Powerful museum exploring the history of modern conflict from WWI to the present day. The Holocaust Galleries and First World War galleries are particularly moving permanent exhibitions.
The Imperial War Museum London in Lambeth occupies the former Bethlem Royal Hospital building — known historically as Bedlam — a neoclassical structure completed in 1815 and set within Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, south of the Thames. The museum was founded in 1917 during the First World War to record British and Commonwealth military experience, and has since evolved into an institution that documents the causes and consequences of modern conflict from 1914 to the present, with particular emphasis on civilian experience and the human cost of war.
The central atrium houses large objects including a Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft suspended from the ceiling, a V2 rocket, a Mark V tank from the First World War, and sections of the Berlin Wall. These objects set the scale of what the museum addresses before visitors enter the thematic galleries. The First World War Galleries, redesigned in 2014 to mark the war's centenary, follow a broadly chronological narrative using immersive recreations, personal testimonies, and artefacts including soldiers' letters, trench periscopes, and gas masks. The approach consistently emphasises individual human stories alongside strategic context.
The Holocaust Galleries, opened in a substantially expanded form in 2021, represent the museum's most significant investment in a single permanent exhibition. Covering the persecution of Jews and other groups under the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945, they combine documentary evidence, personal testimony, recovered objects, and architectural space. The galleries were developed over several years in close collaboration with Holocaust survivors and are widely regarded as among the most important museum spaces in the United Kingdom. Entry is free; the galleries are designed for visitors aged 12 and over, though there is no formal age restriction.
The Secret War Gallery traces the history of British intelligence and Special Operations Executive activity from the First World War to the present, with genuine SOE equipment and documents. The permanent collection also covers the Korean War, the Falklands conflict, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through photographs, personal accounts, and equipment displays. Six branch sites operate under the Imperial War Museum umbrella, including HMS Belfast on the Thames, the Churchill War Rooms, and the Imperial War Museum Duxford air museum in Cambridgeshire.
Highlights
- Holocaust Galleries (2021 expansion): one of the most significant museum exhibitions on the Nazi persecution of Jews in the UK
- First World War Galleries: centenary redesign with trench recreations, personal testimonies, and original artefacts
- Central atrium: Spitfire, Hurricane, V2 rocket, and Mark V WWI tank on permanent display
- Secret War Gallery: SOE and intelligence artefacts tracing British covert operations from 1914 onwards
- Sections of the Berlin Wall displayed alongside Cold War aircraft and weaponry
Tips for visiting
- Admission to all permanent galleries is free and no pre-booking is required
- The Holocaust Galleries are emotionally demanding; allow ample time and consider visiting on a quieter weekday
- Arrive at opening at 10am when the atrium is at its most impressive before the main crowds
- Family-specific programmes and activities run on weekends and in school holidays — check the events calendar online
- The museum cafe offers good value by central London standards
- Lambeth North Underground station (Bakerloo line) is a two-minute walk from the main entrance
- Allow at least 3 hours for the Holocaust Galleries and First World War Galleries alone; the full museum warrants a full day
Accessibility
The museum is fully wheelchair-accessible with step-free entrances from Lambeth Road, lifts to all gallery floors, accessible toilets on each level, and audio description available in selected galleries including the First World War Galleries.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Imperial War Museum free to enter?
Yes, admission to all permanent galleries is free. Some temporary special exhibitions and evening events carry a separate charge.
Are the Holocaust Galleries suitable for children?
The Holocaust Galleries contain disturbing historical content. The museum recommends them for visitors aged 12 and over; parental discretion is advised for younger children.
How long does a visit take?
The Holocaust Galleries and First World War Galleries each warrant 1.5 to 2 hours of dedicated time. A thorough visit covering all permanent galleries takes most of a day.
Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, the museum is fully accessible with step-free entrances from Lambeth Road, lifts to all gallery floors, accessible toilets on each level, and a limited number of wheelchairs available to borrow.