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Imperial War Museum
History Museum
Lambeth, London, Greater London, London
Has a stamp of approval from Time Out London and Londonist
"The WWI exhibition was meticulously curated."(5 Tips)
"The holocaust section on the third floor is amazing."(3 Tips)
"The Secret War exhibition is stunning!"(2 Tips)"The permanent Holocaust exhibition is a harrowing highlight."(2 Tips)
127 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Dragos MargoiMarch 13, 2016The IWM was created in 1917 to collect and display material relating to World War I. In 1939 the Museum started adding artefacts from the Second World War, including memorabilia from modern conflicts.
NoMade InMongoliaMarch 22, 2015Great museum! Spacious lot of places to sit. Very high tech- lot of interactive displays. Distribute your energy wisely- because you WILL get tired!
Upvoted Mar 16
Jeku ArceFebruary 10, 2015The Holocaust was very detailed. Lots of great information & interactive displays. The WWI Art exhibit was my favorite when I went Feb 2015. The Afghanistan exhibit was my 2nd favorite.
Mike ☕️🍷✈️May 19, 2018Comprehensive history of the two world wars, a very moving holocaust section & insights into other more recent conflicts.
Kursad AlbayraktarogluJuly 28, 2019Every military history enthusiast should visit this museum at least once. Amazing variety of artifacts from both world wars and the Cold War. The World War 1 exhibit is particularly breathtaking.- ZaraFebruary 5, 2015One of the best museums in the world. So many exhibits means that you can easily spend a whole day engrossing yourself in history here. Cafe staff are rude but the museum staff are great.
Guido GybelsMay 2, 2018Must-see museum in Central London, with some really excellent interactive guidance/narrative displays. On many floors are key exhibits above you, suspended from the ceiling: make sure to look upwards!
Stevie WonderMarch 26, 2015Great experience. Takes about 3 hours to see everything. Free lockers bring £1 coin.
Wayne AndermanSeptember 8, 2022Incredible display of pre/post WWI & WWII history. From the skies above, on & below the high seas, in the trenches across Europe, to the British home front. Plan several hours to witness and learn.
Petr J.October 11, 2019Benchmark of modern museum. I especially liked the WWI exhibition but the floors are worth a visit. Nobody should miss a visit.
You'll go from wow to sorrow and back again - one of London's best exhibitions and it's free! Make sure you give generously though.
- Matt TaylorSeptember 29, 2014Free entry and a new basement level make this classic London museum a must visit for locals and tourists alike. The permanent Holocaust exhibition is a harrowing highlight.
- Emma WijningaSeptember 15, 2016Great museum, great collection in a perfect chonological order. Easy to understand, no need to read all the info. A must visit when in London.
- DavidMarch 20, 2015Recently renovated (they expanded down into the basement) it's even better. First class curating and exhibition design.
Alex BosworthJuly 7, 2019The holocaust memorial videos were well done. Reminds me a lot of similar stories from my grandmother who was a survivor. The rest of the museum is interesting too- Richard BrilliAugust 23, 2015The WWI exhibition was meticulously curated. Nice blend of artifacts and multimedia storytelling.
Matthew SuttonJanuary 9, 2017The IWM has some incredible artifacts, and displays them in engaging and informative ways. Among London's world class museums, this one stands out.
Fatih KuranMay 18, 2015Definitely worth to visit. 1st World War section is even better. I would come again with my son
Gagan JainAugust 7, 2014Love the revamped museum. Only advice is to have enough time available when you go here. Anything less than 3 hours and you may have to skip a floor or two.
New York HabitatMarch 22, 2012This free museum is a must-see for history lovers! There are a lot of interesting exhibitions, so be sure to take the time to get the full experience.
Robert PJuly 11, 2011Visit the Ashcroft Gallery on the top floor.It's always quiet up here. There's part of Lord Ashcroft's massive collection of Victoria Cross medals, most with a moving story on how they were awarded.
Kristopher BoronMarch 28, 2018So well done and worth hours to devout to exploring! This free war museum is a great compliment to Churchill’s War Rooms.
Nuutti HyttinenMarch 29, 2011This is a must see when visiting London. Been there three times so far and still there remains a lot more to see. Start your way from WWI and work your way upwards for the best experience!
RoxannaAugust 23, 2014Don't miss the Holocaust exhibit starting on 4th floor! Long long queues for WWI exhibit on ground floor & so crowded that one can't really see anything, so will be back again soon!
Lisa NSeptember 24, 2017Fantastic museum. WW1 exhibition in particular was very immersive and informative. Can't believe it's free!
Eddi CoDecember 30, 2017the Holocaust on the 4th floor is bloody amazing. It will deffo give you goosebumps.
- Combine this with the Tibetan peace garden, kids play ground and park adjacent for a free family day out
LondonistAugust 15, 2010Two lesser-visited parts you must see: The Sargent Room, with huge canvasses of WWI and the Crimes Against Humanity film. Both are on the third floor.
Derek WatsonJune 21, 2023Excellent collection, well put together, I could spend many hours in here. Some harrowing content.
HummerGJBJuly 22, 2018One of the best museums I have been to. The Holocaust exhibit triggers a lot of emotion.
Jiri KramApril 13, 2012Great venue with a lot of exhibits from both world wars. If you love military history it is a must for you in London.
SergejNovember 14, 2010Very impressive museum with displays from WW1 to WW2, cold war, post cold war. If you have strong nerves visit Holocaust exhibition in 4th floor as well. Museum closes at 6oo pm - free admittance.
TeeJanuary 17, 2015The WWI section on the ground flpor is worth a visit alone. Very very interesting and educational.
Colin Z.November 24, 2016Outstanding. Try to come when school groups aren't there. They were everywhere when we went.
UpShift DigitalAugust 4, 2023Really nice museum. Holocaust exhibit was very well done. Definitely recommend.- Phil ClampOctober 27, 2014Highly recommend a visit, very well presented for the 1WW centenary. Learnt a lot.
Andy MetcalfeAugust 19, 2014Amazing day here, did holocaust exhibition. Not nice because of subject matter but very informative
SpirishJanuary 11, 2014They refurbished and they did quite a good job, particularly around the 2nd world war which was already their forte before.
Henrique XavierFebruary 15, 2015Nice museum with lots to see. Two hours just for WWI. The presentation is very beautiful but a bit confusing.
HISTORY UKFebruary 15, 2011The museum is located in the former Royal Bethlem Hospital for the mentally ill (from where the term ‘bedlam’ comes). The iconic guns at the front are 15 inch naval cannon, both used in action in WW2.
Time Out LondonFebruary 23, 2012Antique guns, tanks, aircraft and artillery are parked in the main hall of this imposing edifice, built in 1814 as a lunatic asylum (the Bethlehem Royal Hospital, aka Bedlam). Read more
MiklósApril 24, 2016Only the part about the first World War is about a war of the British Empire (if that makes a difference to you, be warned).
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- Mon–Sun
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
+44 20 7416 5320
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