Touring the Churchill War Rooms in London
You will discover that touring the Churchill War Rooms in London is a fascinating experience that immerses you in history. The War Rooms still exist in an underground complex that served as the nerve center of British wartime operations during World War II. A tour of the War Rooms takes you along the hallways where the English planned their strategy. The offices look just as they did in the 1940s. Everything from the war years sits in place, from the furniture to the colored map pins to the red and green telephones.
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Begin exploring in the underground bunkers
Exploring the underground bunker, twisting through darkened hallways. You see the cramped living quarters, the fascinating map room, and the communications center, giving you a sense of what life was like for those who worked there.
Churchill often worked 18-hour days. So he had a room to stay in the bunker. His wife also had a room here, as did his staff.
Peruse the exhibits in the large museum
A museum on the life and work of Churchill is now in the building, next to the War Rooms. Follow the arrows showing the direction of the tour, and about midway you will enter the museum. It’s a well done museum telling of an eccentric leader. He wouldn’t allow his staff to whistle, for example. And he took a nap in the afternoon, making it clear he was not to be disturbed. 
Learn about leadership from the life of an expert
Churchill has long been studied as an example of leadership in wartime. The museum exhibits give insight into the leadership and decision-making process of Churchill, one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. The displays are in chronological order. So, you can start with Churchill’s youth and go forward. Or you can skip to WWII, if you are short on time.
Churchill, who had served his country before WWII, came in as Prime Minister in May 1940. By the beginning of June, 400,000 Allied troops sat on the beaches of Dunkirk in France, pushed to the edge of the water by the Germans. Today, historians look at the successful evacuation of these soldiers as a turning point toward Allied victory. The British army was saved instead of captured. The U.S. took notice and immediately started sending supplies to Britain. And Churchill gave one of his most memorable speeches:
“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
The museum offers interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and informative panels that help visitors understand the significance of the events that took place in the War Rooms.
Re-enter the bunker area and head to the map room
The real heart of the bunker is the offices where the war planning took place. My favorite parts of the War Rooms are the maps that show with stick pins and string the plotting of troop movements. An entire war was planned without computers. The detailed maps will amaze you.
The War Rooms served as a hive of activity throughout World War II. Fortunately for all of us history buffs, they were left for years as they were on the day the war ended. They opened to the public in the 1980s. So you and I today can walk in the steps of the war leaders and imagine that dark and uncertain time. 
Planning your visit to the Churchill War Rooms
The nearest tube station to the War Rooms is Westminster. Head to the Treasury building in the Westminster area. The building itself looks like any other office building. 
The War Rooms are open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Buy tickets online before you go, if your plans allow. You can just show up, but you may be stuck waiting in a long line. And why waste time in London? Tickets are 27.25 pounds for adults, 13.60 pounds for children 5 to 15, and children under 5 are free. Many visitors find the audio guides provided at the Churchill War Rooms are informative and helpful.
Where I stayed in London
I’m a repeat guest at the boutique Lime Tree Hotel in the Belgravia area of London. The hotel, recently remodeled, gives you elegance and comfort in a former town home. And it’s in an upscale neighborhood but offers reasonable rates. You can easily walk to and from busy Victoria Station and also from convenient Sloan Square station. From these underground stations, you can basically get anywhere you want to go. Also, I’ve walked from the hotel to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Churchill War Rooms.
Add to those plusses a delicious breakfast at the Buttery and a garden out back where you can sit and relax after a hectic day in the city. You are across the street from tempting Peggy Porschen Cakes. For dinner near the Lime Tree, try Sicily Restaurant right around the corner. I’m a repeat customer here, too. The food and atmosphere are perfect.
The Lime Tree Hotel is quite a find!
Check out availability at the Lime Tree Hotel when you’re traveling to London. You will be pleased you did.
Book your train tickets with Trainline for easy and reliable service
LEARN MORE ABOUT LONDON
Bletchley Park and the Codebreakers of WWII
The Tower of London
Viewing and Visiting Westminster Abbey
London’s Battle of Britain Monument
Riding High on the London Eye
The Royal Air Force Museum of London
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I really love this post Sharon. This is the kind of place I look for in most cities I visit. The history of WWII always remind me of my mother and father. He spent 18 as superintendent of a ship building yard building ships after Pearl Harbor. He only went home every 2 to 3 days and slept in his chair at work. Tough times.
This would be a movie Hubby would like to see – so much history!. Many people could thank Churchill – not liked in his time, but a man of action! Thanks for alerting All Seasons, Sharon! – Duinkerken -just a few hours South of where I grew up as a child…
Oh wow – this would be amazing to see in person! Thanks for sharing with us!
this looks like a fascinating place to visit. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie Dunkirk. Happy travels, and thank you for stopping by my blog last week.
I have to see this movie! Need to see when it is playing here in Germany. How fun that you got to go to the war rooms. We named our son after Churchill. He was such a great statesman.
This has been on my bucket list for quite a while. Think I need to plan a trip to London!
Such intersting insight into this piece of history. Thanks for linking up with Through My Lens.
What an interesting post.
You have captured the main areas of the war rooms really well. It is a place we worth visiting.
Sharon I was just there last June ~ fascinating place and so full of history and life like ~ Wonderful series of photos ~ ^_^
A place I know we would have to see! We love history so much, and WWII is fascinating. Loved your detailed post. We are also looking forward to seeing the movie.
Wow… I enjoyed this Post again for the Tuesday theme IMAGE-IN-ING.
HEIDRUN
https://happy-hour-with-picts.blogspot.de/2017/07/liebe-auch-im-sommer.html
Fascinating, Sharon.
Thankk so much for joining us at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/07/hhhhiiiiiiiisssssssss.html
Now that is a place I want to visit superb
I have never visited here but as we are so close to London we should really change that
Mollyx
Ah Sharon, the Churchill War Rooms are within walking distance of our house and I still havent been. My husband would love this and your post is a great reminder to get him to go. Thanks for joining #FarawayFiles
We took our kids to visit family friends in England when they were teens. We let them each choose something they wanted to do and my WWII buff son chose Churchill’s War Rooms. It wasn’t high on my list – but I’ll tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed it – and learned something to. I’d highly recommend it!
Very interesting post! I like places like this (and enjoy learning more about WWII). Thanks for suggesting the movie. Sounds like stuff I like and we do not have tons of plans for the weekend. #TPThursday
Thank you for the post! So interesting. Churchill was definitely an interesting leader. The best GB could’ve had for WWII, though he also made some world-altering decisions in his day. I am so putting this museum on my list for my next London visit.
#TravelPhotoThursday
I’ve heard that this place is brilliant. I know my son would love it. We recently went to the Imperial War Museum which was also fascinating. #farawayfiles
I had heard about the Churchill War Rooms before but didn’t really know what it was. It sounds really fascinating and I guess I need to get out and see the movie! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Wonderful post, and so timely! I’ve not made it to this yet, but plan on it next time I’m in London! #farawayfiles
I definitely want to see Dunkirk and I have wanted to visit the Churchill War rooms forever but haven’t made it there! Next time I’m in London!! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
I have a fascination with World War II and I would definitely love to visit the Chrchill War rooms. Maybe this would be a good reason to return to London. Thanks for letting me know about “Dunkirk”. I want to watch it. #TheWeeklyPostcard
We visited the Churchill War Rooms when we were in London last summer. I agree that it’s fascinating that it was kept frozen in time for long. Great photos and details of your visit there.
It’s great that these war rooms have been kept as is. It’s quite intriguing. Thanks for linking up with Travel Photo Thursday.
What a great museum. Obviously such an important time in world history, it’s good to see it preserved for the generations. We’re definitely looking forward to seeing the Churchill War Rooms! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
It blows your mind to think of the decisions and activities that took place here. My husband has been wanting to visit here for years – so we’re planning a trip to London and will reserve tickets to make sure we go this time around.
We saw the Churchill War Rooms when were in London last year. What a fascinating museum! I highly recommend it to anyone visiting London.