The Cabinet War Rooms were designed as underground bunkers to house the Prime Minister and his cabinet during WWII so that they could continue the British war effort even during aerial bombardment of London. When Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited the Cabinet War Rooms in May 1940 he said "'This is the room from which I will direct the war.'
The museum contains the actual cabinet 'war room' where Churchill met with his cabinet during the war, and the map room which allowed Churchill and his chief of staff to plot enemy lines and the allies offensive positions. Among the many things on display, do look out for the 'telephone scrambler system' which allowed Churchill to speak secirly with President Roosevelt, it was concealed as Churchill's lavatory.
The war rooms contain not only the rooms from which the cabinet directed the war effort, but also living accommodation for Churchill and his wife, along with trusted advises and his chiefs of staff. You can see Churchill's bedroom and dining room and the small kitchen at which meals where prepared.
The Churchill Museum, the world’s first major museum dedicated to life of Winston Churchill, opened in Feb 2005 and contains chronologically arranged exhibitions that tell the private and public life of Winston Churchill. The museum is housed within the Cabinet War Rooms.
Entry tickets will admit visitors to both the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum.
Opening Times
Daily:9:30am - 6.00pm
Last admission is at 5pm.
Open everyday except 24 - 26 Dec.
Prices:
Adults: £12
Children under 16: Free
Address:
Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
Clive Steps
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AQ
United Kingdom
Telephone: 020 7930 6961
Nearest Tube Stations:
St James Park, Westminster.
External Links
The Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms website
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