Churchill War Rooms

The Churchill War Rooms have been restored to their original state providing visitors with a strong sense of this time in history

Inside the Map Room in the Churchill War Rooms Museum
Inside the Map Room in the Churchill War Rooms Museum cc licensed photo by John Antoni Griffiths

The Churchill War Rooms is a museum located in the original Cabinet War Rooms which were central to the strategic operations of the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Airforce during World War II. In 1984 the rooms were restored to their original state and opened to the public as a museum and subsequently, in 2003, there was a further expansion that added the quarters used to house Churchill along with his wife and associates.

This museum is part of the Imperial War Museums and offers visitors insights and a feel for one of the darker times in our modern history. The main hub of activity in the War Rooms was the map room where intelligence was gathered and displayed around the clock by officers and daily briefings were prepared for the chiefs of staff, the Prime Minister and the King.

During the latter part of the war another room, the Transatlantic Telephone Room, was used for a special encrypted telephone that allowed Churchill to make secure calls to President Roosevelt in Washington.

Today this museum receives over 300,000 visitors each year. The Churchill War Rooms are open daily from 9:30 am until 6 pm except for December 24-26. This museum does have an admission charge, however anyone aged 15 and under is free.

There are many other attractions within easy walking distance of the Churchill War Rooms Museum. Some of these include The Horse Guards Parade, Saint James's Park, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. These attractions can be nicely combined into a memorable one or two day walking tour.

For more information about the Churchill War Rooms as well as exhibitions and hours visit their official website.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Churchill War Rooms Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ, UK

Phone: 020 7416 5000

Official Website: Churchill War Rooms

Churchill War Rooms Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating If you have any interest in militiary history, British history, the Blitz, Churchill, even just the inner workings of government - this is an incredible tour. You have to get tickets in advance, for certain - but it's just such a truly great tour. You walk through Churchill's political life, and the war rooms themselves are deeply fascinating. The museum of his personal items, etc. (including the original door to Downing Street) is just truly one-of-a-kind. We got the last tour of the day, and it was not enough time. Make sure to schedule yourself plenty of time.
Angie DeWaard - 2 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating The Churchill War Rooms is a must-see historic site that I’ve been eager to visit for some time. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity during my trip to London in September 2024, but I was fortunate enough to return in March 2025, and this was my top priority. If you’re planning to go, I highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. I didn’t, and despite arriving right at opening time, we still had to wait around 15 minutes. While it wasn’t too bad, it could be more of a wait if it’s a busy time. The staff were friendly and helpful, always ready to answer any questions. Upon entering, you are provided with a headset for a self-guided tour, available in multiple languages. The site itself is underground, and certain areas can feel a bit cramped, so it’s important to be mindful of that. However, the space is well-ventilated and perfectly safe. What makes the Churchill War Rooms so remarkable is how it preserves history, offering a glimpse into how the British government managed wartime strategy from this very bunker. It’s a fascinating stop, especially for history enthusiasts or anyone wanting to learn more about Britain’s role in World War II. A visit here is a unique experience that brings history to life in an unforgettable way. The Churchill War Rooms also features an excellent café, conveniently located halfway through the tour. It’s the perfect place to take a break and recharge. The food is delicious and fairly priced, offering a variety of options to suit different tastes. Whether you’re in the mood for a light snack or a more substantial meal, the café provides a lovely spot to relax and enjoy a bite before continuing your exploration of this historic site.
Braulio A. - 2 weeks ago

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4 Star Rating War rooms fascinating with good self guided commentary, map room all well preserved as if time stood still. Museum was good with loads of interesting items and displays but could have been better signposted to allow smoother navigation. Allow 2 to 3 hours for visit and pre book even on weekday, we had allotted time slot between 11.00 and 11.30 and still waited 15 mins for admission. Staff excellent throughout and well versed.
Family Booth - 2 weeks ago

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4 Star Rating An amazing piece of war time history along with an extensive museum on Churchill. Being able to walk through the war rooms (which are left nearly untouched since being left at the end of the war) is really fascinating and exciting. The map room in particular is intriguing, being able to see the maps that were used during the war. The Churchill museum section is well signed with information available in a written format next to the displays as well as on an audio guide however the actual war rooms themselves do not have much written information with the majority being on the audio guide, for most this will be okay however I have sensory issues and as it was quite hot down there wearing headphones was not a viable option and therefore I felt that I was lacking a lot of information about the war rooms. I understand that they wouldn't want to block the view of the war rooms with large information boards however I felt I didn't learn or benefit as much from the trip as the rest of my group who did use the audio guides. (The guide does contain a BSL option as well as many different languages). Definitely worth visiting especially if interested in history, would recommend looking at website for booking and when timings may be less busy. It is quite tight in terms of space in some areas so just keep that on mind. (I went on a school trip and therefore as we were a large group there were no wait times as we went in a separate entrance - I believe there can be long wait times which can be outdoors I believe)
CM - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Amazing place for history lovers. You can really understand how Churchill’s political life worked and how he managed to get through the wars with a strategic mind. The staff is really nice and the variety of souvenirs you can get is amazing and you should really check it out! If you are around, you should definitely try it out! Thank you for the great experience! 😁
Sara Ana Busuioc - a month ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Circle, District and Jubilee LineWestminster8 minutes
Northern and Bakerloo LineCharing Cross10 minutes

How to get to Churchill War Rooms by Tube

From Charing Cross Station exit to Trafalger Square and exit the roundabout onto The Mall and then go south (left) on Horse Guards Road to the entrance just right of the Clive steps and monument.

From Westminster Station take Exit 6 and go left out of the underpass, then go right on Great George Street and right onto Horse Guards Road to the entrance just right of the Clive Steps and monument.

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