Traveler Description
A vast collection of weapons, vehicles, models, photos and film are reminders of Britain's involvement and sacrifices during the wars of the 20th century.

Address: Lambeth Road
Phone: 44-20-7416-5000

http://www.iwm.org.uk/

Traveler Reviews

World's best Museum
Reviewed by cctsbuddy on Feb 28, 2010


The Imperial War museum is the best museum of its kind I've ever seen. The exhibits especially the Great War trench are excellent. This is a must stop for anybody with an interest in the history of the 20th century. The exhibits are constantly changing so repeat visits are warranted there is always something new to review. I never make a trip to London without visiting this place it gives me a better understanding of how the world as we know it today has evolved from the late 19th century to today.

Profound, informative, thoughtful exhibits
Reviewed by BCKL78 on Feb 25, 2010


My only regret is I didn't spend as much time here as I would have liked. The sections on covert operations and survival at sea were very imformative and interesting. The two-floor Holocaust exhibit was particularly poignant and powerful. Anyone interested in 20th century political history, military history, and the human and material cost of armed conflict should find this a very worthwhile and compelling take.

Disapointingly small collection, often poorly displayed and overrun by school groups
Reviewed by tnor on Jan 23, 2010


I was looking forward to looking at this museum but was disapointed with the scale of the collection on display (I belive that much more is at the Duxford site) and with how many of items were displayed The large items in the hall were interesting but could have been arranged to tell more of a story (ie. put the V2 and Polaris missle closer together and compare). The more detailled displays down stairs were spoilt by over crowding and poor lighting, the overall arrangement was a bit fragmented and seemed to have needed to pass a "political correctness" test. Not many "battle" stories - almost more focus on the home front (not that it was not important) Probbaly should be renamed the British War Museum as there was very little recognision of the role played and sacrifice made by Dominion forces Recognising that it has an importent educational role, more could be done to enage the significant number of school children who seemed to mill or run around - not sure they would have gotten too much out of it

One of the best museums in London (Kennington)
Reviewed by Kennington on Jan 12, 2010


We live in Kennington so this is our local museum and even though we have visited it on more than 20 occasions I still do not think we have covered all of it. There are some great things for children of all ages to do. Downstairs there is the children's museum where the children can learn all about World War II from a child's perspective, from learning about rationing to what it was like for evacuees. There is also the trench experience and the blitz experience, my children never tire of them. They run plenty of activities for the children during school holidays and at weekends. It has a really great gift shop and a lovely cafe. It is set in a park so in the summer the children can enjoy the playground or sit at the outside cafe and eat an ice cream.

Very Impressed! Huge Collection!
Reviewed by travelingspartans08 on Jan 3, 2010


My husband is a huge history buff so I thought he would enjoy stopping here on our trip. In the end, we both really enjoyed it and thought it was well worth the time we spent here. They have a huge collection of memorabilia from the world wars, and it is very well laid out. Many of their exhibits were experiences, not just viewing (i.e. you get to walk in a trench, and in a typical london house during the war). We did not have time to do all of it which we regret, but it is definitely worth a stop on your trip!