London
Town Guide


Imperial War Museum

Lambeth Road, SE1
Nearest Tube: Lambeth North
Tel: 0891 60 01 40


This museum, located in Lambeth district south of the River Thames, is dedicated to all aspects of the various wars that Britain and the other commonwealth countries have been involved in this century. But rather than being just a static museum about warfare, the various exhibitions tell the story of the wars through the viewpoint of the soldiers and the survivors.

There is the usual collection of weapons and war memorabilia, but these are complemented by lots of interesting documents, paintings, films and videos. There are also several excellent interactive galleries and exhibitions.

Examples include the Trench Experience which recounts the First World War and includes the sights, sounds and even smells of the war. Similarly the Blitz Experience tells the story of the bombing of London during the Second World War.

More recently there are exhibitions on the Cold War, the Falklands War and even the Iranian embassy siege of 1980. The excellent use of technology and the museum's sympathetic handling of the subject have won the Imperial War Museum several awards. And it also means that both adults and kids, regardless of age or sex, will find this museum interesting.

Interestingly enough, until 1930 the building which houses the Imperial War Museum was the former home of Bethlehem Royal Hospital for the Insane, the infamous mental hospital better known as Bedlam.

The Imperial War Museum is open daily 10am-6pm. Tickets cost around £5 for adults, but after 4.30pm entry is free. This museum is noted for its excellent accessibility for the disabled.



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