Churchill War Rooms, HCA Auditorium

Could very well be the most impressive museum I've visited. Each of the exhibits is extremely well done, with exactly the right amount of information to read in a timely manner and continue moving on to the next. It's a small space, so if it is a crowded day, and you want to see everything, expect to spend 4-5 hours. The time went by so fast because everything is so engrossing, we didn't even realize we had been there for so long! The interactive exhibits are fascinating and seeing things left just as they were when the war was over and the Rooms closed was surreal. There's definitely a presence to be felt there, especially as you listen to the stories of those who lived through it via the many videos. For any history buff, this is an experience you must do whilst in London. Thoroughly, utterly impressed.

The Churchill War Rooms is a compelling, immersive, and emotionally powerful museum experience. Its greatest strength lies in the preserved bunker environment — walking through rooms where real wartime decisions were made gives a visceral sense of history. The additional Churchill Museum adds depth to the man behind much of Britain’s WWII strategy. However, crowded spaces, dependency on audio guides, and narrow corridors are real constraints. If you visit, try to go early, take your time, and manage expectations about room capacity and flow. If I were you, I’d rate it among London’s “must-see” historical attractions — especially for history buffs, those interested in Churchill, or visitors wanting a deeper story behind London during WWII. It’s less ideal for those who dislike enclosed spaces or large crowds, but with planning, the experience is very rewarding.

The Churchill War Rooms is an incredible piece of world history that is quite unassuming and easy to miss from street level however, step inside and head underground and something rather special unfolds. The discreet entrance is tucked away at a corner of the building and you enter through the glazed doors and copper canopy roof. Stairs or a lift then take you underground to the reception area where you get further information on the war rooms but also, this is where you pick up your audio guide screen and headset that is all included in your ticket price. Toilets are available at this location should you need before you set off. As you start your exploration, each key stage is numbered and corresponds to a spoken and visual recording on your AV equipment. Multiple languages are available and the content is perfect…. Easy to understand and sufficient in detail. It’s hard to imagine that after WW2, this place was simply shut down and left just as the last people down here walked out and locked it up. The Churchill War Rooms is a superb piece of history that is set out to enable people to absorb themselves into the reality of what was going on down here, the significance of their work and life itself. There is so much to see, look at, listen to and watch and you would need a few visits to do it all in detail however, if you allow a couple of hours you will have had a thorough insight and a great experience stepping back in time. Plenty of helpful staff on hand along with a cafe and gift shop should you desire. The Churchill War Rooms is a great experience and something definitely worth doing if you have a couple of hours spare whilst in London.