Discover extraordinary stories at Imperial War Museum London
- lisahylton2
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
Visit the world’s leading war museum and hear extraordinary stories of ordinary people’s experiences of conflict.
From the moment you step into the iconic atrium, to the countless discoveries awaiting you in the award-winning galleries, Imperial War Museum London examines the continuing influence of war on our world.
Imperial War Museum was founded while the First World War was still being fought - not formed as a monument to military glory, but to collect and display material as a record of everyone’s experiences during that war - civilian and military - and to commemorate the sacrifices of all sections of society.
What’s Here?
Witness to War
In the museum’s magnificent Atrium meet an array of objects that bear witness to the force, fury and physicality of war. Each has a story to tell – from the First World War artillery piece that became a memorial for the men who fought with it, to the wreckage of the Land Rover operated on the Gaza Strip by the Reuters press agency.
Walk under the iconic Spitfire that flew 57 combat missions during the Battle of Britain in 1940, or a Harrier Jet that flew patrols over northern Iraq in the early 1990s.
Experience the Trenches
In the First World War Galleries, get to know some of the people who lived, fought and died in the conflict, and experience for yourself some of the sights and sounds that were part of daily life for those on the Western Front.
Personal Stories
Explore over 1,500 objects from the Second World War that bring to life a conflict which affected millions of people from around the world, from London to Russia, to New Zealand, to China and the Philippines. Uncover individual stories from some of the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust, told through over 2,000 photos, books, artworks, letters and personal objects ranging from jewellery and clothing to toys and musical instruments.
Peace and Security
Take a thought-provoking look at some of the most complex and controversial episodes of recent history in Peace and Security: 1945 to 2014, revealing how conflicts have been fought and communities divided and re-joined in countries such as Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries
Delve into the complex tension between creativity and destruction in our newest galleries, housing over 500 works showcasing the experiences and innovations of artists, filmmakers and photographers and reflecting the seismic social, cultural and political changes across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
See war through the eyes of people who lived it. Be moved. Be inspired. Be transformed.
Essential Information
Location: Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ
Getting Here: Just a 15 mins walk from London Waterloo.
Entry: Museum entry and all temporary exhibitions are free, and you don't need to book.
Website: Visit www.iwm.org.uk for more details.
