This post contains affiliate links for which I may make a small commission to help keep the site running. You will not be charged extra for these items had you not clicked the links. Thank you for your help to keep the site running!
If the Churchill War Rooms are a site you’re considering, read below to hear my thoughts!
And if you decide it interests you, check out my list of the best Churchill tours in London to see it with a guide, as it makes for a wonderful experience!
Keeping track of UK history can be a bit daunting given its extensive history of imperialism and the oftentimes confusing past of the monarchy (why does everyone seem to be named James or Victoria?).
But I would argue that one of the most recognizable names to us, regardless of our historical intelligence, is Winston Churchill.
As the Prime Minister during WWII, Churchill is remembered for being the face of the British resistance against the Nazis and a charismatic and inspirational leader.
GET A FREE LONDON INTRO GUIDE and ACCESS TO MY FB GROUP
Start your planning with this “Intro to London” guide and access to my London planning Facebook group!
The Absolute Must-Knows (from a Londoner)
- 😍Cheapest Way to See it All: Get the London Pass here (yes, it’s worth it)
- 🎭Cheapest site for West End theatre tickets: London Theatre Direct
- 🚕Cheapest and most reliable airport transfer service: Welcome Pickups
- 🚉Cheapest Way to Book Train and Bus Tickets: Omio
- 🔌Most Reliable Adapter for UK Plugs: This one
Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group, where I can answer more of your questions!
He was also a great ally to the United States and was the first person to be named an honorary citizen (so basically the US was like, hey, we really like you but you still need to go through the “International” line at immigration).
During the war, Churchill and important government officials strategized and planned the war efforts from a secret basement complex right in the heart of Westminster.
The rooms were used until 16 August 1945 and not opened up to the public until 1984.
We took a trip to the War Rooms last week and we both agreed it lived up to its reputation as a must-do attraction in London (it’s not 7th on Trip Advisor for nothing!)
IMPORTANT: are you coming to the UK from abroad?
In case you’re reading this from outside the UK and will be a foreign visitor here, you need to know these 2 things to stay safe and save money.
- Travel insurance – you need it when going overseas! I use this site to get the best quotes and purchase my packages from. Do not skip this – having medical coverage abroad as well as other coverage in case of missed flights, lost luggage, etc is essential. As I said, I have never gone wrong using this site.
- International debit cards without fees – do not get stuck paying extortionate foreign fees when using your card abroad (and the UK is almost all card these days). I use the Wise debit and travel card which you can apply and learn more about here.
An audio guide comes free with a ticket and is an essential part of the tour.
You start off by going through security at the front and then descending down some steps into the ticket office where your self-guided walk begins.
Along the way, you see the rooms used during the war exactly as they were left or as faithfully recreated as possible by people who worked there.
From Churchill’s personal room to the “Map room” where the fighting lines were tracked on a giant wall map to Churchill’s secret closet that he used to call the US from (disguised as a bathroom, of course), you are in the middle of history in the best possible way.
Halfway around the tour you enter the vast Churchill Museum, which is a beautiful and interactive exhibit showcasing Churchill’s life from his birth to funeral (that he helped to plan, which was very forward-thinking of him).
The museum brings the war rooms to life as you get a feel for the type of man Churchill was in all of his power and glory and absurdities.
I will warn you that a walk through the Churchill Museum can easily make you feel bad about yourself after you realize how much this man really did.
Every corner you turn reveals a new talent of Churchill’s, and by the end of his life he had been an artist, politician, family man, and a writer who somehow managed to find some time to win a Nobel Prize.
Oh and did I mention he was Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” as well as “Person of the Half-Century”?
OKAY, Churchill, STOP MONPOLIZING ALL OF THE AWARDS HERE.
The only ‘problem’ we encountered with a line outside the door to get in, which isn’t always fun in the London winter rain.
However, we only waited 10-15 minutes and the staff was more than pleasant at the ticket office once we got in.
By the time we finished, we didn’t even remember the wait.
There are very few things in London that I suggest to people as necessary stops because there’s just so much to do in the city, but I would highly recommend the War Rooms to both tourists and Brits visiting London for the day, particularly for couples in London who like history.
Museums are wonderful, but getting the chance to walk down inside where some of the most important conversations and decisions of the war were made is an offer you really shouldn’t refuse.
How to Book Tickets to Churchill War Rooms
If my post peaked your interest, you can book a tour here to the Churchill War Rooms and explore for yourself!
The entrance is timed at various intervals throughout the day as there isn’t a lot of space within the exhibits for hoards of visitors.
You can spend as much time as you want once down there, but need to enter near your allotted time unlike some other London attractions where it’s easier for you to just walk in whenever.
If you don’t book ahead, you will be able to buy tickets for the next entrance that has tickets available, which, in peak season, may be a bit later on in the day.
The prices as of October 2022 are: £29.00 for adults, £14.50 for children aged 5 to 15 and free for the under 5s.
How to Get to the Churchill War Rooms
The easiest way to get to the Churchill War Rooms is to walk from Westminster Station.
It’s just a few minute walk, and I recommend Westminster as one of the best areas to stay in London so you could simply just walk from your hotel.
What else should I not miss in London?
If you’re visiting London soon, here’s a very brief rundown of a few of my other favorites to make sure you don’t miss anything!
- Hidden London Walking Tour – this tour is the absolute best if you want to see London in a different light and uncover hidden nooks, crannies, and histories that you won’t get on your normal, run-of-the-mill London walking tour. Click here to check prices and book.
- Historical Westminster Walking Tour with Churchill War Rooms – if you’re a history buff or even mildly interested in all of the insane things that have happened in London, particular during the wars, you have to book this tour which is an absolute bargain for the tour + entry to the Churchill War Rooms (basically two must-dos in one). Click here to check prices and book.
- Cutest London Afternoon Tea on a Bus – want to see the sights and enjoy afternoon tea at the same time on the upper deck? Yes, absolutely you do. This afternoon tea is a real delight and helps you get out and about while also putting your pinkies up. Click here to check prices and book.
UK Travel Planning Guide: the FAQs
🏥 Should I buy UK travel insurance?
Absolutely yes. Basic coverage is not expensive, and as a visitor you are NOT covered under the NHS. Compare policies and prices with Travel Insurance Master here, a big name in the travel insurance business, and cross that off your list.
🔌 Do I need travel adapters for the UK?
Yes, you do, otherwise you won’t be able to plug in your electronics/phone/lifelines. I recommend this one, which is all-in-one so you can use it in other countries.
🚗 What do I need to drive in the UK?
The first thing you need to check out if you’re planning on renting a car in the UK is this guide to driving in the UK for visitors – the roads, signs, and driving experience will likely not be what you’re used to and it’s essential to prepare yourself to stay safe and aware.
🛌 What’s the best way to book hotels in the UK?
For UK hotels, Booking is the best site as it offers free cancellation on many properties. If you want an apartment, I always recommend VRBO over AirBnb.
📳 Will my phone work in the UK?
Yes – if you set it up right. Check out my guide on making your foreign phone work in the UK to ensure that you get the type of service you need.
🚿 Can I drink the water in the UK?
Yes, UK water is great and perfectly safe. But drink out of taps in any kitchen or use water fountains. Double check before drinking out of the taps in hotel bathrooms, though, as they may be on a different system. London water is safe to drink.
I read sometime ago that by paying £7.50 monthly by direct debit you can have free access to the Churchill War Rooms – is this still the case?