When my family said they wanted to visit the Churchill War Rooms, I thought, “Hmmm, maybe I’ll sleep in that morning.” Well, I didn’t and I’m glad.
I’m not a huge history buff, so I thought I’d bore quickly during the self-guided audio tour. Just the opposite!
This underground bunker for Winston Churchill, his staff and advisors during WWII was unlike any “museum” I’ve ever visited. The tour takes you throughout the living and working areas of the bunker, such as the sleeping quarters and the communications room.
Highlights include Churchill's sleeping quarters with its single bed and desk, the secretarial area with a silent typewriter (Churchill couldn't tolerate the clattering noise) and the map room where the positions of British forces and foes were noted with pushpins on huge paper maps lining the room.
These areas are untouched by time and look as they did years ago except for the uniformed mannequins positioned throughout.
In the middle of the bunker is a large, modern exhibit room detailing Churchill’s life. The room is dark and the lighting design adds an interesting feel to all the artifacts.
One cleverly designed display was an arrangement of Churchill’s hats. Not only did Churchill enjoy wearing hats, but also used them as part costume, designed to convey a particular public image. He knew a thing or two about personal PR!
In addition to his exceptional intellect and motivating leadership, the museum also highlights Churchill’s creative talents. He was a gifted and prolific writer who reported from the front lines as a young war correspondent, penned volumes of books and crafted speeches that rank among the most powerful in history.
He was also a talented artist who especially enjoyed painting landscapes. Although just a joyful hobby throughout Churchill's adult life, his work now fetches millions.
As reported in the New York Times, actor Brad Pitt bought a Churchill painting in 2011 for $2.9 million as a gift for his then-wife, actress Angelina Jolie. Flash forward, the romance is over and she sold the painting at Christie’s in 2021 for around $11.5 million. That’s one way to stick it to an ex.
At the end of the War Rooms tour, like every attraction, is a gift shop. I can honestly say the items for sale rank among the best I’ve seen at a tourist spot. There is a large selection of high-quality books (no surprise), but what I enjoyed the most was the use of vintage propaganda imagery.
My favorite was the phrase “Keep Mum She’s Not So Dumb!” blazon across a poster featuring a blonde surrounded by military men. No cocktail or pillow talk secrets around her, she could be a spy. Got to love some retro kitsch!
With its wealth of information, a visit to the Churchill War Rooms is a London must see attraction for history and non-history buffs alike. The overall experience digs deep into Churchill’s life revealing his multifaceted persona while also successfully portraying work and life in the bunker.
Tickets, which range from £15 - £30 (about $29-$35) for ages 5 and up, are available at the door, but play it safe and book a time slot ahead of time as lines, or queues as the Brits like to say, can get long.
Guided tours for small groups are available for an additional price are offered before regular museum hours several times a week. For an even more immersed experience and a much bigger ticket price, the museum offers "behind the glass" private tours that allow you to walk around the spaces off limits to regular visitors.
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