Calling all military history buffs! If you think you know your B-17s from your Lancasters, your Mustangs from your Spitfires, London is a city filled with must-see museums.
A visit to the best war museums in London will definitely leave you feeling more informed than ever, and perhaps even have you wishing you could go back to your high school history class. Or, at the very least, you might feel inspired to crack open that history book you picked up in the gift shop.
And if you’re fascinated by the First and Second World Wars in particular, places like the Churchill War Rooms and the Imperial War Museum have enough historic documents, lovingly curated exhibitions, and big guns to keep you entertained for hours.
Let’s take a closer look at these award-winning museums and their unique (and often highly personal) take on the decisive moments of these conflicts that continue to define our lives.
Image Credit: Imperial War Museums. Image Location: Churchill War Rooms
The Churchill War Rooms: is it worth it?
The bunker from where British government ministers, military strategists and Prime Minister Winston Churchill led the allies to victory in World War II is a London war museum must-see.
The historic rooms, first opened to the public in 1984, are preserved exactly as they once were. Visitors are guided through the winding corridors with a well-crafted audio guide that effectively recreates the tension of the time while recounting the critical decisions made at the height of World War II.
Tickets include access to both the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum so that you can better understand the life and work of Britain's best-known Prime Minister. Paid admission.
Closest stations: Westminster, St James's Park
Do you need to pre-book the Churchill War Rooms?
It’s recommended you book in advance to avoid waiting in line.
Image Credit: Getty Images. Image Location: Imperial War Museum, London
Imperial War Museum, London
This monumental museum is home to two standout permanent exhibitions, the First World War and Second World War Galleries, as well as a dedicated Holocaust Gallery. Showcasing thousands of historic objects, often alongside the words of those who were involved, the museum effectively tells the stories of people on all sides of the conflicts. There are also exhibitions which explain the contexts that led to both wars. Free admission.
Closest stations: Lambeth North, Elephant & Castle
Image Credit: Imperial War Museums. Image Location: HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast
A warship experience right on the River Thames, this museum offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like for the sailors that lived and worked (and even those that baked) on the ship. The HMS Belfast served on D-Day and during the Battle of the North Cape in World War II, as well as seeing combat in the Korean War. After being decommissioned, the ship was converted into the ever-popular attraction you see today. Tickets grant access to its main rooms and nine decks, where you can enjoy a stunning view of the city and the always astonishing Tower Bridge. Paid admission.
Closest station: London Bridge
National Army Museum
This museum tells the story of Britain through the lens of its Army—from its formation to its current regional and global roles—and explores the impacts of its soldiers in shaping history and geopolitics. In the gallery dedicated to the Army's Global Role, reopened in 2022, objects collected from soldiers reflect their experiences and their interactions with the world, as well as showcasing the diversity of Britain's army. Free admission.
Closest station: Sloane Square
Image Credit and Location: RAF Museum, London.
Royal Air Force Museum, London
Whether you're an expert on military aircrafts or not, the vast and rich collection of this museum may at least make you much more knowledgeable. With exhibitions spread over six hangars, visitors are introduced to the over 100-year history of the RAF and walked through the evolution of aviation and its role in wars, from the First World War to the present day. RAF icons are on display, such as the Spitfire, Hurricane, Gladiator and Defiant, as well as the German rival Messerschmitt Bf 109. WWII-history buffs will also have a lot to sink their teeth into at the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command exhibitions. Free admission.
Closest station: Colindale
And the best way to get from Heathrow to Central London...
Download the Trainline App today to book your tickets from Heathrow to London. And if we still haven't been able to quench your thirst for knowledge, take a look at our article on the best museums in Amsterdam, Paris and London or better still, go and see one of the critical battle sites of WWII by booking a train to Normandy’s D-Day beaches.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Paulo Amorim. Location: Winston Churchill Statue, Parliament Square, London