Churchill War Rooms

What to expect

Churchill War Rooms is the underground bunker beneath the Treasury building where Britain's government ran the Second World War. Work began in 1938, and the complex came into use in August 1939. A thick concrete layer was added in 1940 for protection. When the war ended in 1945 the rooms were simply left, which is why so much survives untouched.

A visit has two parts. First you walk through the preserved Cabinet War Rooms: the Cabinet Room, the Map Room with its wall of charts and the cramped sleeping quarters. Then you enter the Churchill Museum, a large exhibition about his life with an interactive table in the middle. It is mostly low-ceilinged, indoor and fairly dark, and an audio guide is included for walking around.

Don't miss

• The Cabinet Room
• The Map Room with its wall charts
• Churchill's office and bedroom
• The Transatlantic Telephone Room
• The interactive table in the Churchill Museum

Tips for your visit

• Allow two to three hours, more if you listen to everything on the audio guide.
• Book a timed ticket in advance in the busy months, because entry is limited.
• It is a short walk from Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and St James's Park.
• Check the access details on the official site first if you use a wheelchair, as the bunker is underground.