is the first museum dedicated to the life and achievements of Sir Winston Churchill.

This permanent exhibition is housed within the unique historic setting of the Cabinet War Rooms, Churchill's secret underground wartime base. Follow us on Facebook and join our growing community of fans. Discover in-depth information about Churchill War Rooms, special content, and discuss and share with others. Our social media house rules can be found here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/policies/social-media

02/05/2026

Churchill is cheered by workers during a visit to bomb damaged Plymouth on 2 May 1941. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Lady Nancy Astor, Lord Mayoress of Plymouth, and W. Averell Harriman, President Roosevelt's Special Envoy, on this visit. Both can be seen behind him.

Image: IWM (H 9265)

14/04/2026

Prime Minister Churchill reviews a civil service battalion of the Home Guard, largely drawn from Whitehall offices. Churchill also delivers a speech celebrating the men who are ready, at short notice, ‘to fight for home and hearth’.

The clip comes from a 1942 British newsreel, which you can find in full here: https://bit.ly/3PU31ER

Film: IWM WPN 78

23/03/2026

Churchill fires an American .30 carbine during a visit to the US 2nd Armoured Division on Salisbury Plain, 23 March 1944.

Image: IWM (H 36961)

19/02/2026

Winston Churchill, as Minister of Munitions, watches the March Past of the 47th Division from the Grand Stand of the Grande Place at Lille, 28 October 1918.

In the second row, next to the French officer, is Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland, who ran a Red Cross hospital at Calais during the First World War. Standing next to her is her daughter, Lady Rosemary Leveson-Gower, who worked in her mother's hospital, and then Sir Edward "Eddie" Marsh, Private Secretary to Winston Churchill.

You can learn more about Churchill during the First World War here: https://bit.ly/3T2iBKU

Image: IWM (Q 84077)

12/12/2025

Churchill visits troops in the Western Desert, August 1942.

Churchill is filmed with with General Sir Alan Brooke, Alexander and Montgomery strolling by the sea before visiting all British regiments in the 22nd Armoured Brigade and the New Zealand Corps.

Find the full footage here: https://bit.ly/4iO7umX

Film: IWM AYY 253/3

13/11/2025

Join us at Churchill War Rooms on 19 November for a special discussion exploring the craft of writing about one of the most written-about figures in history, Winston Churchill. Esther Gilbert, Sinclair McKay, Peter Caddick-Adams, Katherine Carter and Allen Packwood will share their unique perspectives on capturing Churchill’s life, legacy and complexities on the page.

The panel will be chaired by James Taylor, IWM’s Head of Public History, offering insights into how historians and biographers navigate research, narrative, and the myths surrounding Britain’s wartime leader. Following the talk, ask your questions, meet the speakers and enjoy an after-hours viewing of Churchill War Rooms.

31/10/2025

Prime Minister Winston Churchill photographed in the gardens of the British Embassy, Cairo, on 8 August 1942.

Churchill wears his world famous siren suit and is shown with Victor Lampson, the young son of His Excellency the Honourable Sir Miles Lampson, the British Ambassador, and Lady Lampson.

Image: IWM (E 15347)

23/10/2025

Join us on Wednesday 19 November for a discussion exploring the craft of writing about Winston Churchill. Esther Gilbert, Sinclair McKay, Peter Caddick-Adams, Katherine Carter and Allen Packwood will share their unique perspectives on capturing Churchill’s life, legacy and complexities on the page.

The panel will be chaired by James Taylor, IWM’s Head of Public History, offering insights into how historians and biographers navigate research, narrative, and the myths surrounding Britain’s wartime leader. Following the talk, ask your questions, meet the speakers and enjoy an after-hours viewing of Churchill War Rooms.

Book now: https://bit.ly/47daogG

© IWM HU 55965

15/10/2025

This C**t model 1911 belonged to Winston Churchill.

Purchased in 1915 and carried by Churchill during his service as Commanding Officer of 6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (January to May 1916). It is reputed to have been one of his favourite guns and bears obvious signs of frequent use. The right side of the slide is engraved 'WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL'.

The pistol is on display at Churchill War Rooms. Plan your visit here: https://bit.ly/3R80tgY

Image: © IWM (FIR 3681)

07/10/2025

Churchill visits Malta Dockyard and is shown around by Vice Admiral Hamilton and Admiral Superintendent Rear Admiral Mackenzie, 23 November 1943.

Between 1940 and 1942, Malta faced relentless aerial attacks by the Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force both fought to defend the island and keep it supplied. Malta was essential to the Allied war effort as it provided a base to disrupt Axis supply lines to Libya, and also for supplying British armies in Egypt.

You can read more about Malta during the Second World War on our website: https://bit.ly/3v8gE8S

Film: IWM AYY 193/32

12/09/2025

Churchill, in academic robes, delivers a speech at Bristol University on the theme of Britain having a "Spirit bred in freedom and strength through tradition", 1941. Churchill visited to bestow honorary degrees to the Prime Minister of Australia and the US Ambassador.

This clip comes from an episode of the wartime newsreel 'War Pictorial News'. You can find the full episode on our film collections website here: https://bit.ly/4oygajJ

Film: IWM WPN 21

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Location

Address


Clive Steps, King Charles Street
London
SW1A2

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm
Thursday 9:30am - 6pm
Friday 9:30am - 6pm
Saturday 9:30am - 6pm
Sunday 9:30am - 7pm