Imperial War Museum London
What Visitors Say
This place is so fascinating. I grew up around WW2 veterans and my children share my interest. This place is so easy to enjoy and learn. I loved the screens with film, script and all sorts of information. A modern take on an historic subject.
Really good staff in all respects. Good toilets and cafe. Shop nice but pricey in my opinion. Exhibits interesting but not enough of them. Too many gaps and not enough to see physically. Felt like a whole floor was missing which it was, closed off. Overall good but getting a little dated. Would still recommend for schools and overseas visitors. Perhaps some input from current armed forces, loaned exhibits?
My second visit ever here I came many years ago and it has changed massively but still as impressive. Over several floors so you need quite a few hours to fully appreciate and explore this place. Many exhibits on display with lots of information,some very impressive artifacts too. A cafe now on site and several shops which have lots of things to look at but quite pricey. I bought a few books just to contribute as this museum is free entry with donations welcome. If you didn't know this museum stands on the grounds where once stood Bethlehem Royal Hospital (Bedlam).
Brilliant throughout, lots of space, although it does get busy. The cafe sells quality produce at a price, great seating area. The toilets are clean, but the hand-wash facilities need attention, it takes twice as long as it should to wash your hands, water is temperamental, soap, good luck, and drying, you'll be better off blowing them dry. However it was a great day out
It is decades since I last went to the IWM. It has been improved and was fabulous. The interactivity, films, exhibits, talks and hands on areas and the live speeches make it an incredible day out. The Holocaust rooms provide an incredibly moving testimony. The way the story is told and the dark beauty in some of the exhibits shine a powerful light on the darkest and most evil time in human existence.
Highlights
Atrium Icons
Full-size aircraft and missilesSuspended exhibits include a Spitfire, Harrier jet and V-2 rocket, charting aviation from 1940s dogfights to Cold War technology.
Main Atrium
WWI Galleries
Life on the Western FrontThousands of objects and films recreate 1914-1918 trenches, rationing and the global scale of the conflict.
Level 0
WWII Galleries
Global war, 1939-1945Updated galleries explore Blitz aftermath, home front resilience and technology from Enigma to radar.
Level 1
Holocaust Galleries
Deep, survivor-led narrativesOpened in 2021 alongside new WWII spaces, these galleries trace events through testimony, documents and objects.
Upper levels
Art of War
War artists’ striking visionsPaintings and prints from 1916 onward show how artists processed conflict, from Nash to Piper and beyond.
Temporary and core displays
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Founded in 1917, the museum began collecting while the First World War was still being fought.
IWM London is one of five branches, alongside IWM Duxford, HMS Belfast, Churchill War Rooms and IWM North.
The new Second World War and Holocaust Galleries opened together in 2021 after a major redevelopment.
A German V-2 rocket on display represents the world’s first long-range guided ballistic missile (first used 1944).
The main atrium regularly displays a Battle of Britain-era Supermarine Spitfire.
