• London Walks
  • Museums and Galleries
  • Day Tours From London
  • Overnight Tours
  • Stonehenge Tours
  • Military Tours
  • Rambling Tours
  • Virtual Tours of Britain
  • Paris Day Tours
  • Day Tours from Paris
  • Overnight Tours of France
  • Normandy Tours
  • Airport Transfers
  • Rome Day Tours
  • Day Tours from Rome
  • Overnight Tours of Italy
  • Special Interest Tours

Winston Churchill Tour

"We are all worms, "said Churchill, "but I do believe that I am a glow-worm".

churchill tour london

This tour is available in most languages. Select your language on checkout.

Share with friends

TripAdvisor

About The Tour

Some of the glow persists. You can see some of it when you look at the great brooding statue staring, oblivious to London traffic, across the east side of Parliament Square towards the House of Commons, the scene of so many triumphs.

You get another glimpse in his bedroom in the Cabinet War Rooms underneath Whitehall; the walls are covered with maps showing the deployment of Army units expecting any day to have to face a seaborne invasion and the might of Hitler's Wehrmacht.

But perhaps it is at its clearest at Chartwell where, when things were at their lowest ebb and the country seemed disinclined to confront the growing menace of Fascism, Churchill would prepare the speeches that would eventually convince so many of his friends that something would have to be done and that he would be the best man to do it.

And the afterglow is there too in the little churchyard of St Martin's in Bladon where a plain stone marks the tomb of Winston and Clementine Churchill and the dates of their lives.

Ask us about visiting the Churchill sights in London (the Cabinet War Rooms, St Margaret's Westminster where he married, Palace Gate where he lived in London, his statue in Parliament Square and memorial in the Abbey) or the sights outside London - (his birthplace at Blenheim Palace, or his grave at Bladon, or Chartwell in Kent, his home from 1924 to 1965 where the rooms and gardens remain much as he left them). All sights could be visited on an overnight tour.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN.

Chartwell & leeds castle, anne boleyn's & churchill's homes, oxford, blenheim palace & windsor, churchill war rooms, private view, after crossing the channel we circled over pegasus bridge and then east along the coastline over the landing beaches. rod provided a great overview and was a wonderful guide/host. the pilots and aircraft were top notch as well ... an outstanding day.

Kirk and Tammy Shaw

Why choose us?

Because you insist on the longest-established and most experienced service available in Britain. Founded in 1958, British Tours is still under the same management. About Us

Who is your Guide?

Our guides are personable educated men and women, chosen for their knowledge, special interests, backgrounds and personality. They will collect you by car from any central London location and guide you inside places of historic importance

churchill tour london

Follow us on our journey

girl gone london

5 Best Winston Churchill Tours in 2024 (ranked!)

This post contains affiliate links for which I may make a small commission to help keep the site running. You will not be charged extra for these items had you not clicked the links. Thank you for your help to keep the site running!

Ready to book the best Winston Churchill tours in London?

You’ve come to the right place because I’m covering the top 5 Churchill tours here!

How do I know?

I’ve lived in London since 2012 and have explored far and wide, so I know that one of the best things to do in London for World War II and Churchill lovers is to book a tour and explore.

Only quality tours are included in this list so you know that every tour you book is worth your money and time.

Want me to cut to the chase?

The best Churchill tour of London is this historical London walking tour with Churchill War Rooms entry.

churchill tour london

⏳ Don’t have time to read the whole list?

The best Churchill tour of London is this historical London walking tour with War Rooms entry .

Click here to check prices and availability.

There are plenty of London Winston Churchill tours to choose from, most including entry to the Churchill War Rooms , so let’s get right down to it.

In this list, you’ll find 5 of the top-rated Churchill tours so you know you’re making the right choice.

Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group , where I can answer more of your questions!

Easy Guide: Best Winston Churchill Tours in London

1. historical london walking tour in westminster & churchill war rooms entry.

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 499+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

churchill tour london

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR

  • Entrance Ticket and reservation fee for the Churchill War Rooms
  • Audio guide and map of the Churchill War Rooms
  • Guided walking tour of Westminster Area
  • Small groups of 15 people or fewer

Looking for one of the best Winston Churchill tours?

Take a journey through the history of World War II on a guided tour of London Westminster .

Your knowledgeable guide will take you through the underground Churchill War Rooms, which were crucial offices during the war .

During the tour, you’ll see famous London landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, while also learning about Winston Churchill, the former British prime minister.

This isn’t just a sightseeing tour; it’s a chance to feel the emotions and stories of the city during WWII, including the tough days of the ‘Blitz.’

Inside the Churchill War Rooms, you can explore the fascinating Churchill Museum at your own pace, gaining insights into the life and work of this remarkable leader.

The audio tour of the underground war rooms includes powerful recordings of Churchill’s speeches that will move even the toughest of people.

2. Winston Churchill & Westminster in World War 2 Walking Tour : Churchill tour in London

churchill tour london

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 77+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 30 minutes – 3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

  • Guided tour of the City of Westminster
  • English Speaking local expert guide
  • Small group of max 15

Step back in time with this captivating World War II-themed walking tour of London, specially crafted for history enthusiasts.

As you stroll through the heart of London, you’ll discover the stories behind some of the most significant landmarks of the war effort.

Westminster Bridge , once painted green for the Houses of Commons, still bears the scars of World War II bombings, and you’ll hear the haunting tales of those fateful moments.

At the Houses of Parliament , witness how the bell of Big Ben fell silent, and the nation stood strong in the face of the Third Reich’s looming threat.

Marvel at the resilience of Westminster Abbey , the last Anglo-Saxon king’s dream and a bastion of the Church of England, as it survived the Blitz with the help of local heroes.

The grand finale of your tour is the iconic Churchill War Rooms , an underground labyrinth that served as the epicenter of the government’s war effort.

Please note that this is a small-group tour , ensuring an intimate experience without struggling to hear your guide.

Best suited for mobile travelers, your walking tour lets you witness numerous London highlights while diving deep into their historical significance.

3. Small Group Winston Churchill and London in WW2 Walking Tour : Winston Churchill Tours London

churchill tour london

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 14+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Explore the haunting remnants of London’s past as you delve into the scars left by German bombing during the Second World War.

Book this captivating walking tour , where you’ll be taken to the very spots where locals sought refuge in underground bomb shelters and witness the traces of buildings that once stood but were later cleared away.

You’ll also learn about the life of Winston Churchill and his role in the British government during the war.

You’ll truly be walking in the footsteps of great leaders and heroes, as well as getting to explore the War Rooms themselves.

With a flexible schedule , this tour is ideal for travelers of all ages and interests, making it a perfect choice for families looking to delve into the rich tapestry of 20th-century history.

4. Sir Winston Churchill Private Walking Tour & War Rooms

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 57+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

  • Professional guide
  • Hotel pickup
  • Private tour
  • Entry Tickets to the Churchill War Rooms

Take a trip into the past on this exclusive private walking tour – a tribute to Winston Churchill.

Your adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel or a convenient meeting point of your choice.

Together with your guide, you’ll delve into the captivating areas of Mayfair, Westminster, and Piccadilly, all of which hold a deep connection to Churchill’s life.

Your first stop takes us to Churchill’s childhood home , where you’ll gain unique insights into the early years that shaped the legend.

You’ll then move on to the illustrious 10 Downing Street , the residence where Churchill made significant decisions that would leave a lasting impact on the world.

The tour continues to the cigar shop frequented by Churchill as well as the Churchill War rooms , a historic sanctuary that held pivotal moments that shaped history.

This tour company understands that each traveler is unique, so your private tour can be tailored to your preferences and requirements.

5. London in WW2 Walking Tour with Churchill War Rooms Visit : Churchill Tour London

churchill tour london

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 33+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

  • Guided walking tour of the city of Westminster
  • English-speaking local expert guide
  • Entrance to Churchill’s War Rooms

Ready to head back to the 1940s?

With air raid sirens going off around you and Big Ben standing silent, it’s a whole different world under the cover of darkness.

This incredible walking tour takes you through the past as you discover unwavering British resolve while enjoying local landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Cenotaph, the Ministry of War and so much more.

This Churchill themed tour concludes at the War Rooms themselves, a network of strategic bunkers that once housed Churchill and his cabinet during crucial moments in the war.

Hey! Want more tours of London? Check these out!

  • 7 Best Black Cab Tours of London
  • 11 Best Royal Tours for Visitors in London
  • 5 Best Graffiti Tours in London
  • 9 Best Tours of London’s East End
  • 11 Best Ghost Tours in London
  • 11 Best Private Tours in London
  • 17 Best London Food Tours
  • 17 Best Harry Potter Tours in London
  • 11 Best London Bus Tours for Families
  • 15 Best London Pub Crawl Tours
  • 9 Best Street Art Tours in London
  • 9 Best London Literary Tours
  • 11 Best Jack the Ripper Tours in London
  • 11 Best London Bike Tours
  • 11 Best Beatles Tours in London
  • 11 Best London Museum Tours
  • 21 Best London Walking Tours
  • 11 Best London Rock N Roll Tours
  • 7 Best Changing of the Guards Tours in London
  • 19 Unique London Tours
  • 5 Best Open Top Bus Tours in London

Heading to London? Want the best tips?

Check out my Ultimate Guide to London for Visitors. Using text, images and video, this guide is packed full of tips, tricks, safety advice, knowledge on how to get around and what to do, and more!

churchill tour london

Moving to the UK or already an Expat?

Grab my book which covers moving to the UK, struggles I faced and that you might face too, and uplifting advice to help you along the way! Available in hard copy and on Kindle.

churchill tour london

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

  • Churchill War Rooms

Visit Churchill War Rooms

churchill tour london

Churchill War Rooms, London

THE UNDERGROUND BUNKER HOSTED WWII CABINET MEETINGS

Churchill war rooms, part of imperial war museums (iwm), includes the original cabinet war rooms, the wartime bunker which sheltered churchill and his staff during the blitz..

These historic rooms once buzzed with planning and plotting, strategies and secrets. Today visitors can explore the underground headquarters for themselves, see where Churchill and his War Cabinet met, sometimes late into the night, and look through the lens of history into the Map Room, where the books and charts have remained exactly where they were left on the day the lights were switched off in 1945.

The Churchill Museum, also part of Churchill War Rooms, has a vast collection of objects, which together explore the stories of Churchill’s life and legacy. Highlights from the current display include a rattle used by Churchill as a baby, a drawing by Graham Sutherland commemorating Churchill’s 80th birthday and the flag used to drape Churchill’s coffin at his State funeral.

UK schools, further education colleges and youth groups can learn about leadership and decision-making and how lives in Britain were affected by the Second World War by booking a self-guided site visit or a site visit with a Learning Session. Learning Sessions use original artefacts, documents, photographs, posters and film from our collections. IWM also undertakes and supports academic research, and our collections are open to the public.

Churchill War Rooms are open daily except for the Christmas holiday and many of our collection items are available for non-commercial usage at the IWM website .

IWM, including Churchill War Rooms, tells the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War. Our unique Collections, made up of the every day and the exceptional, reveal stories of people, places ideas and events. Using these, we tell vivid personal stories and create powerful physical experiences across our five museums that reflect the realities of war as both a destructive and creative force. We challenge people to look at conflict from different perspectives, enriching their understanding of the causes, course and consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives.

Plan your visit

To plan your visit or to find out more information, please visit the Imperial War Museums website.

Find Churchill War Rooms

Address: Clive Steps, King Charles St, Westminster, London SW1A 2AQ, UK Telephone: +44 20 7930 6961

churchill tour london

Finest Hour

Search online archives for articles, documents and more..

The Second World War

Writing, Articles & Books

In his lifetime, Churchill published more than 40 books in 60 volumes.

Churchill as a young man

Young Churchillians

Working to celebrate the life and achievements of a great leader.

Finest Hour 180

Publications

Get the Churchill Bulletin delivered to your inbox once a month.

Join the International Churchill Society today! Membership starts at just $29/year.

churchill tour london

WWII Secrets of Westminster, Churchill’s War Rooms & Museum Walking Tour

  • Experience WWII from the point of view of an inside operative on this eye-opening walking tour of Westminster, as you pass iconic London sites, including: 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Foreign and Commonwealth Buildings, Westminster Abbey and the Cenotaph National War Memorial , among others.
  • Next, head underground to the secret lair and wartime bunker of Sir Winston Churchill as your expert, English-speaking guide describes the tense days and nights living in this strategic labyrinth during the Blitz . Unchanged since 1945, history has been frozen in time in the hallowed halls of the Churchill War Rooms . Enjoy interactive exhibits and an audio guide of the Churchill Museum including recorded speeches of the future Prime Minister himself.
  • Spies, secrets and international espionage. For the history aficionado and battle enthusiast, this is a tour not to be missed. A captivating glimpse into Wartime London in the company of a local guide who will bring this rich living history to life. Nowhere else can you walk in the footsteps of men and women who have changed the world quite like this.

Tour Description

What's included.

  • Expert, English-speaking tour guide
  • Ticket to Churchill War Rooms and reservation fee

Sites Visited

  • Churchill War Rooms (inside)
  • Houses of Parliament
  • No 10 Downing Street
  • Foreign and Commonwealth Buildings
  • Westminster Abbey

World War II was a difficult time in London. A time when rations were scarce and Nazi bombings split families, sending unaccompanied children to take shelter with guardians in the countryside. As the people of London struggled to stay alive, their leader Winston Churchill battened down the hatches. He took his most trusted cabinet ministers and assistants to a secret bunker under the treasury, where they set up planning rooms wallpapered with maps and carefully planned the downfall of Hitler.

Learn about some of the most important events in recent history and hear stories of great personal sacrifice and triumph on our Churchill War Rooms tours. We combine a guided Westminster tour with a visit to Churchill War Rooms to introduce you to what life was like in London during World War II. With an expert guide on hand throughout (specially chosen for their passion and knowledge of this fascinating time), you’ll travel through the political heart of London, getting acquainted with one of its most controversial leaders and with the personal stories that bring this fascinating time to life.

The tour begins with a guided walking tour of Westminster. Here you’ll explore British politics at 10 Downing Street and hear an introduction to Winston Churchill, a man who inspired love and hatred in equal measures. Your guide will tell you about his close relationship with President Roosevelt and how the two leaders worked together to defeat Hitler. You’ll see Westminster Abbey, the iconic clock at Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Cenotaph – the national monument for victims of war.

Westminster was the base for the exiled government and its spies, who gathered here to plot the overthrow of Hitler and his fascist allies. We’ll take you to the heart of this underground world when you visit the Churchill War Rooms.

Left exactly as they were in 1945, with pots still on stoves, maps hung on walls, and beds made up and ready for Churchill and his ministers, these corridors offer a glimpse into this time. You’ll use the official audio guide to hear speeches by Churchill and personal testimonials from those who worked here. You’ll see original furnishings like the special sun lamps they used to ensure that they got enough Vitamin D, and the meeting rooms where D-Day was planned.

You'll learn about the men and women who risked their lives to work here, transferring transatlantic calls to President Roosevelt and carefully plotting the routes of the Allied forces. Of course, the biggest character in this story is the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.

Using the fantastic interactive displays at the Churchill Museum – including video excerpts, original radio broadcasts, newspaper caricatures, and testimonials – your expert guide will teach you all about the man behind the overthrow of Hitler. Famous for his inspirational (and often irreverent) speeches, Churchill is a man whose words you won’t soon forget.

Travel back to another time in London’s history and get acquainted with the men and women who helped to shape, not just the course of the city, but the world as we know it today.

Thousands of 5-Star Reviews

Tripadvisor, know before you go, meeting point.

Westminster Tube - Open in Google Maps

Important Notes

  • Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' access.

Cancelation Policy

This tour is subject to a 24-hour cancelation policy. If you wish to cancel or amend your booking, you can do so without charge by contacting us up to 24 hours in advance of your expected departure time.

Yes. After the walking tour outside with your guide, they will escort you to the Churchill War Rooms, where you will be given an audio guide, leaving you are free to explore at your own pace. We allocate one hour in our tour time for this, however you can stay longer, until closing time (6 pm) if you wish.

You should expect to receive an email within minutes of booking with your confirmation voucher.

Our City Wonders guides will be holding a sign or a flag with the name City Wonders written on it at the meeting point.

  • Book with Confidence: Free cancellations up to 24 hours before the experience begins (local time).
  • Multilingual Customer Service: Talk to us, we are here to help.
  • No Hidden Costs: All taxes and fees included.

You Might Also Like...

9 & 3/4 Platform

Unique Fully Guided Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Delight as the magic of Harry Potter comes to life again before your eyes. This fully guided London studios tour will take you back to your favorite scenes, with the real props, costumes and sets, with unforgettable behind-the-scenes commentary. See the Great Hall, Platform 9 ¾, Hagrid’s Hut and more!

London tours

Buckingham palace tours, get to know city wonders.

A City Wonders tour is the product of meticulous research, detailed planning, and a passion for providing customers with travel experiences they will cherish forever.

With City Wonders it's not just facts, our passionate guides tell you the stories that bring the sights to life.

  • All of our guides are experts in their field
  • We only hire fluent English-speakers so nothing is ever lost in translation
  • We focus on the little details and anecdotes that make City Wonders so special

Recommended London Posts

  • Top Destinations
  • Mexico City, Mexico
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Paris, France
  • Rome, Italy
  • London, United Kingdom
  • All Destinations
  • Middle East
  • Upcoming Experiences
  • Walking Tours
  • Small-Group Tours
  • Tours for Kids
  • Museum Tours
  • Food, Wine and Market Tours
  • Newly Added Tours
  • Audio Guides
  • Pre-Trip Lectures
  • Admin Dashboard
  • My Favorites
  • Client Orders
  • Client Referrals
  • Monthly Commissions
  • My Advisor Profile
  • Advisor Toolkit
  • Guide Dashboard

Credit Balance

Transactions are based on current exchange rates and performed in USD. There maybe slight variations in the price estimates.

Churchill War Rooms Tour: A Guided Crash Course with Skip-the-Line Tickets

churchill tour london

  • Dive into a captivating historical adventure led by top local experts, revealing the clandestine operations of London's WWII governmental offices.
  • Book a bespoke private tour tailored just for you and your group, or opt for a small group tour, joining up to 6 fellow enthusiasts for a unique exploration.

Mark

  • Churchill War Rooms – A secret underground bunker in London used during World War II as the nerve center of British operations, where Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his government conducted strategic planning and decision-making.
  • Whitehall – A historic road in the heart of London, is renowned as the hub of British government and the site of iconic buildings like Downing Street and the Ministry of Defense.
  • Your tour booking includes timed-entry admission tickets to the Churchill War Rooms.
  • With your tickets, our group will benefit from access to a dedicated lane. Please note, that there might be a short wait as we undergo necessary security checks.
  • Things to do in London with Kids
  • 36 Hours in London
  • Day Trips from London

churchill tour london

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

You May Also Like

London in the Blitz WWII Tour with St Paul's Cathedral

London in the Blitz WWII Tour with St Paul's Cathedral

Westminster Abbey Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Westminster Abbey Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Roman Remains in London Audio Guide

Roman Remains in London Audio Guide

Book a tour.

  • Our Experts
  • Working with Context
  • View All Cities
  • Sustainable Tourism
  • Refer a Friend for $50
  • Travel Updates
  • Advisor Login
  • Expert Portal

Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • Privacy Statement & Security
  • Cancellation Policy

Our website uses cookies to personalize your experience, perform analytics, and tailor ads. By clicking accept, you consent to our use of cookies. To view our data privacy policy, click here .

Our website uses cookies to personalize your experience, perform analytics, and tailor ads. By using our site, you consent to our use of cookies. To view our data privacy policy, click here .

Life of Churchill and World War II: London Walking Tour with War Rooms

Walks London Churchill Tour Annie 00048

Why take this tour?

  • Explore the network of underground corridors and vaults that make up Churchill's War Rooms on a guided tour. This historic space has remained virtually untouched since the end of the war in 1945.
  • Go behind the scenes of London during WWII at the sites that played a significant role in this tumultuous period of British history.
  • Live like Churchill himself for a morning and explore the streets and shops he once frequented on an insightful walking tour of Mayfair.
  • See mounted cavalrymen at the Horse Guards Parade and pause for reflection at the Cenotaph, the Women of WWII memorial and other war memorials of huge importance to the British people.
  • Sites Visited
  • Churchill War Rooms
  • 10 Downing Street (exterior)
  • Churchill & Roosevelt Allies Sculpture
  • St James Street
  • St James Square
  • Royal Arcade
  • Admiralty Arch
  • Horse Guards Parade
  • Women of World War II Memorial
  • Tour Includes
  • Pre-reserved tickets to Churchill War Rooms
  • Expertly guided tour of War Rooms
  • Small group of 15 guests maximum

This Churchill War Rooms tour unveils wartime London through the eyes of the man who helped lead the Allies to victory.

Total customer reviews: 16, latest reviews.

churchill tour london

Meeting Point

16 New Bond St, Mayfair W1S 3SU. Meet your guide at the Allies statue. They will be holding a Walks sign. 

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.   

You Can Also Experience These Similar Tours

1276 - London Complete Tower 16x9-0004

  • We’re Hiring Guides - Join Us!
  • Press / Media
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Terms Of Use
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Health & Safety
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Affiliate Program
  • Travel Agents
  • City Experiences
  • Devour Tours
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

the tour guy travel blog

How To Visit the Churchill War Rooms in 2024: Tickets, Hours, and Facts

Eddie Saint-Jean Last Updated: October 26, 2023

This top-secret war-time bunker in London was once only accessible to those with the highest security clearance. Now, you too can visit the Churchill War Rooms — the actual site where Winston Churchill operated in WWII. In this guide, we share everything you need to know about how to visit the Churchill War Rooms including how to get tickets, the best tours, what to see, and more.

Pro Tip:  Planning what to do on your trip to London? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our  guide to London  for more planning resources, our  top London tours  for a memorable trip, and the  top things to do in London .

Visiting the Churchill War Rooms: What We’ll Cover

The Churchill War Rooms is where Britain’s greatest Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, led the allied response against Hitler. If you’re interested in WWII, you’ll enjoy exploring the secret underground halls and corridors of the famous War Rooms. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to visit the Churchill War Rooms.

  • Opening hours and tickets
  • How much time to budget for your visit
  • What to see in the Churchill War Rooms
  • Guided tour options
  • Facts and history of the Churchill War Rooms
  • Where to eat nearby

Churchill War Rooms Opening Hours and Tickets

Exterior view of the Chruchill War Rooms entrance in London

Opening Hours:

Open every day, 9:30 am – 6 pm. Last entry 5 pm.

  • Adults (Ages 16-64), £27.25
  • Children (Ages 5-15), £13.60
  • Children under 5, free entry
  • Concessions priced at £24.50 are available for those over 65, students, and the disabled. Free admission for one personal assistant accompanying a disabled person.

Address: Clive Steps, King Charles St.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out the best London tours to take and why .

How Long To Spend at the Churchill War Rooms

Exhibit showing Winston Churchill on the phone in the Churchill War Rooms in London.

Short answer: 2.5 hours

It’s possible to go through the War Rooms and the museum in an hour and a half. But if you want to read every interactive display attentively and study each item closely, it will take around 3 hours and 30 minutes. So, 2 hours and 30 minutes will give you ample time to absorb a considerable amount of info and see all the exhibits at a comfortable pace.

For example, you may want to spend an hour and a half in the Cabinet War Rooms, where Winston Churchill directed the war effort. This is, obviously, a very important section of the bunker. The Churchill Museum will take around an hour. 

Popular London Tours

churchill tour london

Best Selling Tour

Legends and Lore Tour of the Tower of London

How can you explore London’s top attractions without getting overwhelmed? By joining this guided small group tour! With 1,000 years of history and acres of buildings, the Tower of London is easier to explore and understand with the help of your local guide. Best of all, you’ll even see the famous crown jewels and have a boat ride down the River Thames.

churchill tour london

Top Selling Tour

London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard

This is the perfect tour for someone who wants to get to know the real Westminster Abbey. With skip-the-line entry, you get some quiet time in the nave of the abbey with your guide and small group before exploring the tombs of notable kings, queens, philosophers, and more. Depending on the day, you’ll even get to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if London tours are worth it .

What To See in the Churchill War Rooms

Exhibit in the Map Room of the Churchill War Rooms in London.

There’s plenty to see in the secret rooms and corridors of the WWII bunker. Don’t miss these top things to see when you visit the Churchill War Rooms.

  • The Cabinet Room
  • The Churchill Museum
  • The Map Room
  • The Transatlantic Telephone Room
  • Recordings of Churchill’s Famous Speeches 
  • Churchill’s Personal Letters
  • Churchill’s Bedroom
  • Maze of underground corridors

Churchill War Rooms Tour Options

Exhibit of the BBC broadcasting room in the Churchill War Rooms in London

Audio Guides

An audio guide to accompany you on your visit to the Churchill War Rooms is included in your admission ticket. Various languages are available, as well as a family guide or a descriptive guide for visitors with visual impairment.

Churchill War Rooms Private Tours

For anyone interested, the museum offers private “behind-the-glass” tours . An expert guide will give you an exclusive-access tour and deeper insight into this important moment in history. Private tours start at £500 for a group of no more than 10 people.

Facts and History of the Churchill War Room 

churchill tour london

  • The War Rooms were fully operational and ready to receive Churchill, the Cabinet, and British military chiefs on August 27, 1939.
  • The rooms were used 115 times during the war, most often during the Blitz and V-weapon attacks.
  • The rooms are protected by a concrete slab three meters thick.
  • All the typists and switchboard operators were women. They sometimes worked overnight and slept in a basement called The Dock.
  • To stave off health problems caused by the lack of sunlight underground, staff had to strip to their underwear and stand in front of a purpose-built sun lamp.
  • The telephones in the War Rooms were inscribed with warnings about the need for secrecy, particularly when using phones.
  • The War Rooms opened in 1984, and the Churchill Museum opened in 2005.
  • After the Japanese surrender in 1945, the War Rooms were closed on August 16, 1945.
  • Parliament decided to make it a historic site in 1948, and preservation work at the Imperial War Museum began in the 1970s.

Places To Eat Nearby

The War Rooms have their own café, but there are other eateries nearby, some of which have interesting political and royal connections. Here are a few suggestions. For more options, see our article on the best restaurants in London.

Churchill War Rooms Café: £ | Quick Snacks —Homemade sandwiches and sausage rolls, also soups and stews. A selection of hot and cold drinks.

Storey’s Gate Café : ££ | Coffee Shop —This building was originally the home of Edward Storey, who was King Charles II’s Keeper of the King’s Birds. Now it’s a perfectly located cafe selling snacks, sandwiches, paninis, and soups. The breakfast, lunches, juices, and beverages tend toward the healthy and green, so you’ll find the likes of sustainably sourced coffee here.

One Twenty One Two Restaurant : ££££ | Modern European —Situated in Whitehall in Westminster’s political heart. Exquisite fine dining, but fish and chips are also on the menu! 

churchill tour london

Find the best places to stay

Where To Stay in London

Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.

New York skyline with lights coming up from the 9/11 memorial at night.

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Travel Guide
  • In The Press

POLICY & TERMS

  • Cancellation Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

we accept payments

Independent Travel Cats

Savvy Travel Advice

Churchill in London: A Guide to Winston Churchill Sites in London

Last updated: March 2, 2023 - Written by Jessica Norah 26 Comments

Winston Churchill is one of the most well-known British figures of the 20th century, and today it is easy to find traces of Winston Churchill in London. Although Churchill traveled extensively, there is no city more central to his life than London. It was here that he went to school, sat at Parliament, married, lived with his family, served as Prime Minister, coordinated much of the war effort during World War 2, and died.

Although Churchill is best known for his role as Britain’s fearless wartime leader during WWII, he was a well-rounded man who also served in the military, bred race horses, produced over 500 paintings, became an amateur bricklayer, won the Nobel Prize for Literature, and wrote love letters regularly to his wife. Today Winston Churchill remains as intriguing and divisive as he was in life, and London is the best place to learn more about this complex former leader.

We share a comprehensive guide to Winston Churchill sites in London which include the places he lived, worked, married, and went to school. These includes popular Churchill attractions like the Churchill War Rooms and St. Paul’s Cathedral as well as lesser known spots such as Guildhall and Harrow.

We’ll also provide a comprehensive guide to where you can find Churchill statues, artwork, and memorials in London. Finally, we’ll tell you how you eat, sleep, and shop like Churchill in London, from his favorite hotels to his favorite brand of Champagne.

Parliament Square statue Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Table of Contents:

Attractions Related to Winston Churchill in London

Winston Churchill lived a long and active life, so there are hundreds of places associated with Winston Churchill in London. We have narrowed down this list to the places we think are most strongly associated and can (at least sometimes) be visited by the public.

A visit to each place provides a slightly different piece of the puzzle to understanding this significant but complex figure. For each attraction, we provide the address, history, association with Churchill, and tips on visiting.

 In addition to these top Winston Churchill sites in London, we also urge you to add and discover a few of your own! If you are planning to visit places outside of London, also be sure to check out our post about our top suggested  Churchill sites in England .

For general itinerary and planning tips for your time in London, you may want to have a look at our  2 day London itinerary  as well as our more detailed  6 day London itinerary  which includes walking routes. Consider a London Pass to save money on London’s top attractions, including many of our recommended Winston Churchill sites.

The easiest way to get around in London is by walking (if nearby) or using London public transportation such as the Underground (the “Tube”) and bus system. If you plan to use public transportation to travel around London, you may want to consider getting an  Oyster Card .

The map below shows the locations for each of the mentioned main Winston Churchill attractions in London. You can use this to help plan your itinerary. Click   here  or on the map below for a closer look and to see exact locations:

Winston Churchill in London sites map

The Churchill attractions below are roughly listed in order from how far they are from central London (using Trafalgar Square as the center), starting with the most central sites and ending with the sites that are furthest from the center.

National Portrait Gallery

Address:  St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE

The National Portrait Gallery in London was the world’s first portrait gallery in the world, opening in 1856. The gallery houses a large collection of portraits, focusing mainly on important and famous British people, and of course has a large number of paintings, photographs, and busts of Sir Winston Churchill. Several of these form part of the permanent collection so there are almost always Churchill related artwork on display.

To find them, head to the 20th century portrait rooms in the gallery. The museum’s collection also includes a number of portraits of other Churchill’s ancestors, including the 1st Duke of Marlborough, his father, his mother, his wife, and some of his children. 

You can search the museum’s collections online to see what they hold as only a percentage of their holdings are on display at the museum at any time, but much of their collection has been digitized. The museum is free to visit, although donations are greatly appreciated.

Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Churchill War Rooms

Address:  Clive Steps, King Charles Street, Westminster, London SW1A 2AQ

The most informative Churchill site in London is the Churchill War Rooms , which includes the underground war rooms used during World War 2 and a museum about Churchill’s life. This warren of underground rooms was used by Churchill and his war cabinet to direct the war efforts from August 1939 to August 1945. As a visitor, you get to see the famous Map Room as well as rooms where staff handled communications, typed, ate, slept, and cooked.

The Churchill Museum is a large room devoted to Winston Churchill’s life, covering his life from birth to death. It includes a number of Churchill related artifacts from his clothing and cigars to his military uniforms and love letters to Clementine. There is also an interactive table that catalogs thousands of records, letter, diary entries, and film clips chronicling his life.

If you only have time for one Churchill site in London, we would recommend making the Churchill War Rooms your stop. Regular visits to the Churchill War Rooms are self-guided with an audioguide.

This is a busy attraction so we’d recommend arriving near opening time and allowing at least 3 hours here for those who are truly interested in getting the most out of this attraction. The gift shop is probably the best place to purchase Churchill related books and souvenirs in London.  

For those with a great interest in the War Rooms, may want to book a guided tour such as this one with with Take Walks, this one which includes the Houses of Parliament or this one with Context Travel. You can also book a private tour  with museum staff which allows for a behind the ropes experience although it is a bit pricey. 

If you have an interest in Churchill and the London Blitz, we can also personally recommend the  London Churchill War Room tour  by Context Travel (use link above to get 10% off the price of any Context Travel tours) which includes a guided visit to the Churchill War Rooms as well as a walking tour of other sites in London related to the Blitz. Be sure to book any tours in advance of your trip.

Churchill War Rooms Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

St. Margaret’s Church

Address:  St Margaret Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3JX

St. Margaret’s Church , located next door to Westminster Abbey, was founded in the 11th or 12th century and the current church was primarily built between 1486 and 1523. This Anglican church is the site of several happy and significant events in Winston Churchill’s life, including his wedding and VE Day.

On September 12, 1908, Winston Churchill, age 33, and Clementine Hozier were married at St. Margaret’s Church. Churchill would write to his mother from Blenheim Palace the following day: “What a relief to have got that ceremony over! & so happily”. 

Other members of Churchill’s family would also get married at the church, including Churchill’s eldest daughter Diana (to John Milner Bailey in 1932) and Churchill’s youngest daughter Mary (to Christopher Soames in February 1947). 

The church has a strong history of ministering to Members of both Houses of Parliament and is often called the “parish church of the House of Commons”. Churchill would celebrate important Parliamentary events with services at the church, including thanksgiving services following the German surrender in 1918 and the end of fighting in Europe in WWII on VE Day in 1945. 

Visitors are welcome to visit during public opening hours except during mass or events. The church is free to enter. It is located next to Westminster Abbey.

St Margaret's Church Westminster Winston Churchill London

Westminster Abbey

Address :   20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA

Westminster Abbey  is one of the most impressive and important churches in London as it (and its Norman predecessor) has been the site of all English and British royal coronations since William the Conqueror in 1066! It has also been the site of over a dozen royal weddings and hundreds of notable burials.

The most significant Churchill connection is a green marble memorial stone located near the west entrance (near the grave of the Unknown Soldier). Although Churchill is  buried in Bladon , the stone was laid as a memorial in 1965 and unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in September 1965. The inscription notes that the stone was laid to remember Churchill and the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. 

Other World War 2 memorials can be found in The Royal Air Force Chapel which contains the Battle of Britain Memorial Window dedicated to those Royal Air Force pilots and aircrew who died during the Battle of Britain. A Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication on Battle of Britain Sunday takes place at the church each year (the very first service was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral) to mark the victory and loss of life. It is a popular service and tickets are usually needed to attend the service.

There is an admission fee to visit the church, and it is included as part of the London Pass. Self-guide audio tours or guided visits are both offered at the church. This is a popular attraction and I’d leave at least 2 hours to visit here.

If you are looking for a guided tour and also want to visit the Houses of Parliament, you might consider this tour .

Westminster Abbey London

Houses of Parliament

Address:  Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA

The Palace of Westminster , which is home to the Houses of Parliament, is the main government building in the UK. It is perhaps best known to visitors for Elizabeth Tower with its famous bell, Big Ben.

Winston Churchill would serve in Parliament for over 50 years with his public career in politics spanning from 1900 to 1964, serving during the reigns of six British monarchs.  As a Member of Parliament he represented five constituencies over the course of his career. He also held numerous ministerial offices in the cabinet, including First Lord of the Admiralty, Home Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and of course two terms as Prime Minister. His tenure during WWII has made him the most famous wartime Prime Minister in British history.

In January 1965 his body would return here for a lying in state in Westminster Hall for three days. Hundreds of thousands of people would visit to see the coffin and pay their respects before the state funeral took place at St. Paul’s Cathedral on January 30, 1965.

The Houses of Parliament is an active government building so it is not always open to the public, but it is open for guided or self-guided tours on certain dates (usually one day a week). Churchill would have sat most of his time in Parliament within the Victorian House of Commons which was destroyed by an air raid bombing and subsequent fire in 1941.

The current House of Commons was opened in 1950, and the Commons archway entrance was rebuilt at Churchill’s suggestion from stonework of the original arch to symbolize the continuity of the old chamber to the new. Today the arch is known as the Churchill Arch and a large bronze statue of Churchill stands to one side of the arch. Another significant Churchill related spot is the memorial plaque on the floor in Westminster Hall that denotes where his coffin sat during his lying of state.

Both self-guided audio tours and guide-led tours are offered here, and you can even book an afternoon tea here to compliment your tour. UK residents can contact their local MP or a Member of the House of Lords to request and arrange a free tour. 

Be sure to  book a tour ticket online  in advance if you wish to visit! Or you can book a guided walking tour that includes a visit and tour such as  this guided tour of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, or this private tour of the Houses of Parliament and the Churchill War Rooms. 

Houses of Parliament top Winston Churchill sites in England

Buckingham Palace

Address: Buckingham Palace,  Westminster, London SW1A 1AA

Buckingham Palace serves as the primary London workplace and residence for the reigning sovereign of the United Kingdom. It was originally built as a private residence by the Duke of Buckingham (hence the name) in the 16th century, but was later acquired by British royalty and expanded over time.

Winston Churchill lived through and served as a member of Parliament under six British monarchs, from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. He was friends with many members of the royal family and served as Prime Minister under both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

As Prime Minister, we would meet weekly with the reigning monarch normally at Buckingham Palace. He developed a close personal relationship with both of these monarchs, with King George VI during weekly lunch meetings during WW2 and with Queen Elizabeth II as the young queen’s first Prime Minister.

A portion of Queen Elizabeth II’s handwritten letter to Churchill following his resignation as Prime Minister in April of 1955 reads:

“My dear Sir Winston, I need not tell you how deeply I felt your resignation last Tuesday, nor how severely I miss, and shall continue to miss, your advice and encouragement. My confidence in Anthony Eden is complete and I know he will lead the Country on to great achievements, but it would be useless to pretend that either he or any of those successors who may one day follow him in office will ever, for me, be able to hold the place of my first Prime Minister, to whom both my husband and I owe so much and for whose wise guidance during the early years of my reign I shall always be so profoundly grateful.”

It is widely believed that Churchill remained one of Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite Prime Ministers if not her favorite. The Queen offered him a dukedom, which he turned down as he wanted to remain in the House of Commons and did not want to prevent his son or grandson from sitting within the House of Commons.

She would instead knight him as Knight of The Most Noble Order of The Garter , the highest honor she could bestow to him, making him Sir Winston Churchill.

The Queen approved a state funeral for Churchill (one of only a handful ever granted to British non-royals) calling him a “national hero” in her letter to Parliament. She attended Churchill’s funeral service at St. Paul’s Cathedral (her first non-royal funeral as Queen), and she and members of the Royal Family would also attend a number of unveilings of statues and memorials dedicated to Churchill after his death.

Buckingham Palace is closed to the public for much of the year as an active palace, but the public can tour the State Rooms of  Buckingham Palace (book tickets in advance!) for about 8 weeks per year (generally August and September). The audioguide for the tour is very good. However, you can get a good view of the palace from outside the gates year-round.

Depending on the day of your visit (as well as weather and security conditions), you may get a chance to see the Changing of the Queen’s Guard ceremony at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace which usually takes place around 11am. The full ceremony lasts about 45 minutes.

If you are interested in seeing the Changing of the Guard ceremony, check the  schedule online   in advance and show up early to get a good viewing spot. 

Buckingham Palace 6 days in London itinerary

British Pullman Train

Address: Victoria Station, Victoria Street,  London SW1E 5ND

Winston Churchill’s state funeral was an elaborate well-coordinated operation that was codenamed  Operation Hope Not   that began years before his death.   After Churchill’s lying in state at Westminster Hall, procession through London, funeral ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and river transfer aboard the  Havengore , his coffin was transferred to Waterloo Station and placed among a special train. The funeral train took the coffin to Handborough station (now Hanborough ) in Oxfordshire, located near Bladon where he was buried.

Churchill’s funeral took place as the era of steam train travel was coming to an end, and Churchill’s funeral was the last time that a steam locomotive would be involved in a state funeral. The train was pulled by steam locomotive No. 34051 ‘Winston Churchill’ and its train which consisted of five Pullman cars: No. 208, Carina, Lydia, Perseus, and Isle of Thanet and a baggage van S2464, containing the coffin. You can actually watch clips of the funeral and funeral train on YouTube.

Many parts of Churchill’s funeral train still survive today (the locomotive and baggage van are held by the National Railway Museum in York) and some are even still in operation. In London, you can actually ride in Perseus, one of the Pullman carriages, which is currently part of the Belmond British Pullman train . There is a plaque in the carriage that denotes that it was used as part of Churchill’s funeral train in 1965.

The British Pullman train normally departs from Victoria train station for day trips and excursions within England and it is also used for the UK component of the luxurious  Venice Simplon Orient Express train journey. The British Pullman destinations vary, but include steam-hauled journeys and day trips to Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace.

You can request a carriage on the British Pullman although preferences can not be guaranteed. If you would like to ride the British Pullman, be sure to book tickets well in advance as many journeys sell out.

British Pullman train exterior Cygnus

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Address:  St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD

St Paul’s Cathedra l   is an Anglican church in London designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the English Baroque style, and is the seat of the Bishop of London. It is one of the most recognizable and famous churches in London and has served as the site of many famous services and events, including royal weddings, jubilee celebrations, and state funerals.

During World War 2, St. Paul’s Cathedral became a symbol of resilience and resistance as despite heaving bombing by the Germans during the Blitz, the Cathedral famously survived although it was damaged.

Churchill would give orders to the fire brigade to try to protect the church at all costs as he knew how important it was symbolically to the morale of Londoners. There are some amazing photos, particularly  “ St. Paul’s Survives”  by Herbert Mason, of the Cathedral’s recognizable dome peering out from the wreckage of a fiery and smoldering London after nights of severe bombing. After the war, Churchill and Clementine would attend a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 13, 1945 to celebrate VE day.

Probably the event most associated with Churchill is that on January 30, 1965, Winston Churchill’s funeral was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Churchill was given a State Funeral, a significant honor normally only reserved for the monarch, and which had to be approved by both Queen Elizabeth II and the Parliament. Churchill’s funeral service was attended by dignitaries from over 100 countries. 

Winston Churchill would be the last person to given a State Funeral in the UK until Queen Elizabeth II’s own funeral on September 19, 2022. Her funeral took place at Westminster Abbey.

Churchill’s funeral is commemorated in St Paul’s by a bronze memorial plaque designed by John Skelton and set before the choir steps which reads: “The catafalque of Sir Winston Churchill stood here at his state funeral on 30 January 1965”. Currently (as of July 2021), the plaque is not viewable as it is covered by a wooden altar (you can see the altar pictured below).

Then in 2004 a steel and bronze memorial screen was commissioned by the Cathedral Chapter and designed and made by the blacksmith James Horrobin. The Winston Churchill Memorial Screen is currently located in the crypt and is on public display.

Today St. Paul’s is both an active church and a busy tourist attraction. You can visit the church on a self-guided visit with an audioguide or you can join a guided tour of the church. There is an admission fee but entry to the cathedral is included if you have the London Pass .

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a busy tourist attraction so be sure to allow enough time, especially if you want to climb the steps to the dome which can have a long line. Visitors usually spend about 2 hours visiting the church.

Americans may want to visit the American Memorial Chapel at the east end of the cathedral, which commemorates the 28,000 Americans who gave their lives while stationed in the UK during World War II. Check the church hours before visiting as the church is closed to visitors during worship services and special events.

Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Address:  Gresham St, London EC2V 7HH

Guildhall is a building that has been used as a town hall in London for several hundred years, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London and its Corporation. The City of London Corporation is believed to be the world’s oldest continuously elected local government authority. One of the major annual events held at the Guildhall is the Lord Mayor’s Banquet where speeches are given by the Lord Mayor (outgoing and incoming) as well as the Prime Minister.

Churchill would make several appearances and speeches at Guildhall. One of his earliest was in 1914, when he would give a speech after Britain’s first naval victory in World War 1 against the Germans as First Lord of the Admiralty.

In 1940 he would make a speech welcoming back naval British prisoners that had been liberated from the German ship  Altmark . In 1943, he gave a speech at Guildhall after being awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City of London (the city’s highest honor).  In 1955, he would make an appearance and short speech at the unveiling of his statue by sculptor Oscar Nemon saying it was “a very good likeness”.

Today, the Guildhall remains an active city administrative building although most of the day-to-day administration takes place in more modern buildings nearby. Parts of the Guildhall complex date back to the early 15th century although many sections have had to be rebuilt due to fire, wars, and aging over the years. The public can visit parts of the historical building on certain dates and admission is generally free except for certain temporary exhibitions.

Areas within the complex open to the public include the Guildhall Art Gallery and Heritage Gallery (good place to start a visit),  St Lawrence Jewry (church designed by Christopher Wren), The City of London Police Museum,  Guildhall Library, the medieval great hall, and the ruins of London’s Roman amphitheater. 

Within the medieval great hall, you’ll find Churchill’s statue by Nemon as well as memorials to William Pitt the Elder, William Pitt the Younger, Admiral Lord Nelson, and the Duke of Wellington and the carvings of the two legendary giants,  Gog and Magog . 

Due to security and events, you’ll need to go through airport-like security to enter and various galleries and buildings may be closed without notice. Be sure to check City of London website for the opening dates and times before you visit. 

Guildhall Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Madame Tussauds

Address:  Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, London NW1 5LR

Madame Tussauds  is a famous wax museum that has locations around the world, with the London location being its first and most popular one. The museum includes wax works of important historical figures, world leaders, and celebrities from Tudor royalty to current Hollywood film stars.

The museum was started by a French woman named  Marie Tussaud  who traveled around Europe with her wax figure collection until opening a permanent location in 1835.

While most of Britain’s former Prime Ministers are tucked away in storage, Winston Churchill has long been a steady part of the Madame Tussauds cast. His first wax figure debuted in 1908, more than 30 years before he became Prime Minister, and has been remade a number of times throughout this life. If you want to take a selfie with Winston Churchill, this is probably the best place to do it!

On our last visit, there were two Winston Churchill figures on display, both representing him as the Prime Minister during WW2. One in the World Leaders section and one you can see during the Spirit of London ride that takes you through London’s cultural history.

See our complete guide to visiting Madame Tussauds for more information about this popular attraction in London.

Churchill wax figure Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Royal Albert Hall

Address:     Kensington Gore, Kensington, London SW7 2AP

Royal Albert Hall  is a world-class concert hall that first opened in 1871, and was dedicated by Queen Victoria to the memory of her late husband Prince Albert. Price Albert had wanted to build a permanent place for the public to experience entertainment and the arts after the success of the The Great Exhibition .

The venue hosts a variety of events which have included classical concerts, rock bands, Cirque du Soleil performances, and tennis tournaments! It is well-known for being the host to the  BBC Proms  for decades.

Churchill attended balls, speeches, and concerts at the Hall, but he also gave his own speeches here. This article (which also includes some speech transcripts, links, and photos) notes that he is believed to have made 16 appearances at the Royal Albert Hall between 1931 and 1959, including wartime speeches.

One of the most significant was the American Thanksgiving speech on November 23, 1944 where Churchill notes the joint effort by the American and British in the war as the two nations fight together “shedding our blood side by side” to bring a victorious end to WWII. In more recent times, Churchill’s has been included in the  Appearing at the Royal Albert Hall mural  by Sir Peter Blake which you can see near the ticket office at the hall.  

If you are interested in seeing the inside, you can take a guided tour of the Royal Albert Hall. Guided tours include the original carriage entrance, the auditorium, gallery, royal private box, and the private suites of the royal family.

If you’d rather come for a performance, you can book a ticket online or stop by the Ticket Office. The Harrow Churchill Songs have been held at Royal Albert Hall several times, being last held here in November 2017. 

Royal Albert Hall 6 days in London itinerary

Harrow School

Address: Old Speech Room Gallery, 5 High Street, Harrow in the Hill, Middlesex, HA1 3HP

Today Winston Churchill is probably the most well-known former pupil at Harrow, one of the oldest and most prestigious public boarding schools in the UK. Other famous Harrovians include Robert Peel, Lord Palmerston, and Lord Byron.

However, despite his later achievements, Winston Churchill was never a stellar student and he struggled with his school entrance exams, course work, and with following school rules. Poor health also plagued him throughout his school days.

After receiving cruel treatment as a young boy at St George’s School at Ascot (now a girl’s school) and a brief stay at Brunswick School in Brighton (closed in 2009), he entered Harrow School in April 1888 and would board there until 1892. Although initially excited about entering Harrow, he later became more unhappy.

In later years, in his autobiography , Churchill would describe his school days as one of the unhappiest periods of his life. He wrote that although “Harrow was a very good school” he felt himself to be “completely outclassed and left behind at the very beginning of the race”.

It was not only his academic struggles that upset him, but the lack of his parents’ visits and involvement in his life. Before he left for Harrow he had written to his mother:  “You will often be able to come & see me in the summer, it is so near to London and you can drive from Victoria in an hour & 15 minutes or so.” Sadly for Winston, his mother seldom visited him at Harrow and his father only once.

Even during holiday breaks, he was often sent to spend it with other relatives or friends as his parents were often busy with social engagements or were traveling internationally. Luckily, Winston had his dependable nanny Mrs. Everest and younger brother Jack but the longing for his parents is very apparent from his letters home throughout his tenure at Harrow.

At Harrow, Winston Churchill spent much of his formative teenage years, and although he struggled in some areas, he excelled in others such as fencing, singing, history, recitations, and English. Perhaps most significantly he was able to delve into and gain a deep appreciation for the English language here. He notes in his autobiography that because of his low aptitude for Classical languages, he was taught “mere English” and “Thus I got into my bones the essential structure of the ordinary British sentence—which is a noble thing.” No doubt a strong foundation for the immense literary output over his lifetime and books.

Another thing from Harrow that Churchill would take with him was the love for the patriotic Harrow songs and he was known to sing verses to himself throughout his life. He and his family would return to Harrow to hear the Harrow songs on several occasions, and he also returned to give talks such as his famous 1941 “Never Give In” speech . Today these traditional songs are still sung, and each year the “Churchill Songs” are held to honor Churchill.

 Harrow is an active school on private property with high security, but you can still visit the Old Speech Room Gallery on certain dates when it is open to the public. Occupying the room that was formerly the Old Speech Room (used as such until the new Speech Room was completed in 1877), the gallery includes a wide range of art from Egyptian antiquities and ancient Greek vases to Japanese prints and Victorian insect collections.

The gallery also includes objects related to famous former pupils such as Lord Byron and Winston Churchill. Objects related to Churchill include one of his own paintings, a school chair bearing his name, a bust by Willem Verbon, and his flag as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports .

We were lucky to meet the gallery curator, Julia Walton, who manages this impressive and eclectic collection and also shares it with the students. Ms. Walton told us that only a fraction of the collection is on display at any one time and changes regularly so students can see new objects on each visit, although a few displays are permanent and there is always something related to Churchill on display. 

The gallery is normally open to the public about twice a week and you should check hours online. I’d also recommend calling before heading there as it is sometimes closed to the public without notice if there are not enough staff present. 

Although not frequently given, there are occasional public tours of Harrow which include guided visits to the  Fourth Form Room, Old Speech Room Gallery, Speech Room, Museum of Harrow Life, and Vaughan Library. You need to check the tour dates online and book in advance.

Harrow School Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

City of London Cemetery and Crematorium

Address: Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London E12 5DQ

The City of London Cemetery and Crematorium is a large city cemetery located in the eastern part of London within the borough of Newham. Its significance to Winston Churchill is that it is the final resting place of one of the most beloved figures from his early life,  Elizabeth Ann Everest . Mrs. Everest was Winston Churchill’s nanny and began working for the family soon after Winston’s birth until 1893, caring for both Winston and his younger brother Jack.

Neither of the Churchill parents spent a lot of time with their children so both boys spent a lot of time with their nanny who provided the affection and parental guidance they craved but rarely received from their parents.  Winston would refer to her as  her “Woom” and “Woomany” and she was a very important figure for him until her death in 1895.

Churchill wrote in his autobiography,  My Early Life  : “I loved my mother dearly – but at a distance. My nurse was my confidante. Mrs. Everest it was who looked after me and tended all my wants. It was to her I poured out all my many troubles.”

While stationed at Aldershot in July 1895, Winston received a telegram saying that Mrs. Everest was critically ill and he rushed to her side in London. He fetched her a doctor and a nurse and stayed with her as much as he could until she died a couple of days later. He then went to visit his brother Jack at Harrow to tell him about their former nanny’s death so he would not have to hear the bad news via telegram.

He wrote letters to his mother about her death and funeral, which she did not attend, writing “I shall never know such a friend again” and “I feel very low – and find that I never realized how much poor old Woom was to me”. 

Churchill arranged and paid for her funeral, and he later also paid for a gravestone to be erected after her burial. Churchill paid an annual sum for the upkeep of the grave, a practice which has been continued by The Churchill Centre and the Churchill family.

The gravestone reads: “Erected to the memory of Elizabeth Ann Everest, who died on 3rd July 1895 aged 62 years, by Winston Spencer Churchill and John Spencer Churchill.” Her gravestone is located within Plot 81.

To find a grave here, stop at the gatehouse/visitor center or check a plot map before starting your search as this is a huge cemetery! 

Elizabeth Ann Everest grave Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

London’s Military Museums

Location: Multiple locations around London

Churchill’s family has a long history of serving in the military and Churchill, and Churchill also went into the Army to please his father. Although he struggled to pass his entrance exams, he excelled during his training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst . 

On February 20 1895, he entered the cavalry as a second lieutenant in the 4th Hussars  regiment of the British Army. Churchill already knew that he wanted to enter politics so he used his time in the military to further his education by reading, to make political connections, and to try to stand out as a cavalry officer. 

Between 1895 and the end of World War 1 in 1918, Churchill would serve off and on as an Army officer in Cuba, India, Sudan, South Africa, England, France, and Belgium. Churchill began writing about the wars and military battles to earn extra money and at times his role as military officer and war journalist become blurry.

His most famous war-related exploit occurred in 1899 during the Second Boer War when he was captured as a prisoner of war, placed in a camp, and then later successfully escaped across the border. He had been captured when on assignment as a journalist, but returned to South Africa as a lieutenant in the South African Light Horse regiment to join the war in a fighting capacity.

Later in life he held a number of honorary military appointments, especially during WWII, which included Honorary Air Commodore in the Auxiliary Air Force and Regimental Colonel of the 4th Hussars.

Churchill’s greatest contribution the British military probably came off the battlefield. In addition to two terms as Prime Minister, Churchill served in a number of Parliament positions which involved  overseeing military operations including Minister of Defence (twice), First Lord of the Admiralty (twice), Minister of Munitions during WW1, Secretary of State for Air, and Secretary of State for War. Some of his credits include contributing to the invention of the tank, advocating for the use of airplanes for war purposes (Churchill loved aviation and took flying lessons), and leading the country throughout WWII.

During his life, Churchill would also write a number of essays and books (most of which received positive reviews) related to wars, including  The Story of the Malakand Field Force: An Episode of Frontier War (colonial British India) ,  The River War   (description of the Anglo-Egyptian invasion of Sudan),  London to Ladysmith via Pretoria (first months of Second Boer War and his capture),  Ian Hamilton’s March (later part of Second Boer War), The World Crisis (multi-volume account about World War 1), and The Second World War (multi-volume account about WW2).

London is home to a number of the UK’s top military museums. In addition to the Churchill War Rooms (see earlier description), there is also the Imperial War Museum , HMS Belfast , Royal Air Force Museum , National Army Museum , The Bentley Priory Museum , and National Maritime Museum . We’ve visited all of them and each is worth visiting, depending on your interests.

Some of these museums, including the National Army Museum and Royal Air Force Museum, include information or memorabilia related to Churchill among their exhibits and all have WWII related information. The Bentley Priory Museum tells of the important connection between a historic home and the Battle of Britain. The HMS Belfast played a significant role in WWII and is one of the few surviving bombardment vessels from D-Day that helped clear the Normandy beaches.

Most of the military-related museums in London are free to visit (donations appreciated) with the exception of the The Bentley Priory Museum and  HMS Belfast  (entry included with the London Pass). For more information and even more museums, see our comprehensive guide to London’s military museums .

HMS Belfast Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

London’s Military Memorials

Location: Multiple locations with London

In addition to military museums, London is also home to a number of the UK’s most important military and war memorials. Like most of his generation and the next generation (The Lost Generation) Churchill served in the military and lost a number of his close friends and colleagues in the many conflicts that took place during his lifetime.

Even a privileged background could not protect many of Churchill’s contemporaries from the casualties of serving in India (mostly from disease), the Boer War, and the First World War. According to this article , more than half of Churchill’s Harrow classmates would be dead from one cause or another by the end of 1945. 

The Cenotaph in Whitehall, not far from 10 Downing Street, was originally erected as a temporary memorial to those who died during WW1, but has since been designated as the UK’s official national war memorial. A memorial service is held here on Remembrance Sunday each year.

The Battle of Britain Memorial is one of the memorials to WWII, and here you’ll find Winston Churchill’s quote along one side: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”. The Royal Air Force Bomber Command Memorial , located in Green Park, is beautiful memorial dedicated to the 55,573 aircrew who lost their lives during WWII.  The Royal Artillery Boer War Memorial is one of the few memorials dedicated to those who were killed during the Second Boer War. 

Check out this article to learn more about more of the many  military memorials in London . 

Cenotaph Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Memorials, Paintings, & Statues of Churchill in London

It is not difficult to find a statue, painting, bust, or depiction of Winston Churchill in London. But it is almost impossible to make a fully comprehensive list of them all, as there are likely over 100 of them and the list changes over time. We’ve done our best to compile a list, almost all of which we have personally visited.

One of the artists most associated with Churchill is sculptor Oscar Nemon who is known to have produced over a dozen busts and statues of Winston Churchill. Nemon was one artist who developed a close relationship with Churchill and whose work Churchill admired.

However, Churchill didn’t always like artistic depictions of himself, with the most infamous example being the story of the Graham Sutherland painting . The full-length painting was  commissioned as a gift for Churchill’s 80th birthday by members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

The Sutherland painting was intended to hang in the Palace of Westminster after his death. Churchill and his wife hated it although Churchill was obliged to accept the gift and said in his acceptance speech that it was “a remarkable example of modern art”. It was stored away at Chartwell, never put on public display, and after Churchill’s death it was destroyed as part of Clementine’s wishes by loyal secretary Grace Hamblin and her brother!

A few of the most well-known statues of Churchill are the large statue by Ivor Roberts-Jones located in Parliament Square, the seated statue of Churchill in Guildhall, the Allies statue (along with U.S President Franklin D. Roosevelt) in Mayfair, and the standing statue by Oscar Nemon near the entrance to the House of Commons.

The National Portrait Gallery and the Churchill War Rooms both have a number of pieces of artwork (e.g., paintings, busts, photographs) that include Churchill. Other popular depictions include the mural at Royal Albert Hall, the face of the astrological clock at Bracken House, his waxwork figures at Madame Tussauds, and street art depictions.

Churchill wax figure Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Winston Churchill Statues & Busts in London

There are a number of Winston Churchill busts and statues in London, and chances are you will naturally run into one or two of them, and many are in or near the recommended London attractions already mentioned. Churchill is one of the most commemorated figures in London although Queen Victoria has him beat. In fact, Queen Victoria has probably the most statues of any person in the entire UK—we’re always running into her statues! 

Many of Churchill’s statues were erected after his death as it typical, but several were actually made and unveiled during his lifetime. In fact, he attended the unveilings of some of them.

The most famous statue of Churchill is the one in Parliament Square and if you take the time to only visit one, that would probably be the one to see and since it is outdoors it can be visited at any time. Churchill knew that a statue of himself would likely be erected in this space some day as he was one of the people who helped with the redesigning of the square during his final term as Prime Minister in 1950. The unveiling ceremony of this statue in 1973 included four generations of the Churchill family including Clementine, Queen Elizabeth II and other royalty, then Prime Minister Edward Heath, and four past Prime Ministers! 

  • Churchill statue at Parliament Square – One of the most famous and well-known statues of Winston Churchill faces the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames on the northeast corner of the square. The 12 foot tall bronze statue depicting Churchill with a military overcoat and walking stick was made by sculptor Ivor Roberts-Jones , and it was unveiled in 1973 by Lady Churchill in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Churchill statue within the Houses of Parliament – A bronze statue of Churchill by Oscar Nemon stands near the Churchill Arch within the Members’ Lobby. Statue was unveiled by Lady Churchill in 1969.
  • Allies statue in Mayfair – This popular statue group by Lawrence Holofcener includes Winston Churchill and American President Franklin D. Roosevelt sitting on a bench together. It sits outdoors on New Bond Street (popular shopping street) in Mayfair, and there is space to join them on the bench for a photo-op. Unveiled by Princess Margaret in 1995. 
  • Churchill marble bust at Windsor Castle – A white marble bust by Oscar Nemon is on display at Windsor Castle, typically in the Queen’s Guard Chamber. It was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.
  • Churchill statue & bust at the Hyatt Regency – The Churchill – The hotel displays both a life-sized bronze statue by sculptor Lawrence Holofcener and a bust of Churchill by Franta Belsky.
  • Winston Churchill bust in Wanstead – There is a bronze bust of Churchill by Luigi Fironi along the High Street in front of the building that had been the constituency’s conservative club (now The Manor House pub). Churchill was a MP for Epping and later Woodford from 1924 to 1964 and used the club to work from between 1930 to 1940. The bust was unveiled in 1968 by Bob Mitchell, then Chairman of West Essex Conservative Association. 
  • Churchill statue in Woodford Green – A large Churchill statue by David McFall was erected in Woodford Green in 1959 to honor his service as MP for Woodford from 1945 to 1964. It was unveiled by Winston Churchill. 
  • Churchill statue at Guildhall – A large seated statue of Winston Churchill by Oscar Nemon sits in the medieval Great Hall. It was unveiled in June 1955 by Churchill himself, who said “….it seems to be such a very good likeness…”
  • Churchill bust at Harrow School – Harrow’s collection has at least one bust of Churchill, its most famous former pupil. A bust by Willem Adolf  Verbon is typically on display in the Old Speech Room Art Gallery
  • Churchill bust at Churchill War Rooms – There is a bronze bust by Oscar Nemon on display at the Churchill War Rooms. The Churchill War Rooms also include other busts and casts of Churchill on display.
  • Churchill bust at National Portrait Gallery – Among their many Winston Churchill holdings, they have a Oscar Nemon bronze bust (1995 replica) that is often on public display. 
  • Churchill bust at Imperial War Museum – The Imperial War Museum holds a bronze bust by Jacob Epstein in their collection although it is not always on display. It is however currently on display at the time of writing (and has been since 2014). It was commissioned by the War Artists Advisory Committee and first exhibited in 1947.

There are other Churchill statues and busts held in private collections or places that are not (or not typically) available for public viewing. For example:

  • Churchill bust at the Royal College of Defence Studies (part of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom) – A bronze bust was created by Margarita Hernandez and unveiled in 2005. The statue is a dedication to Churchill as the college was formed based on a cabinet committed headed by Churchill in 1922, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, which felt that an organization was needed to help train officials and officers in defense and leadership skills.

Guildhall statue Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Churchill Murals, Paintings, & Street Art 

It is difficult to know the whereabouts of all the paintings of Churchill in London, but the best place to go is undoubtedly the National Portrait Gallery which usually has several on display. There are also a couple of good mosaic depictions and you can almost always find Churchill in a street art mural or two at any time in London.

  • Paintings at National Portrait Gallery – The museums holds a large number of paintings of Winston Churchill and some are almost always on public display.
  • Painting at Churchill War Rooms – The museum collection holds a number of paintings and photographs of Churchill and a few are always on display. An interesting one is a 1878 painting of Churchill at age 4 with curly reddish ringlets!
  • Mural at Royal Albert Hall – Not far from the box office of Royal Albert Hall is a wall mural called  Appearing at the Royal Albert Hall  (2014) by Sir Peter Blake which includes Winston Churchill. The mural was added in 2014.
  • Marble mosaic in National Gallery  – Near the entrance inside the gallery you’ll find a series of marble mosaics by Russian artist Boris Anrep on the floor. One mosaic, called Modern Virtues  (1952) includes a number of famous people representing different virtues with Winston Churchill representing Defiance.
  • Winston Churchill mural along Park Street in Croyden by American artist David Holier that depicts his face made up of words from his iconic speeches.
  • “Victorious Churchill” mural that includes two depictions of Churchill during WW2 by London street artist Paul Don Smith on a wall near Brick Lane in Shoreditch.

Many museums and clubs hold paintings or other artworks related to Churchill in their collections but they are not part of their permanent collections. For example:

  • Tate Britain – The Tate Collection includes a few pieces related to Churchill, including a modern print by Thomas Kilpper, a painting by Winston Churchill (he gifted it in 1955 for an exhibition), and photographs of Churchill. However, these are not usually on public display.
  • The National Liberal Club – The club displays a painting of Winston Churchill by Ernest Townsend but the club is only open to members.

painting Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Churchill Plaques 

There are a number of plaques dedicated to Winston Churchill in London. Here are some of the more significant ones:

  • Memorial plaque in Westminster Abbey – A memorial stone was placed in the floor of Westminster Abbey in 1965 to remember both Churchill and the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The stone was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II. 
  • Memorial plaque & screen at St. Paul’s Cathedral – Churchill’s funeral at St. Paul’s on January 30, 1965 is remembered here with a bronze memorial plaque set into the floor near the choir steps. There is also a steel and bronze memorial screen located in the crypt that was designed by blacksmith James Horrobin in 2004.  
  • St. Mary Aldermanbury  garden plaque – St. Mary Aldermanbury church once stood where the garden is today, first destroyed by the Great Fire of London and later by bombs during The Blitz. The remaining stones of the building were taken to Fulton, Missouri  and the church was rebuilt as a memorial to Winston Churchill. A memorial plaque is located in the garden today denoting this. This little garden also contains a bust of Shakespeare.
  • At least two English Heritage blue plaques   are located outside of Churchill’s former residences: 2 Connaught Place and 28 Hyde Park Gate.
  • Several other plaques (not English Heritage) can be found denoting former residences, places he spent the night, and places he gave speeches. You can find many of these via the Open Plaques website.

blue plaque Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Other Depictions & Memorabilia related to Winston Churchill

There are some more unusual Winston Churchill depictions out there. Here are some of our suggestions:

  • Bracken House   Astrological Clock (10 Cannon Street, London EC4M) – Perhaps the most unusual depiction of Winston Churchill is his face depicted within a sunburst as part of an astrological clock above the building entrance on Cannon Street. The building was the headquarters for the Financial Times when built, then owned by Churchill’s supporter and friend Brendan Bracken. 
  • Wax figures at Madame Tussauds – Winston Churchill has long been a staple figure at Madame Tussauds in London. There were two of Churchill’s figures on display during our most recent visit.
  • The Churchill War Rooms include a wax figure of Churchill as well as a variety of Churchill memorabilia include souvenir dolls, busts, and toys. One interesting novelty doll is “The Smoking Statesman” which has a hole for the mouth that a person can insert small imitation cigars! 
  • Various Churchill memorabilia at the floral covered  The Churchill Arms pub which includes a bust, newspaper clippings, a painting, prints, photographs, dolls, and other knickknacks.
  • Various Churchill memorabilia at The Freddie Fox Museum within the James J. Fox store in London which includes photographs, prints, a doll, and souvenir busts.
  • £5 Bank of England note – If you live outside the UK, be sure to take a look at your money while in the UK. The latest £5 notes have a picture of Churchill on one side with the quote “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat”. It makes for a good value souvenir.

Bracken House Astrological Clock Winston Churchill London England

Winston Churchill’s Past Residences

Winston Churchill was certainly not a person who lived in the same place for too long! His parents had planned for him to be born in their home at 48 Charles Street in London, but he was born unexpectedly at Blenheim Palace on November 30, 1874.

Churchill’s early years were spent mainly in London and Dublin, and his time in Ireland is among his earliest memories. He entered his first boarding school in England at age 7 and he lived in a variety of boarding schools and family homes until adulthood.

After his marriage, he and Clementine lived in a number of residences in London, some they leased, some were provided to them by the government as an official residence, some were shared with family, and some were borrowed temporary residences. They also lived in hotels for short periods when between residences. Outside of London, over their lifetime they lived or spent significant periods of time in at least a dozen more residences, country homes, and holiday villas.

Today the best place to visit to get a sense of what Churchill’s home life was like is to take a day trip to Chartwell in Kent (about 1 hour, 20 minute drive). It is the only former residence, thanks to the Churchills and the National Trust, that has remained pretty much as it was during his lifetime. It is was one of Churchill’s favorite places, and is the only residence open to the public.

But you can also see the exteriors of many of the places that Churchill lived while in London and a few have been marked with a plaque denoting his residence. 

Here are several of the places he lived while in London (in order in which he lived there): 

  • 48 Charles Street – The place intended to be Winston Churchill’s birthplace. His first home.
  • 2 Connaught Place – This flat was leased by Churchill’s father from 1882 to 1892. The structure appears to have been significantly remodeled since the Victorian era. There is an English Heritage Blue Plaque on the exterior.
  • 105 Mount Street – This was Churchill’s first bachelor flat in London from 1900 to 1905.
  • 12 Bolton Street – Leased by Churchill from 1905 to 1909, this was his home when he married Clementine.  
  • 33 Eccleston Square – First house purchased by the Churchills together after their marriage. Their first two children were born here—Diana in 1909 and Randolph in 1911. There is a blue plaque located here.
  • Admiralty House   – This was Churchill’s official residence during his time serving as First Lord of the Admiralty for two terms. Now used for other government purposes.
  • 11 Downing Street – This was Churchill’s official residence as the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1924 to 1929. Next door to the Prime Minister’s residence, you can normally only see the door through a guarded gate.
  • 10 Downing Street – Official residence during his two terms as Prime Minister from 1940-145 and 1951 to 1955. He also spent some time living in Number Ten Annexe. This remains the home of the Prime Minister, and you can normally see the building from afar through a guarded gate. The door that was on the residence during Churchill’s tenure is on display at the Churchill War Rooms.
  • 28 Hyde Park Gate – Churchill’s final London home, and the place of his death on January 24, 1965. There is an English Heritage Blue Plaque on the exterior.

former home Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

If you are interested in a more complete list of Churchill’s homes and more information about them I recommend getting the book Churchill and Chartwell: The Untold Story of Churchill’s Houses and Gardens by Stefan Buczacki. The book provides a comprehensive list and in-depth look at Churchill residences, holiday homes, and short-term accommodation throughout this life with a special focus on Chartwell. 

Winston Churchill Tours in London

If you are looking for a guided walking tour or day trip from London, there are several that focus on Churchill, World War 2, or his former homes.

Walking Tours in London

Here are several walking tours that may be of interest to those wanting to learn more about Churchill:

  • This 4 hour tour with Take Walks focuses on Churchill and World War 2, and includes the Churchill War Rooms
  • This 2.5 hour walking tour of Westminster includes several Churchill related attractions plus tickets to visit the Churchill War Rooms.
  • This private 4 to 5 hour tour around London has taken many of the places from our Churchill London guide and turned them into a walking tour, which includes stops at Churchill’s homes, statues, favorite shops, and other important points of interest. Includes entry tickets to the Churchill War Rooms.
  • This guided tour  by Take Walks includes a tour of both the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, two places connected to Churchill.
  • This 3 hour  small group walking tour includes a guided visited to the Churchill War Rooms and visits to other places related to the London Blitz. U se our link to get 10% off the price of this tour.
  • This walking tour around London takes you around St. James and Westminster to see sites connected to Churchill’s life. Includes an entrance ticket to the Churchill War Rooms.
  • This private tour includes a guided visit to both the Houses of Parliament and the Churchill War Rooms
  • This 2 hour walking tour includes WW2 related history and entry to the Churchill War Rooms.

London Day Trip Tours

The two best day trips related to Churchill are to Chartwell House and Blenheim Palace. Here are some options:

  • A private guided tour  to visit Chartwell, Churchill’s country residence, from London with transport.
  • A guided full day trip to visit Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds villages from London.
  • This well-rated private half day guided tour includes private transport to Blenheim Palace from London.
  • This guided 3 day tour (can base in London) focuses on Winston Churchill’s life and achievements, and includes time exploring London, Oxfordshire (including visits to Bleinheim Palace and Bladon) and Kent (including visits to Chartwell House).

Blenheim Palace top Winston Churchill sites in England

Shopping, Sleeping, & Dining like Churchill in London

Churchill spent much of his life in London and frequented a number of shops, hotels, clubs, and restaurants throughout the city. Many of these businesses still survive and we’ll provide a list of some of the places he dined, ate, visited, and shopped (or well his staff did anyway!). You can visit some of these places today and in some cases buy the same items.

Note that although most London businesses’ claims that Churchill was a patron are usually true, some of the ascribed quotes and anecdotes are unsubstantiated.

Places to Shop like Churchill in London

Churchill developed very defined (and often expensive) tastes, and was a man who knew what he liked when it came to things like food, drinks, clothes, toiletries, pens, cars, and cigars. Many of these preferences are well-known today such as his love of Pol Roger champagne, siren suits from Turnbull & Asser, Johnnie Walker Scotch, fine silk undergarments, and Romeo y Julieta cigars. 

If you want to really learn about which stores Churchill patronized, his pastimes, and favorite brands, I’d get a copy of the book  Churchill Style by Barry Singer.

Like his mother, one of Churchill’s flaws was that he was not good at saving money and his fine tastes often left his finances in a poor state. Clementine would help reign him in a bit, but he would always lead an expensive lifestyle. He would sometimes be forced to economize by smoking cheap American-made cigars or closing off areas of Chartwell.

Although Churchill had preferred shops, he would usually patronize a few different shops for the same items (e.g., cigars, shirts). This strategy enabled him to extend his credit as far as he could with each shop over a longer period of time. If you are interested in learning about Churchill’s spending and financial life, I’d check out No More Champagne: Churchill and his Money by David Lough.  

Many of the stores that Churchill patronized are still operating today. Many are also royal warrant holders, meaning they supply items to the royal household. If you are looking to just generally head to the type of stores Churchill would have frequented, head to Saville Row and Jermyn Street and wander around the Mayfair area. This area is home to some of London’s oldest and most prestigious stores.

Here are some shops & brands that you can still find in London today:

  • Breguet (10 New Bond Street) – Churchill was a long time customer of the Swiss watchmaker, famously wearing a Breguet pocket watch N°765 which was nicknamed “The Turnip”. The watch was originally made in 1890 for John Spencer-Churchill, the 7th Duke of Marlborough, and has been in the Churchill family ever since.
  • E. Tautz  (71 Duke Street) – The brand was once associated with bespoke menswear, particularly military and sporting wear but now the store sells men’s ready-to-wear clothing and accessories.  In 1895 Winston Churchill would place his first order here which would include his military uniforms.
  • Fortum & Mason  ( 42 Jermyn Street) – The department store which was founded in 1707 was a general go-to place for the Churchills in London for a variety of items which included boots, household items, and food. Today they are best known for their well-stocked food hall, housewares, and restaurants. Churchill loved picnics, and you can purchase a F&M hamper to have your own picnic in one of London’s parks.
  • Harrods  (87-135 Brompton Road) – This famous department store once sold just about everything and it was here that Churchill used to order his pets, fish, and livestock for Chartwell! In fact, you could buy elephants, lions, and other exotic animal prior to the 1976 Endangered Species Act. Today you can buy clothes, accessories, food, souvenirs, and housewares here and dine in the store’s restaurants.
  • James J Fox   (19 St James’s Street) –   Known as Robert Lewis Tobacconist in Churchill’s time, it is one of the stores that supplied Churchill’s cigars. Although Churchill is most associated with Romeo y Julieta Cuban cigars, he is also known to have smoked a number of other Cuban brands including La Corona, Comacho, and even budget American Royal Derby Longfellows cigars. Churchill is so closely associated with cigars, that many brands (many of which he never smoked) have his name on some of their labels. The store also has a sampling lounge and a museum area that includes some Churchill memorabilia. 
  • Lock & Co. –  A bespoke hatter in London that made the silk top hat which Churchill wore on his wedding day. Churchill usually wore a hat when he was outdoors with the Homburg hat being the style he wore most often, but he would wear all kinds of hats during his lifetime. Locke & Co. purchased Scott & Co which had also made a number of hats for Winston Churchill.
  • Henry Poole & Co . (15 Saville Row) – Well-known bespoke tailor shop that is crediting with making the first smoking jacket/tuxedo. Churchill was a longtime customer here and would place a number of clothing orders here, which included hats, suits, and formal wear. According to the shop’s records, Churchill still has an outstanding balance of £197 here!
  • Paxton & Whitfield   ( 93 Jermyn Street) – A leading cheesemonger in London, and one of the places the Churchills would order cheese. Two of Churchill’s favorite cheese were Stilton and Gruyère.
  • Pol Roger champagne – Churchill loved champagne and his favorite brand of champagne was Pol Roger. Churchill became friends with Odette Pol-Roger and even named one of his racehorses Pol Roger. Champagne Pol Roger would later create a Prestige Cuvée in homage to Sir Winston Churchill in 1984. The Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill continues to be the winery’s most prestigious champagne. You can buy the champagne in locations worldwide or have a glass in number of places in London including the Churchill Arms pub and The Savoy hotel bar.
  • Swaine Adeney Brigg   (7 Piccadilly Arcade) – The company sells a variety of British handcrafted luxury goods and accessories which include canes, umbrellas, riding gear, and luggage. Churchill purchased Brigg canes and umbrellas back when it was called Thomas Brigg & Sons.
  • Turnbull & Asser  (72 Jermyn Street)  – If you are looking for bespoke tailor-made clothing, this is a great shop to visit. The store created custom clothing for Churchill included shirts, dotted bow ties, and most famously he had them make several siren suits (“rompers” as he called them). They have a photo, one of his shirt patterns, and even one of his siren suits on display in the store.
  • Books – Churchill spent a lot of money on books. He felt that he missed out on a university education so he bought a lot of books to be well-read and self-educated on subjects he thought were important. He frequented several book sellers including Hatchard’s  (187 Piccadilly) and  Sotheran’s (2-5 Sackville Street). 
  • Fragrances – Churchill is known to have worn a number of colognes including  Blenheim Bouquet  which was created by   Penhaligon’s  (41 Wellington Street) in 1902 for the Duke of Marlborough, Special No. 127 which was created in 1890 for Russia’s Grand Duke Orloff  Floris of London  (89 Jermyn Street), and Tabaróme Millésime which was created for Winston Churchill in 1920  by Creed (99 Mount Street). 
  • Other accessories. Many stores have left London or gone out of business, but some of the brands Churchill loved are still available online. For instance you can still buy Dent watches ( Dent also made the Parliament’s Great Clock, Big Ben), C.W. Dixey & Sons eyeglasses (including replicas of Churchill’s designs), and  Onoto pens   online. The shop, C. Robertson & Co , that Churchill purchased his art supplies is still operating but is currently only taking trade orders.

Turnbull & Asser Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Where to Dine & Drink like Winston Churchill in London

Churchill is well known for his indulgent tastes, and he seemed to have an almost endless capacity for food and drink.  Some of the foods he loved included clear soups, turtle soup, roast beef,  sole champeaux , tournedos montpensier , Indian curries, Yorkshire pudding, Stilton and Gruyère cheeses, and ice cream. Among his dislikes were cream soups, sauerkraut, Chinese food, marmalade, and mixed cocktails, and he generally preferred simple cooking to complex dishes.

Churchill is probably better known for what he drank rather than what he ate. He loved Champagne (Pol Roger in particular) and a glass of watered down Scotch (often Johnnie Walker Red) was never far away. Meals were usually served with claret and followed with brandy (such as Hine Cognac).

Those interested in what Churchill ate might want to check out the collection of over 300 recipes in   Churchill’s Cookbook   by Georgina Landemare. Landemare was married to the French chef at the Ritz and she did her “war work” by becoming Churchill’s personal chef during WW2 at Downing Street. Another book about Churchill and his dining habits is Dinner with Churchill: Policy-making at the Dinner Table by Cita Stelzer. 

Breakfast was normally taken in bed alone while he started his work for the day. Although Churchill often dined privately at home (or a friend’s home), he also regularly took meals at a club or in a hotel restaurant in London. He was also known to stop off for drinks at a pub or hotel bar.

We’ve compiled a list of restaurants that he ate at as well as some that have a Churchill connection. 

  • Blighty Cafe   (35-37 Blackstock Road, London N4 2JF) – Churchill never ate here but this popular and colorful little breakfast restaurant in Finsbury Park is decorated with a Churchill and World War 2 theme. It’s traditional English breakfast called The Winston was recently voted the best full English in the UK. They also have lighter and vegetarian breakfast options available. 
  • The Churchill Arms (119 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 7LN) This classic Kensington pub known for its beautifully decorated flower-festooned exterior dates back to 1750 and was frequented by Winston Churchill’s grandparents. The name was changed after World War 2 to pay homage to Churchill although I am not sure he ever visited. The pub has lots of Churchill related memorabilia, offers Pol Roger champagne, and its restaurant serves Thai food. 
  • The Churchill Bar & Terrace  (30 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 7BH)- Churchill never drank at this hotel bar but it includes Churchill inspired furnishings and artwork. The bar serves some of Churchill’s favorite drinks, offers a wide cigar selection, and has an outdoor heated terrace.
  • The Clarence (53 Whitehall , London SW1A 2HP )  – This pub is is located near Whitehall and is a convenient watering hole for government workers. Churchill is said to have visited here as Prime Minster and there are mementos on the wall as well as decor references (e.g., bulldogs and bowler hats) in the pub. Located only a 10 minute walk from Downing Street, it is a convenient stop for those exploring Westminster.
  • Claridge’s  (Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR) – Winston Churchill was known to have eaten at Claridge’s on numerous occasions and Churchill held a dinner celebration for his son Randolph’s 21st birthday here. The bar serves Pol Roger champagne.
  • Donovan Bar at Brown’s  (Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4BP) – Churchill is said to have drunk here, and today the cocktail bar at the Donovan Bar includes a Churchill martini.
  • The Manor House   ( 129 High Street Wanstead ,  London E11 2RL)  – Churchill never ate at this pub but he did spend time in this building as it was the former Conservative Party Headquarters for the area that Churchill was a longtime Member of Parliament. This pub/restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner or you can stop in for a beer or coffee. There is a painting of Churchill inside the restaurant and a bust of Churchill stands near the terrace.   
  • The Red Lion (48 Parliament Street, London, SW1A 2NH )  – This pub is is located in the heart of Westminster, and like The Clarence, is conveniently located near Downing Street and Whitehall. The pub claims to have served every British Prime Minister, including Winston Churchill, up until Edward Heath. Serves traditional pub food, plus is open for breakfast.
  • The Ritz Restaurant  (150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR) – Churchill attended meetings and ate dinners here, and Randolph Churchill held his father’s 60th birthday dinner and party at the Ritz in 1934.
  • The Savoy Grill  (Strand, London WC2R 0EU) – One of London’s oldest high-end restaurants, Churchill often dined at The Savoy. The hotel was also where his political dining club  The Other Club met biweekly. Visitors may also want to check out one of the Savoy bars as former Savoy barman, Joe Gilmore, created at least three cocktails for Churchill, The Blenheim, the Four Score, and the Churchill. The Savoy serves Pol Roger champagne.

Churchill Arms pub Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Clubs associated with Winston Churchill

Like most prominent London men of his era, Churchill belonged to a gentlemen’s club. In fact, he belonged to several clubs, often holding a number of memberships simultaneously. Some were political clubs, some were focused on a particular interest (e.g., automobiles), and some were dining clubs or societies. Later in life, he was made an honorary member of even more clubs.

Although Churchill belonged to a number of clubs, it is generally thought that he did not spend a particularly large amount of time in any of them, but used them for meals, meetings, and the occasional place to write.

Surprisingly many are still operating although they are not open to members of the general public. Although most began as men-only clubs most are now open to women members and guests. As a nonmember, you can visit as a guest of an existing member, by invitation, or as a member of a reciprocal club elsewhere in the world. The clubs all have spaces for general socializing, working, meetings, events, meals, and most offer overnight accommodation.

A few do allow non-members to visit with an appointment to use their libraries or archives, and some may open their door to the public on an Open Doors day. Otherwise, you can walk by and view the exteriors of these buildings, all of which are well-located in central London. Many are next door to one another.

Here is a list (likely partial) of the clubs he belonged to over his lifetime:

  • The Bachelors’ Club of London – This was Churchill’s first known club membership when he was a young bachelor, club is now defunct.
  • Buck’s (18 Clifford Street) – A more modern club founded after World War 1 that attracted younger members.
  • The Royal Automobile Club (89 Pall Mall) – Club for automobile enthusiasts.
  • Carlton Club   ( 69 St. James’s Street, London SW1A 1PJ) – Club for members of the Conservative Party – Churchill was a twice a member her, resigning after he left the party to join the Liberal party and rejoining in 1926.
  • The Reform Club  (104 Pall Mall) – The club was initially formed by Liberal political figures although now has no political party affiliation. Churchill was a member here and he resigned when a friend of his was blackballed from joining. The club is most famous internationally as the club of the fictional Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days . 
  • The National Liberal Club  (1 Whitehall Place) – Club founded by William Gladstone and associated with Liberal politics. Churchill was once a member here and a portrait of him hangs in the club.
  • Whitefriars Club  (no fixed address) – A exclusive dining club that meets weekly that was started by a group of journalists and writers, but today includes people from a range of professions and backgrounds. Churchill was a part of it as a young journalist.
  • The Other Club  (normally met at the Savoy) – A political dining club founded by Winston Churchill and F. E. Smith in 1911 as a cross-party alternative to other dining clubs at the time. It’s biweekly meetings are held at The Savoy.
  • Boodles   (28 St James’s Street) – This is the second oldest gentlemen’s club in London and Churchill was made an honorary member of this historic club. Ian Fleming was a member of Boodles and it is believed to be the inspiration for James Bond’s fictional Blades.

Reform Club Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Where to Stay like Winston Churchill in London

Winston Churchill loved to dine and stay in the best hotels, so it is not surprising that all the hotels on this list are in the 5-star luxury category. They are also all located in central London.

If you are seeking a less expensive lodging option in London, you can book a meal, afternoon tea, or have a drink at these hotels. He dined, attended meetings, and stayed at several hotels in London. He and Clementine also lived in hotels for short periods between residences, especially during his time out of political office.

Here are our picks for the best places to stay like Winston Churchill in London:

  • Brown’s (Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4BP) – This historic 5-star hotel, one of London’s oldest, first opened in 1837. I could not find any evidence that Churchill spent the night at Brown’s but he is known to have stopped in to drink here. 
  • Claridge’s (Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR) – This 5-star luxury hotel is another one of London’s oldest hotels. Churchill is known to have stayed here. In 1945, he and Clementine stayed here temporarily after his election defeat.
  • The Goring Hotel (15 Beeston Pl, Westminster, London SW1W 0JW) – Churchill probably first visited in 1919 when his mother Lady Randolph Churchill lived at the hotel for a period. He would later stay as a guest and used it as a place to stay between residences in the 1930’s. 
  • Hyatt Regency – The Churchill  (30 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 7BH) – Winston Churchill never stayed in this hotel and it fact it was not opened until 1970. However, it is named after Churchill and its decor and furnishings are inspired by Churchill. The hotel displays a bronze statue of Churchill, artwork from Chartwell, and Churchill memorabilia.
  • The Ritz London  (150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR) – Churchill stayed at The Ritz at least a couple of times, and he worked on his memoirs from The Ritz in early 1923. 
  • The Savoy  (Strand, London WC2R 0EU) – Churchill often ate and met people at The Savoy, and it is best known as the place where his political dining club The Other Club met biweekly. I am not sure whether or not Churchill ever slept here but the hotel has a Churchill Suite that is inspired by its namesake.

For more general hotel recommendations in London, see our guide to where to stay in London .

The Savoy hotel Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

Winston Churchill Resources

Churchill was a dominant figure in life and remains an intriguing figure today. Even though he died over 50 years ago, interest in Churchill and evidence of his legacy remains strong.

In the last few years, Winston Churchill has been portrayed on a number of popular TV shows and major films, and new biographies are published about him each year. Even the placement of a bust of Churchill in the White House even sparked a number of recent news stories about concerning Presidents Obama and Trump.

As in life, he remains controversial and divisive with many revering him as one of the world’s greatest leaders and some believing he was simply a selfish and racist warmonger (see  this recent  debate that took place at a literature festival in Jaipur, India).  One thing most agree on is that he was a complex and passionate man who left a definite mark on the world. 

There is a mountain of information out there about Churchill for those who are interested in learning more, from radio clips to books to films. Many of these served as sources for information in this post, notably the books  Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert, My Early Life by Winston Churchill, and Churchill Style by Barry Singer. There are also several great online resources I have found, many of which I have also used to research information about Churchill, with a special shoutout to the International Churchill Society website and the BBC archives.

If you are interested in learning more, we’ve put together a selection of resources. These can be great to read or watch prior to a trip to London, to reinforce what you learned about Churchill in London, or to just brush up on your 20th century British history!

Books by Winston Churchill:

Winston Churchill was a man of many words who loved the English language. He is probably best remembered as a gifted and powerful speaker, known for his wit and ability to make an impact. These speeches were particularly important as Prime Minister during World War 2.

He also wrote a number of books and hundreds of articles during his lifetime. He started writing to earn money to support his expensive tastes, and would continue to write for a number of reasons which included money, a need to share his perspective, to set the records straight (in his own mind anyway), to shape history, to keep himself occupied when he was not politically active, and because he enjoyed it. In 1953 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

You can find a list of his works here .

Here are several of his most notable works (in order of publication): 

  • Lord Randolph Churchill (1906) – A 2-part biography of his father. 
  • The World Crisis (1923-1931) – A 6-volume account of the World War 1 from Churchill’s perspective. Believed by some of his biographers to be his greatest literary work.
  • My Early Life (1930) – Churchill’s own account of his life from birth to 1929, the best source of information about Churchill’s early years.
  • Marlborough: His Life and Times (1933-38) –  A four-volume biography about Churchill’s ancestor John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Churchill saw parallels between himself and the Duke and once told a friend that if he could go back to any time period, he’d go back to this one.
  • The Second World War (1948-53) – A six-volume account of World War 2. It was one of the earliest published detailed accounts of World War 2 and Churchill had access to information not available to other historians at the time, not to mention his own personal experience and knowledge. There are notable pieces of information missing as Churchill was not able to reveal secret intelligence in his book such as code breaking and the planning of the atomic bomb. This work is also noteworthy as being the only written first-hand account by any of the major world leaders in WW2.
  • Painting as a Pastime (1948) – One of Churchill’s shortest works that discusses how he started painting, its influence on him, and his encouragement to others. Churchill has influenced a lot of people to take up painting as a hobby later in life, including American presidents Dwight Eisenhower and George W. Bush (see his Portraits of Courage book).
  • A History of the English-Speaking Peoples (1956-58) – A 4-volume history of Britain and the former British Empire, covering the period from the Gallic Wars to the beginning of World War 1.

Books about Winston Churchill:

To say that a lot has been written about Winston Churchill would be an enormous understatement. Churchill’s official biography is the longest biography ever written!

The first biography was written by Alexander MacCallum Scott in 1905, 35 years before he would become Prime Minister. Scott concluded the following about Churchill who at the time had only been serving in Parliament for 4 years: “No one who has studied impartially the varied career and achievements of this young man can doubt that he was born to greatness” (p. 264). 

The proliferation of books about Churchill and enduring interest in him is astonishing. Early biographies focus primarily on his time as a wartime leader and were mostly very positive in their outlook. More recent books about Churchill have provided more complex views of Churchill as a person. A few have chosen to focus on his more negative qualities and flaws such as his Victorian imperialistic attitudes and racist views towards Indians.

There are also a large number of books focused on a particular aspect of Churchill such as his popular quotes, his love letters to Clementine, his sense of style, his relationship with King George VI, and his paintings.

There are hundreds of Churchill books to choose from but below is a range which includes many of the most popular biographies:

  • Churchill by Ashley Jackson (2011) – A well-rounded medium-length biography of Churchill. 
  • Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert (1991) – Gilbert was an official biographer for Winston Churchill, and this is a separate and much shorter version of that biography with the addition of new material. If you want a thorough well-researched biography without reading the 8-volume one, I’d choose this one. This the place I turn first for Churchill information.
  • Churchill and Chartwell: The Untold Story of Churchill’s Houses and Gardens by Stefan Buczacki – The book provides an in-depth look at Churchill residences, holiday homes, and short-term accommodation throughout this life with a focus on Chartwell. 
  • Churchill and the Jews: A Lifelong Friendship   (2007) by Martin Gilbert – The book examines Churchill’s relationship with Jewish people and issues, from his personal relationships to political actions.
  • Churchill: A Study in Greatness by Geoffrey Best  (2003) – Another popular shorter biography about Churchill that covers his life from birth to death. 
  • Churchill the Unexpected Hero   (2005) by Paul Addison – One of the shorter biographies about Churchill from a British historian who wrote a number of books about Churchill.
  • Churchill’s Secret War:  The British Empire and the Ravaging of India during World War II   (2010)  by Madhusree Mukerjee – This book written by an Indian American journalist focuses on Churchill’s prejudice towards the Indian people and his role in the Famine of Bengal and other India-centric events.
  • Churchill Style by Barry Singer (2012) – This book discusses Churchill’s life in relation to his tastes, styles, purchasing habits, pastimes, and personal relationships. Definitely not a biography but a great way to learn about Churchill’s tastes and hobbies.
  • Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill by Sonia Purnell (2017) – Most people know very little about Churchill’s wife and this well-reviewed biography tells Clementine Churchill’s story. 
  • The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, 1874 – 1965 by William Manchester and Paul Reid (1983-2012) A popular 3 volume biography series that covers the life of Winston Churchill from birth to death. 
  • Secrets of Churchill’s War Rooms ( 2017) by Jonathan Asbury – This book goes in-depth about the Churchill War Rooms and what it was like to work there. It including more than 300 photographs and lots of first-hand accounts.
  • Sir Winston Churchill: His Life and His Paintings  (2005) by David Combs – Winston Churchill would paint over 500 paintings during his lifetime, and this book tells his story through his paintings.
  • Winston and Clementine: The Personal Letters of the Churchills  by Mary Soames (2011) – The Churchill’s youngest daughter Mary tells the personal story of the couple through the use of their letters to each over during their 56 years of marriage.
  • Winston S. Churchill 8-volume Official Biography  (1966-1988) by Randolph Churchill and Martin Gilbert – Begun before Churchill died and with companion volumes still ongoing this is one of the largest biographies every written. If you REALLY want to delve into Churchill the 8-volume set is a good investment and you can get the companion volumes for additional information.
  • Winston’s War: Churchill, 1940-1945  by  Max Hastings (2010) – This book written by a military historian focuses on the wartime years. Note this is the same book titled  Finest Years: Churchill as Warlord, 1940–45 (the book has different USA and UK titles).

Winston Churchill books biography

Here are some websites we have found to be useful about Winston Churchill:

  • BBC – The BBC has excellent archival data related to Churchill, included news stories, audio clips, and video clips. You can listen to some of his wartime speeches and watch video clips of his funeral.
  • Churchill College, Cambridge – The university has a large collection of Churchill’s papers, and the archives contain over 1 million papers and records. Some information has been digitized and is available online.  
  • Hillsdale College – The Churchill Project at this college aims to promote an understanding of Churchill and his legacy. The college’s press is the publisher of the official Churchill biography. The website includes information about the biography, resources, an online store, and online articles.
  • Imperial War Museums – The Imperial War Museums is a group of museums which include the Imperial War Museum and the Churchill War Rooms. The overall museum collection is one of the best resources on British conflicts from WW1 to the current day. The website provides information about its collection and resources.  
  • International Churchill Society – A website full of Winston Churchill history, resources, and current news. The website regularly posts about new books, films, anniversaries, and exhibitions related to Churchill. You can also join as either a free or paid member to receive extras. There are also country specific organizations.
  • Museum Syndicate – A virtual museum website where you can view a number of Winston Churchill’s paintings.
  • National Churchill Museum – The National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri is the best museum about Churchill in the United States, and their website contains a lot of information and resources.

Films & TV Shows about Winston Churchill

If you are looking for some movies or TV shows to watch that include Churchill, there are a lot of choices! I’ve seen all those listed, so feel free to ask if looking for a particular suggestion. Here is a partial list: 

  • Churchill – A 2017 British historical drama film that focuses on Churchill’s life and events just prior to the Normandy beach landings in 1944. Churchill is played by Brian Cox. Worth watching as the acting is good, but it is a bit slow and we didn’t really feel the film did the events justice and some of the details about Churchill and the war are inaccurate.
  • The Churchills – This interesting 2012 3-part British TV documentary presents a biography of both John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough and Winston Churchill. Historian David Starkey points out the similarities between these two men and how he believes that working on the Duke’s biography influenced Churchill’s actions before and during World War 2. 
  • Churchill: The Finest Hours – A 1964 documentary about Winston Churchill that uses a lot of old news clips and footage to piece together his life and career, from birth to the end of his life. It is narrated by Orson Welles.
  • Churchill: The Wilderness Years – A  1981 British 8-part TV drama serial showing based on Churchill’s life from 1929 to 1939, the years when he spent most of his time without a political position in the “political wilderness”. Historical Martin Gilbert, one of Churchill’s official biographers, was one of the co-writers so it doesn’t stray too far from the facts while still being entertaining.
  • The Crown – A current American-British TV drama series on Netflix that follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her family. Winston Churchill features heavily in several episodes in Season 1 and it depicts the end of his second term as Prime Minister. Great drama for anyone interested in the current Royal family.
  • Darkest Hour – This 2017 drama film focuses on Winston Churchill’s first month in office as Prime Minister during May 1940. The film is particularly noteworthy for the performance by Gary Oldman as Churchill, although some scenes are purely fictional (e.g., Tube ride). Some scenes were filmed at the Houses of Parliament (can see on tour) and the Buckingham Palace scenes were filmed at Wentworth Woodhouse .
  • The Gathering Storm   – A 2002 TV film focused on Churchill in the 1930’s while he was in the “political wilderness” as he struggles with not having an influential role in politics and warns the world about the dangers of Adolf Hitler and Britain’s appeasement policy. It was produced by the BBC and HBO and Churchill is played by Albert Finney.
  • Into the Storm – The biographical 2009 TV film shows Churchill’s role in World War 2 but has a particular focus on the end of the war and the end of his time as Prime Minister. It is a loose sequel to The Gathering Storm but with a completely different cast. Churchill is played by Brendan Gleeson.
  • Young Winston – One of the few films to focus on Winston Churchill’s childhood and early years before he became a well-known political figure. The 1972 film fairly closely follows Churchill’s autobiography.

film poster Winston Churchill in London sites attractions England UK

So there is our guide to finding Winston Churchill in London!  We hope that you found this helpful whether you are just trying to find the best Winston Churchill site in London or you are an avid admirer who wants to cram as many Winston Churchill attractions as possible into your London itinerary. Check out our other London articles to help you further plan your trip.

This is a comprehensive guide to Winston Churchill sites in London, England, UK. It covers Churchill related museums, attractions, statues, memorials, restaurants, hotels, and more! It also includes maps, tips, and resources to help you find Winston Churchill in London and have a great trip! #WinstonChurchill #London #Churchill #England #travel

Which of these Winston Churchill attractions do you want to visit on your next trip to London? Have you visited any or have another favorite Churchill site to suggest?  If so, we welcome your comments and suggestions! If you have any questions about Winston Churchill in London or traveling in the city, just leave us a comment below and we’ll try to help!

Share this Post!

There are 26 comments on this post.

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

Marc David Miller Post author

April 4, 2020 at 12:32 am

This is incredible! I am someone who considers himself to be an amateur historian, I even ran a company that did historic tours to Moscow (we had one client who was too obsessed with Stalin, and I found Zora Zubina, an interpreter at the Yalta Conference, for him to dine with), and I have read everything about Churchill, and spent probably 20 hours total in the Cabinet War Rooms. You have put together something far better than any specialty travel guide that I have ever seen.

One omission: Churchill lived at 11 Morpeth Mansions. The actual entrance was in The Wilderness Years (I think in the last episode).

Again thank you for this awesome resource.

Marc David Miller, Washington DC

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

April 4, 2020 at 4:27 am

Glad you enjoyed our Churchill article and thanks for taking the time to let us know. Sounds like you ran some really interesting historical tours in Russia!

Churchill moved around a lot in London. And yes, you are correct, he did indeed live at Morpeth Mansions before becoming Prime Minister and lived there for most of the 1930’s.

For those reading who want to walk by, there is a small plaque there that says he and Clementine lived there that you see on the building along Morpeth Terrace. They lived in a flat along the top two floors of the building. I believe that Lloyd George’s mistress (and second wife) and Stalin’s daughter also once lived in that same apartment, so it’s definitely been home to a few notable people.

We don’t list all of Churchill’s residences, but Buczaki’s book goes into great detail about the many places he lived (and stayed as a guest), including the Morpeth Mansions flat in London. It is a great book for those looking for more details about his many homes as well as hotels he stayed at, friends’ home he stayed at or rented, and places he went on vacation.

Best, Jessica

Rob+Ann Post author

January 10, 2018 at 7:00 am

That is quite the list! Fitting for such an large figure in world history. We’ve read about the Churchill War Rooms, and that is certainly on our list of historical sights we want to visit in London. Blenheim also looks fantastic, but now we’re interested in seeing his home in Kent, too. We’ve pinned this for future reference – can’t wait to put our boots on the ground and start visiting some of these sites!

January 10, 2018 at 7:33 am

Hi Rob & Ann, Yes, there are certainly a lot of places associated with Churchill in London, but also elsewhere in the UK. You can read our England guide to Churchill sites which gives more information about Blenheim and Chartwell,both also great places to visit. Chartwell in particular is a good place to get a more personal insight into Churchill, his family life, and how he lived. Best, Jessica

Bill Haddon Post author

January 7, 2018 at 5:01 pm

I have many of the audio files from BBC recordings of some of Sir Winston’s famous WWII speeches. For me the most interesting fact in your document is that Winston Churchill had won the Nobel Prize for literature.. While in Rochester NY for Christmas holidays we saw “Darkest Hour” and I enjoyed it immensely. I guess some of the movie was filmed in the underground war room that you describe. Gary Oldman’s portrayal was excellent.. The earlier 2017 movie “Churchill” was, apparently, not so well received..

I’m just finishing Wade Davis’ ‘Into the Silence” and wondering if a London tour of items involving George Mallory’s Everest attempts would be of interest. There must be huge numbers of original photos on display, and perhaps Capt. John Noel’s movie “The Epic of Everest” which includes footage from the 1924 expedition.

January 8, 2018 at 3:29 am

Hi Bill!! Yes, those BBC audio and film files of Churchill are really interesting, I have been listening to some lately as well as some other interviews the BBC did after his death with people who knew him (Eden, Attlee, Lady Astor, his children) to help with this post. I am glad to hear you got to see Darkest Hour – us here in the UK have to wait until later this week before it comes out in the cinema, but looking forward to seeing it next week here in Edinburgh 😉 I personally did not care too much for Churchill, worth watching but not one of the best. I personally really like the 8-part miniseries with Robert Hardy about his Wilderness Years – really gives you a good sense of Churchill I think.

Yes, Churchill won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1953 for “for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values”, he was also the first person ever given an honorary United States citizenship (under President Kennedy).

I don’t really know much about George Mallory and not sure how much there is to see in London, but I will be on the look out when we next go to London. The book sounds interesting, I know it has good reviews – will have to put it on the reading list!

Bryna Post author

January 7, 2018 at 11:14 am

So many spots with links to Churchill in London. This has must taken forever to put together – great job on this extensive list! I love hearing stories about people who went on to do amazing things even though they may not have excelled in a school environment. Although education is important, it’s obviously not everything!

January 8, 2018 at 3:14 am

Hi Bryna, Haha, yes, this post did take a lot of research and time to put together 😉 I learned a lot about Churchill and London in doing so though. I think Winston Churchill is a good example of someone who did not have any advanced education (he went into Army training right after school) but still was able to rise to the height of his profession (as well as the country!). In his case, he did a lot of self-education (reading, gathering info from smart people) and was very persistent – persistence is so important in anything really and he didn’t let failure dissuade him from moving forward. Jessica

Dorothy Post author

January 7, 2018 at 4:30 am

I have a great deal of respect for Winston Churchill. When we visited London, we toured the Churchill War Rooms where we learned how they lived underground though the shelter did not offer that much protection. You have to give them credit for putting their country before themselves.

January 7, 2018 at 6:36 am

Hi Dorothy, Yes, indeed, although the underground rooms were definitely safer than the above ground government offices and 10 Downing Street, it is believed that they may not have sustained direct bombing. Luckily that never happened! Churchill was lucky to live to 90 as the man survived childhood accidents and illnesses, battlefields, being taken as a POW, a plane crash, being hit by a car, nearby bombings, and a series of strokes! Jessica

Katherine Post author

January 6, 2018 at 12:22 pm

Awesome post for British (and I guess World) history buffs! I took my brother to the Churchill War Rooms when he visited me in London about 10 years ago. He’s into politics (I am decidedly not) but I still found the war rooms really interesting!

January 6, 2018 at 11:40 pm

Hi Katherine, Yes, I agree, the Churchill War Rooms are fantastic, even if you are not a huge fan of politics or history! Best, Jessica

Wendy Maes Post author

January 6, 2018 at 7:59 am

I saw many historic building in the countryside where Winston Churchill lived. I love him for his quotes. One of the funniest: I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly. Thanks for making me smile!

January 6, 2018 at 11:37 pm

Hi Wendy, My guess is that you saw Chartwell, which was Churchill’s country home in Kent. There is also Blenheim Palace although he never lived there, visited often though. He also lived in a couple of other country homes but Chartwell was his pride and joy and is maintained today by the National Trust and is open to the public for visits. Churchill did have some very interesting quotes, and that which is believed to have been possibly said to British politician Bessie Braddock, has a long history . Glad the article made you smile! Best, Jessica

Lolo Post author

January 6, 2018 at 1:35 am

I find him to be so fascinating and have thoroughly enjoyed some of the recent movies which have come out about him, and looking forward to The Darkest Hour! Every time I went to England, I wanted to visit the War Rooms but never managed it! This is really quite the extensive list, and quite ambitious for a visit but I’ve pinned it nonetheless! Hope to do some of this next time! Happy New Year!

January 6, 2018 at 6:44 am

Hi Lolo, Yes, I think the Darkest Hour and The Crown have generated a lot of interest among people who probably knew very little about Churchill before watching the film. We are excited to see it as well (comes out next week here in UK). I hope you get a chance to visit the Churchill War Rooms on your next visit to London, it is a fascinating place and I’d leave at least 2.5 hours to have enough time. Yes, this guide is not intended for a one time visit (you would need to probably spend a week visiting all these places, we have visited them over many visits!) but hopefully it will help people choose Churchill related attractions that are a good fit for them. Thanks for pinning! Best, Jessica

Esther Post author

January 5, 2018 at 11:51 pm

Wow, what a great and extensive guide. I have always held a fascination for Churchill. He was a brilliant statesman during WWII, held is country together and was an amazing partner within the allied forces, After the war he struggled a great deal as prime minister and I am always more than amazed that he kept it all up, even though he often suffered severe depressions. Thank you for your guide!

January 6, 2018 at 6:38 am

Hi Esther, Yes, Churchill did so much and along his career he was often very forward thinking (his accurate perceptions and warnings about Hitler being what he is best known for today) but he was also often wrong (e.g., India, abdication crisis) – but he pursued what he believed in with such determination and passion. He did suffer from bouts of depression and although he had some great successes (being PM, WWII, Nobel Prize), he also had a lot of failures and unhappy events (e.g. death of his young daughter, election losses, huge sums lost in stock market crash). Hope this guide can help on a future trip to London 😉 Best, Jessica

Shirley Connor Post author

January 5, 2018 at 6:17 pm

Wow, this is such an amazing resource for anyone wanting to visit places associated with Winston Churchill in London! Just reading your article over the past article over a cup of coffee, I felt I was visiting some of these places and have learned so much about Churchill that I never knew. Will bookmark this for when we visit London later this year for the first time, I am a great admirer or Churchill as is my husband. If you only were in London for a day or two, which of these would you suggest? Thanks again! Best, Shirley

January 5, 2018 at 6:48 pm

Hi Shirley, Glad you found our article helpful and thanks for taking the time to comment! In terms of which places to visit if you just had a day (or two), I think it will depend a lot on your particular interests. I would definitely visit the Churchill War Rooms, it is a top attraction in London, and the best place to learn about Winston Churchill in London. The Parliament, Parliament Square statue, St. Margaret’s Church, and Westminster Abbey are all next to each other so you could easily do those plus the Churchill War Rooms in one day. Check the Parliament opening times and tour schedule in advance, you do have to have an advanced reservation to visit.

If you are fan of palaces and visiting in August/September, I’d recommend booking a Buckingham Palace tour. Other places like the National Portrait Gallery and St. Paul’s Cathedral are great central London attractions and there are tons of good military museums (most of which have free entry) in London if those are of interest. The Savoy was one of Churchill’s favorite places to dine and both the Churchill Arms pub and the Hyatt Regency The Churchill have some of the best Churchill themed decor. Hope that helps and feel to reach out further as you plan your London trip!

Anda Post author

January 5, 2018 at 4:48 pm

It must be pretty interesting to see all these Churchill sites in London. Personally don’t have much consideration for Churchill. He was quite a great figure in the political arena of the 20th century, but unfortunately he played a very negative role in the fate of Eastern Europe at the end of WWII. It was Churchill who proposed the agreement under which the UK and USSR will divide Europe into spheres of influence (the Yalta Accord). And it was also Churchill who suggested that the Soviets should have 90% influence in Romania, the country in which I was born! Ultimately, it was Churchill who, with the stroke of a pen, sacrificed the freedom of millions of people. So you see, indirectly he decided my fate as well. I often wondered what would my life had been like if I had the chance of being born in a free country.

January 5, 2018 at 5:32 pm

Hi Anda, Yes, the Churchill sites are really interesting places to visit in London. Churchill was certainly an influential leader and as you can attest a complex and divisive figure who means different things to different people all over the world! He also certainly made a lot of mistakes and had many flaws.

I don’t want to get into a deep discussion, but you are correct in that Churchill (and Roosevelt) did agree that Russia could have the influence in Romania. I won’t say he fought to protect Romania from the Soviets (he didn’t) but in reality he had almost no real influence on what Russia did in Romania or any of the other Eastern European countries. Churchill hated Communism (seeing is as no better than Nazi facism) and had no love for Stalin (especially after he broke his promises at Yalta), and his personal wish would have been that Russia would have had no influence on Romania or any other place. The Yalta agreement stated that people in each country would have the right to choose their own government but we know that in reality that this did not happen in Soviet influenced countries. But Russia at that point held the greater bargaining power not the British, and there was little the other world leaders could do as the Russian troops were already in many of these areas. It would have taken another war to stop Russia who never abided by the post-war agreements anyway. The people who had real influence in Romania during and after WW2 was the Romanian Prime Minister (a strong Nazi ally executed for war crimes) and then the Soviet leaders. This article may be of interest to you. Travel is so much pleasant to discuss than war & politics!! 😉 Jessica

Anisa Post author

January 5, 2018 at 1:21 pm

We are planning on seeing the movie so maybe that will get me to go to the Churchill War Rooms. He really is an interesting figure so I am excited to learn more about him and visit more of the places related to him.

January 5, 2018 at 6:09 pm

Hi Anisa, Yes we are excited to see Darkest Hour too, it already has lots of Oscar buzz and hoping it is good as some of the reviews suggest. We saw Churchill last year and were not super impressed. The Churchill War Rooms are a fascinating place, both for the Churchill information and to see how the British Cabinet operated during WW2! Hope you get a chance to visit on your next trip to London. Best, Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

January 5, 2018 at 6:36 am

With the new movie out about Churchill, my family is having a bit of renewed interest in him. It is interesting to see how he touched so many of the famous sites, but even more fun to hear about places I’ve never heard of. Even if you weren’t interested in Churchill, it would be fun to visit all the eateries! The reading list gives me some ideas for my husband’s upcoming birthday!

January 5, 2018 at 10:53 am

Hi Seana, Yes, I became fascinated by Winston Churchill a year or so ago and have been reading a lot about him. It is fascinating how many TV shows and films just in the past year ( The Crown , Season 1, Churchill , Darkest Hour ) have focused on Churchill and this time period ( Dunkirk ). Yes, I think all of these attractions (except maybe the statues and such) are definitely worth visiting even without any interest in Churchill. If your husband is a fan of Churchill, I think you could easily plan a great trip to London of Churchill related sites! If you do decide to go and have any questions, just shout!! Best, Jessica

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of replies to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips

We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store the data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.

Brit Icon Tours

Winston Churchill Tour of London

churchill tour london

Step into Winston Churchill’s London and follow in the footsteps of one of Britain’s most famous politicians and leaders on our Winston Churchill tour of London.  Churchill is perhaps the most iconic British personality of all time, and on this tour, you’ll learn about his personal life and how his career propelled him to Number 10 Downing Street.

Tour Highlights

  • Ask your guide anything as you wander around Winston’s Westminster
  • Pose for a photo by Winston Churchill’s statue
  • See where Winston Churchill’s funeral was held
  • Find out about Winston Churchill’s link with the Dukes of Marlborough
  • Learn about Winston Churchill’s career within the Admiralty

What’s Included

  • 2-hour walking tour of London’s Westminster area
  • Led by an expert guide
  • Convenient tour starting point at Westminster Underground Station

What’s Excluded

  • Food & drink
  • British Sign Language interpreter not included

What To Bring

  • Consider layers of clothing
  • Comfortable shoes for a leisurely walking tour

Good To Know

  • English language tour
  • Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour
  • This guided tour is not accessible for wheelchair users or for parents with prams or buggies
  • Adults who are 18 years and older must accompany anyone who is 17 years or younger on all tours

This private 2-hour walking tour starts in Westminster, where you’ll head straight over to the Palace of Westminster to hear about Winston Churchill’s life as an MP, where he led the war effort and his struggles during the nation’s darkest hour. You will have an opportunity to have your photo taken with his statue in Parliament Square and see the church where Churchill married his darling Clemmie in 1908.

As part of the Winston Churchill tour of London, you’ll pass the spot where he made his victory speech to the national and the club where he regularly dined with Lady Violet Bonham Carter – who incidentally was the actress Helena Bonham Carter’s granny!

Winston Churchill was a keen painter; thus, the tour includes a brief visit (subject to availability) to see his portrait in the National Portrait Gallery.

Of course, no Winston Churchill walks around Westminster would be complete without a stop by the entrance to Downing Street, where you can see if you can spot the police officer standing outside number 10.

The tour finishes outside Churchill’s War Rooms , where Winston Churchill spent his war years. Here you can independently visit the subterranean location where Churchill awaited and planned for a threatened 1940 invasion by the mighty German army.

Please note that this tour is private, so when you book, you will have your own guide and not share the tour with anyone else

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

  • The tour is not suitable for a wheelchair due to the pavements and uneven surfaces on the route. British Sign Language is not provided on the tour.

Do children need to be accompanied?

  • All people under 18 (i.e. 17 years old and younger) must be accompanied by an adult (aged 18 years or over) on all tour

Is the tour suitable for children?

  • There are some adult themes discussed on tour so it as the discretion of parents

winston-churchill-tour-london-600-1-statue

Take a look at our TripAdvisor page or leave us a review. We love hearing from you!

Related tours.

Ian-fleming-tour-london-400-1

Ian Fleming Tour of London

Ian-fleming-tour-london-400-1

London Underground Walking Tour

London-underground-tube-tour-400-1

Do you have any questions or wish to get in touch?

churchill tour london

  • Tours of London
  • Tours of Liverpool
  • Tours of Bath
  • Gift Cards / Vouchers
  • Redeem a Gift Voucher
  • Meet Our Team
  • Tour Guide Jobs
  • Travel Trade
  • Affiliate Program

INFORMATION

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Media Gallery
  • Brit Tours Ltd 7 Bell Yard London WC2A 2JR United Kingdom Company Reg. 07059230

churchill tour london

ARE YOU IN?

London: Westminster WW2 Tour & Churchill’s War Rooms Ticket

churchill tour london

About the activity

Learn about life in London during World War II on a shared group or private tour of Westminster and Churchill’s War Rooms. See the original wartime bunker that sheltered Winston Churchill and his government during the London blitz.

  • Free cancellation Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
  • Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets Receive your ticket right away. Use your phone or print your voucher.
  • Live guiding English
  • Duration 2.5 hours
  • English-speaking guide
  • Group or private tour (depending on option selected)
  • Entry ticket and reservation fee for Churchill's War Rooms
  • Audio guide in the Churchill's War Rooms
  • Guided walking tour of Westminster Area
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Westminster Abbey visit
  • Explore London's maze of underground rooms that served as bunkers in World War II
  • See the secret war rooms of Winston Churchill
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Westminster's war sites
  • Learn about the governments and monarchs of Europe forced into exile in London
  • Discover the life and legacy of Churchill and his special relationship with Roosevelt

Description

Explore the World War II history of London’s Westminster district and discover the secret bunker that Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his government used during the German bombing campaigns. Home to undercover and often underground bases for governments in exile, Westminster suffered especially badly during the blitz and was awash with espionage. Your unique tour starts with a walk around some of London’s most historic sites, such as 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. End at the Cenotaph, built as a memorial to the First World War and now the UK’s primary national war memorial. Along the way, see the statue of Sir Winston Churchill and the monument to the Women of World War II, hear about governments and monarchs that were forced into exile in London as Germany overtook the nations of Europe and more. Then, it’s time to head to the wartime bunker of the Churchill War Rooms. Tour the Churchill Museum and learn about the maze of underground rooms that were used to plot and plan war strategies. Although your guide will not accompany you inside, you'll be able to browse the War Rooms at your leisure and hear fascinating facts from your audio guide as you wander round. Experience what life was like for those that worked in the dark rooms and how they deciphered enemy communications and created maps of the army’s movements. Learn about the primitive sun lamps that were used to get sufficient levels of vitamin D and how even the families of those that worked there couldn't know what they did for a living. Explore the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill and hear authentic audio of his inspiring wartime speeches. Discover fascinating stories about Churchill’s private and public life, from his love of his wife to his special relationship with President Roosevelt. You’ll even see the original door to 10 Downing Street that he walked through after becoming prime minister. The war rooms have been preserved exactly as they were on the day the lights were switched off in 1945, with signs that indicated the weather outside. As you venture deeper into the labyrinth, discover how life continued underground, from top-secret conversations between Churchill and Roosevelt in the Transatlantic Telephone Room, to simple domestic concerns in Churchill’s kitchen.

Reviews & Ratings

Top 5 similar activities in london.

London: Jack the Ripper Small Group Tour

London: Jack the Ripper Small Group Tour

Prepare to be gripped by the chilling tales of Jack the Ripper's reign of terror. Our Jack the Ripper Tour will transport you back to the sinister streets of Victorian London, where the mystery and intrigue of this infamous killer await.

  • 2 hours • Guiding available • Available today

London: The Great British Rock and Roll Music Walking Tour

London: The Great British Rock and Roll Music Walking Tour

Walk in the footsteps of rock and roll royalty on a music walking tour in London. Visit the locations where rock and roll legends played, recorded, performed, drank, caused trouble and hung out.

  • 2 hours • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

Visit 4 iconic pubs in London's famous Soho area on a guided walking tour. See where legends such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe, and more all hung out.

  • 2.5 hours • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

London: Jack the Ripper 2-Hour Evening Walking Tour

London: Jack the Ripper 2-Hour Evening Walking Tour

Travel back in time to the murderous streets of London’s Victorian past. Enter the secret, boozy world of violence and prostitution menaced by the infamous Jack the Ripper and learn about London's dark history on an evening walking tour.

East London: Street Art Tour & Spray Painting Session

East London: Street Art Tour & Spray Painting Session

Join us for the Original and best Street Art Tour of East London. Then create your own spray-paint masterpiece at our purpose built workshop with your local artist guide.

  • 3 hours • Guiding available • Available from March 11, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Prices & booking.

  • Adult 15-99 years { clearTimeout(timer); timer = setTimeout(function(){ window.livewire.find('RHEolL7Qm90ZeDCAH4Xq').emit('personChanged', value, 'adult'); }, 1000) })"> 0 ? 1 : 0" class="relative -mr-10 inline-flex justify-center items-center w-10 h-10 rounded-full bg-white text-gray-900 text-sm hover:text-gray-500 focus:z-10 focus:outline-none focus:shadow-outline-blue active:bg-gray-100 active:text-gray-700 transition">
  • Children 4-14 years { clearTimeout(timer); timer = setTimeout(function(){ window.livewire.find('RHEolL7Qm90ZeDCAH4Xq').emit('personChanged', value, 'child'); }, 1000) })"> 0 ? 1 : 0" class="relative -mr-10 inline-flex justify-center items-center w-10 h-10 rounded-full bg-white text-gray-900 text-sm hover:text-gray-500 focus:z-10 focus:outline-none focus:shadow-outline-blue active:bg-gray-100 active:text-gray-700 transition">
  • Infant 0-3 years { clearTimeout(timer); timer = setTimeout(function(){ window.livewire.find('RHEolL7Qm90ZeDCAH4Xq').emit('personChanged', value, 'infant'); }, 1000) })"> 0 ? 1 : 0" class="relative -mr-10 inline-flex justify-center items-center w-10 h-10 rounded-full bg-white text-gray-900 text-sm hover:text-gray-500 focus:z-10 focus:outline-none focus:shadow-outline-blue active:bg-gray-100 active:text-gray-700 transition">
  • Mexican Peso MXN New Zealand Dollar NZD Norwegian Krone NOK Polish Złoty PLN Romanian Leu RON Singapore Dollar SGD South African Rand ZAR South Korean Won KRW Swedish Krona SEK Swiss Franc CHF Turkish Lira TRY UAE Dirham AED Ukrainian Hryvnia UAH

Something went wrong!

  • London Tourism
  • London Hotels
  • London Bed and Breakfast
  • London Vacation Rentals
  • Flights to London
  • London Restaurants
  • Things to Do in London
  • London Travel Forum
  • London Photos
  • All London Hotels
  • London Hotel Deals
  • Last Minute Hotels in London
  • Things to Do
  • Restaurants
  • Vacation Rentals
  • Travel Stories
  • Rental Cars
  • Add a Place
  • Travel Forum
  • Travelers' Choice
  • Help Center

Churchill War Rooms - London Forum

  • Europe    
  • United Kingdom (UK)    
  • England    
  • London    

Churchill War Rooms

  • United States Forums
  • Europe Forums
  • Canada Forums
  • Asia Forums
  • Central America Forums
  • Africa Forums
  • Caribbean Forums
  • Mexico Forums
  • South Pacific Forums
  • South America Forums
  • Middle East Forums
  • Honeymoons and Romance
  • Business Travel
  • Train Travel
  • Traveling With Disabilities
  • Tripadvisor Support
  • Solo Travel
  • Bargain Travel
  • Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
  • England forums
  • London forum

' class=

11 replies to this topic

I've gone twice and haven't had a guided tour. It was wonderful at the pace we chose.

churchill tour london

Is this the before opening tour? If so, I'd say it's highly unlikely.

I'd book the audio tour sharpish as well - they have to limit the numbers inside as it's a confined space - as it's a very popular attraction.

churchill tour london

fro what its worth, when i was there PRE COVID, i went on my own.

there were school kids in there too but as far as i was concerned, it was well signed and in English.

I wouldn't recommend a tour for the Churchill War Rooms unless you really wanted one. There's plenty of displays you can read and enough to explain things without the need for a person to do that.

I think the OP means the audio handsets provided by the War Rooms.

The pre-opening tours are led by a Historian from IWM ,who will answer questions as you go round, which I think people like.

' class=

This is something you can easily do on your own.

The audio tour is very self explanatory and easy to do on your own as others have said. It is so interesting and you won't feel that you have missed out by not having a guided tour.

We also did the audio tour and found it great as it was self paced.

I agree I did a self your which was just fine. Do try to go early when they open.

The audio tour is fine, though I can see why a guided tour would be good. But rather than miss the trip entirely, go for the audio tour and book it now.

  • M25 closure March 15th to 18th 12:57 pm
  • Help with London itinerary please! 12:58 pm
  • What time to leave St Pancras for 14:40 flight from Gatwick? 12:53 pm
  • Help with hotel for one night 12:49 pm
  • Cute pretty souvenirs 12:47 pm
  • Question about what men wear to the theatre 12:28 pm
  • 1st time in London with kids for 3 days 11:26 am
  • Air China Check-in Heathrow 11:12 am
  • Is Heathrow still nightmare Terminal 5 connecting flights? 11:08 am
  • Request feedback... 10:35 am
  • Virtuo Car Rental 10:17 am
  • 1 day in London with transport 10:08 am
  • Is Bermondsey safe place ? 9:37 am
  • Advice on London Itinerary 9:06 am
  • Best Area of London to Stay for 2 nights 15 replies
  • How to get to Victoria Station from Heathrow? 10 replies
  • The London Pass...worth it or scam? 10 replies
  • Best hotel for Heathrow Terminal 3? 8 replies
  • Hostel/Hotel Near Liverpool Street Station 4 replies
  • outlet shops in London? 12 replies
  • Heathrow to Kings Cross 7 replies
  • London - factory / designer outlet malls 12 replies
  • weather in december 5 replies
  • Best Area to Stay in London 8 replies

London Hotels and Places to Stay

  • What can I do in London on a budget?
  • How to use Oyster Cards, Travelcards and 2-4-1 offers in London?
  • What is open in London on Christmas Day
  • The Championships, Wimbledon
  • Harry Potter in London - FAQ

churchill tour london

Explore

Avoid These Tourist Traps In London And Visit These Destinations Instead

O ne of the world's greatest cities, London is packed with tourist attractions so impressive that you'll want to add them all to your itinerary. From the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace to the Churchill War Rooms, the list of unmissable landmarks seems endless. Don't worry, though -- it's possible to visit most of them in just a two-day trip . When you're on a tight schedule, it's important to avoid time- and money-wasting tourist traps in favor of visiting sites that are worthy of your attention. 

Whether it's an overrated and overpriced wax museum, a kitschy dungeon experience, or a super crowded viewpoint, there are many places to avoid visiting in the U.K.'s heady capital. The confusing part? Some of them top multiple lists of must-see attractions. That's where we come in. 

As someone who lived in this captivating English city for six years, I have first-hand knowledge of the biggest tourist traps to avoid when traveling to London. Plus, I can offer more impressive (and often less costly) destinations to visit instead. Don't want to take my word for it? No problem. I combined my first-hand knowledge with reviews and suggestions from other locals to create this list.

Read more: 50 Underrated Tourist Destinations Around The World

Skip Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours And Ride A London Bus

While hop-on hop-off bus tours can be a convenient way to explore a big city, they often come with a hefty price tag. If the tour is based in London, you can expect to pay over $50 per adult for a one-day pass. Instead, board a London bus, which will cost less than $7 for a day of travel. Bus fare for one ride is about $2 and the daily cap is under $7. To pay for their ride, visitors must use a contactless card or an Oyster Card, the visitor's version of which can be purchased online and mailed to your home before you leave.

Double-decker London buses offer spectacular city views, with many routes passing right by London's landmark attractions. One of our faves is the historic Routemaster Bus 15, which we suggest boarding at the Tower of London. Hop on at Great Tower Street (Stop TT) and ride west to Charing Cross Station. Be sure to sit up top for the best views along this heritage route -– you can't miss St. Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square. 

Bus 24 is another great option for sightseers. Hop on at Victoria Station and ride it to Camden High Street. Along the way, you'll pass Westminster Abbey, the Horse Guard's Parade, Trafalgar Square, and Downing Street. Grab a bite at Camden Market when you disembark or stay on until you reach Hampstead Heath where you can catch unbeatable views of the city.

Skip Madame Tussauds And Visit Buckingham Palace

It may tout itself as a top London attraction, but Madame Tussauds would be more honest if they said they were the top rip-off site. Booking in advance will save some money -- the standard online rate for an adult begins at just over $47 versus the walk-up price, which begins at almost $60. But that's still a lot of quid to dish out for wandering around an overcrowded and noisy space filled with okay-ish wax replicas of A- and B-list celebs. Yes, it's fun to take photos with the royal family and fool friends into thinking you met them IRL, but is it worth it? We don't think so.

Instead, we suggest visiting Buckingham Palace for a potential King Charles III sighting. Realistically, you probably won't spy a royal outside the palace, but at least you'll see a historic monument up close. Celebrities more your thing? Book a reservation at one of the city's most popular restaurants. Chiltern Firehouse has hosted acting greats Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper as well as soccer superstar David Beckham. 34 Mayfair is another good bet for great food and celeb spotting. Imelda Staunton and royal family members have all eaten here.

Skip Changing Of The Guard And Visit The Queen's Gallery

While you should add Buckingham Palace to your list of must-see London tourist attractions, you may want to avoid a visit during the Changing of the Guard. This formal ceremony marks the change between the old guard (on-duty soldiers) and new guard (soldiers taking over duty) for the royal palaces. Marching with a band from Wellington Barracks to the Palace, the new guard will arrive at the palace at about 10:45 a.m. A well-known event, this is a big tourist draw, which means you can expect hefty crowds queuing up an hour or more in advance, as well as pickpockets who arrive to take advantage of the chaotic atmosphere. This tourist trap, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, is one you'll be happy to miss. Sadly, watching this famed ceremony these days feels more like witnessing an overhyped marching band than it does an esteemed historic ritual.

Instead, ditch the crowds and glimpse art from the Royal Collection in the Queen's Gallery or visit the Royal Mews , where you can see the royal stables and the 260-year-old Gold State Coach used at King Charles III's Coronation. The Mews are open Thursday through Monday from early March to early November. Neighboring St. James Park is another interesting place to visit. One of London's famed Royal Parks, it is bordered by three palaces and boasts a fabulous view of Buckingham Palace in particular.

Skip Platform 9 ¾ At King's Cross Station And Visit Warner Brothers Studio Tour London

If you're traveling with a Harry Potter-obsessed kid, you may want to visit Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station. But if you're alone, or with other adults who couldn't care less, we advise you to skip this overrated tourist trap. If you're already planning to be in King's Cross Station and have time to scope out this attraction, that's one thing; but if you're traveling there with the sole purpose of visiting this site, think twice. 

Set between platforms 9 and 10 (obvs) this point of interest includes nothing but a brick wall denoted with a sign. Stuck into the wall is part of a trolley loaded with fake suitcases and an empty owl cage. Those hoping for a quick photo and to score some Potter swag will be pleased;  the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ is open daily, even on bank holidays, and it sells everything from wands to clothes to makeup. 

For those who'd rather have an unforgettable and truly magical Harry Potter experience, though, head to Warner Brothers Studio Tour London -- The Making of Harry Potter in nearby Leavesden. Instead of merely looking at a wall, visitors can board the Hogwarts Express, "fly" on a broomstick, walk through the Great Hall, and explore the Forbidden Forest. Step foot in Diagon Alley, try a Butterbeer, or check out some of the film's famous props and costumes. You won't be sorry you visited.

Skip London Dungeon And Visit The Tower Of London

No matter how much the kids beg you to visit the London Dungeon, stay strong and just say "no." This kitschy tourist trap is a waste of your hard-earned money (tickets start at over $37 for adults) and it's so hokey you'll roll your eyes more times than you can count on both hands. This pitiful attraction is peppered with costume-clad actors who like to scream and cackle and its two rides (the Drop Dead: Drop Ride and the Tyrant Boat Ride) will make you wish you were at Walt Disney World; even "It's a Small World" would be more enjoyable. An escape room has also been added to increase the venue's income stream –- it costs $153 for a private game for six people.

Want a historic experience with a side of chills? Head to the Tower of London instead. There, you can tour the Torture at the Tower Exhibition, where you can get up close and personal with the stretching machine (a.k.a. the rack) and other ancient torture devices in the Lower Wakefield Tower. The Bloody Tower is another point of interest you won't want to miss. The most infamous prison on the grounds, this is where you'll learn about the alleged murder of two young princes -– Edward V and his little brother Richard –- by their uncle, Richard III.

Skip The London Bridge Experience And Visit Churchill War Rooms

Looking for a good spooking? Do yourself a favor and skip The London Bridge Experience. A tourist trap designed to bring the city's macabre history to life with the help of actors with a penchant for jump scares, you can expect to meet zombie-like versions of ghastly heavyweights Jack the Ripper and William Wallace during your visit. Tickets cost about $37 for the experience, which takes anywhere between 35 and 50 minutes. That means you could be spending more than $1 a minute. Entry fees also include a trip to the London Tombs, deemed the U.K.'s "best scare attraction," according to their site . Zombified dentists, doctors, and creepy clowns await visitors in the lower vaults of this venue, ready to pounce and scream in your face.

Instead, we suggest visiting the Churchill War Rooms. Also located underground, this fascinating historic facility is part of the Imperial War Museums. Located in the basement of Whitehall, this once-secret complex was used by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, top government ministers, and military planners to conduct meetings and develop plans during the country's war effort during World War II. Known as the Cabinet War Rooms, this clandestine spot was used daily during the war, until August 16, 1945. Or experience that stomach drop feeling by walking the glass floors at Tower Bridge. Set nearly 138 feet above the Thames, the views are both terrifying and impressive. Tickets cost under $16 per adult. 

Skip The Sherlock Holmes Museum And Visit The Sherlock Holmes Pub

We don't recommend visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum unless you have a detective-obsessed kid who doesn't realize that the famed character is fictional. Set inside a Georgian townhouse at 221B Baker Street in Marylebone, this four-story museum has been open since 1990. Inside lie antique furnishings mentioned in the books and pretty creepy-looking mannequins. Tickets cost over $21 which isn't exorbitant, especially for London, but considering you won't be there long (the museum's quite small), this seems a bit of a waste.

Instead, head to The Sherlock Holmes  in St James. Self-described as a "Victorian-themed public house," this watering hole features a recreated version of the famed fictional detective's apartment upstairs. The entire pub is dotted with references to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved books, making it easy to feel as if you're within the pages. Plus, there's a beer garden –- the museum certainly doesn't have one of those.

Skip The SEA Life London Aquarium And Visit The London Zoo

You'll find everything you'd expect to see at the SEA Life London Aquarium. From penguins to sharks to turtles, they're all there. And as far as aquariums go, this is a pretty good one. But when you're in one of the world's greatest cities that lies on the banks of a river, not an ocean, there are plenty of better things to see. Standard tickets to the Sea Life London Aquarium cost $24 online or $51 at the door. Again, that's pretty on par for London attractions, however, it's a steep price to pay for a tourist trap. 

Instead, visit London Zoo in Regent's Park. The oldest scientific zoo in the world, this family-friendly attraction was opened in 1828 for fellows of the Zoological Society of London. In 1847, the public was invited to visit. Today, the zoo is home to 14,0000 animals including a giant, 425-pound silverback gorilla, Sumatran tigers, and Linne's two-toed sloths. While tickets aren't cheap (an adult will cost about $40 to visit on a weekday), it's easy to spend a whole day here. Or, if you aren't willing to part with that much cash, visit the smaller, and lesser-known, Battersea Park Children's Zoo . Adult tickets are more reasonably priced, at $16. There are over 100 animals at this little zoo, including wallabies, meerkats, otters, and lemurs, and plenty of opportunities to interact with animals like coatis, donkeys, and goats.

Skip The Shard And Visit Level 10 At The Tate Modern

There's no denying that The Shard is impressive. In fact, it's one of the most spectacular buildings in the world . The viewing platform was opened by the queen on February 1, 2013, with the main restaurants (Aqua, Oblix, and Hutong) following suit that summer. Set across the Thames from another bucket-list-worthy London building, the Gherkin, this engineering masterpiece towers 1,016 feet above the city and boasts 11,000 glass panels. 

Dubbed a "vertical city," there's plenty to do inside, like spend serious coin on a meal with a view, or zip up one of the 44 elevators to the viewing platform. That 360-degree view will cost you, though -- about $36, or more if you add a glass of champagne. And if you visit on a day that's rainy or misty (honestly, London is often both of those things), you're basically paying for a ride in a lift.

Instead, head to Level 10 at Tate Modern, where you can enjoy a drink or snack (including sandwiches and salads) while ogling the impressive view of the Thames, St. Paul's Cathedral, the BT Tower, and Blackfriar's Bridge. You won't have to pay a thing unless you choose to grab a bite or a warm cuppa. The Skygarden at 20 Fenchurch Street is another must-visit for a free skyline vista. The highest public garden in London, this leafy space is as stunning as its views are remarkable.

Skip The London Eye And Visit Hamstead Heath

We are well aware that some of you will disagree with this addition to our list of tourist traps to avoid when traveling to London, but hear us out. Yes, the London Eye is iconic. Yes, it offers fantastic views of the city. And yes, it's deemed a top London attraction you won't want to miss . That said, visiting this popular landmark can cause more headaches than enjoyment. First created as a temporary point of interest, this 443-foot-tall, "cantilevered observation wheel" is the largest of its kind in the world, according to its website . And if you catch a ride on one of its 32 pods on a sunny day, you can see up to 25 miles in all directions. The problem is that thousands of others have the same idea, which means you could stand in line for more than two hours on a particularly busy day. Standard tickets start at over $32 online or more than $57 for a walk-up.

Instead, visit Hampstead Heath for a unique city view you probably never knew existed. Parliament Hill stands over 321 feet tall, making it one of the highest natural points in the city. If the weather is ideal, you can see to the Gherkin, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament. Speaking of the Gherkin, it's another great spot to enjoy unparalleled views. Grab a drink and snack at Iris Bar at Searcys at the Gherkin , then relax with a side order of stunning vistas.

Skip Harrods And Visit Peter Jones And Liberty

Harrods is to London as the Colosseum is to Rome -– a historic icon that's become synonymous with the city. The world's most famous luxury department store, this Knightsbridge institution is impossible to miss -– it's eight floors tall and an entire block long, not to mention over one million square feet in size. Inside, you'll find 20 restaurants, a beauty salon, a bank, and 300 separate departments selling over 5,000 brands. You'll also see price tags so high you might suffer sticker shock. Due to its notoriety, Harrods is often packed with tourists, making it difficult to enjoy the plush interior.

If you're hoping to shop during your London holiday, there are plenty of excellent places to visit instead. Sloane Square is home to the Peter Jones & Partners department store. Owned by John Lewis, this vast shop is filled with enough enticing merchandise that you'll find it tough to leave empty-handed. Grab a bite at The Top Floor Restaurant (on the 6 th floor) for captivating views of Chelsea and beyond.

Liberty is another recognizable landmark located on Regent Street. A heritage-listed building; this stunning Tudor-style store is as beautiful outside as it is indoors. Built between 1922 and 1924, it is worth a visit, if only to admire the impressive architectural features (the price tags here are also quite shocking).

Our Ranking Methodology

Having lived in London for six years with two young children, I visited pretty much every tourist attraction the city has. From renowned points of interest like the Tower of London to remarkable museums, I've seen the top sightseeing destinations multiple times, including many kitschy tourist traps I wish I'd skipped. To create this list, I used my experiences at these attractions to determine which locales are tourist traps that should be avoided and I included alternatives that are more than worthy of your time and money. I also consulted reviews from other locals and travelers, as well as their tips, to ensure the list is solid.

Read the original article on Explore .

Tourists and Houses of Parliament

IMAGES

  1. WINSTON CHURCHILL IN LONDON

    churchill tour london

  2. Churchill's London

    churchill tour london

  3. Churchill War Rooms tour, London

    churchill tour london

  4. Churchill’s War Rooms and Museum Tour

    churchill tour london

  5. Churchill War Rooms tour, London

    churchill tour london

  6. Churchill in London: A Guide to Winston Churchill Sites in London

    churchill tour london

COMMENTS

  1. Visit Churchill War Rooms

    Daily, 9am . Join our expert guides for a fascinating early-bird tour exploring highlights from the War Rooms. Starting before we open to the public, this tour covers what it was like to live and work beneath the streets of London during the Second World War, navigates you through the secret corridors, and explores more about the character and actions of Churchill himself.

  2. Winston Churchill Tour

    Ask us about visiting the Churchill sights in London (the Cabinet War Rooms, St Margaret's Westminster where he married, Palace Gate where he lived in London, his statue in Parliament Square and memorial in the Abbey) or the sights outside London - (his birthplace at Blenheim Palace, or his grave at Bladon, or Chartwell in Kent, his home from 1924 to 1965 where the rooms and gardens remain ...

  3. 5 Best Winston Churchill Tours in 2024 (ranked!)

    Easy Guide: Best Winston Churchill Tours in London. #1 PICK. Historical London Walking Tour in Westminster & Churchill War Rooms Entry. 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 499+ reviews. Book Here! #2 PICK. Winston Churchill & Westminster in World War 2 Walking Tour. 5 out of 5 stars, 70+ reviews.

  4. Churchill War Rooms

    Find Churchill War Rooms. Address: Clive Steps, King Charles St, Westminster, London SW1A 2AQ, UK Telephone: +44 20 7930 6961. View on Maps.

  5. Churchill War Rooms, London

    WW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance Ticket. 118. Historical Tours. from . $102.25. per adult (price varies by group size) Darkest Hour - Parliament and Churchill War Rooms Private Tour. 14. Recommended. 100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Historical Tours.

  6. Churchill War Rooms, London

    Next, see the church where he married, admire 10 Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, and explore the Churchill War Rooms; skip-the-line tickets are included to help you beat the crowds and save time. 4 to 5 hours. Free Cancellation. from. $244.03.

  7. Churchill's War Rooms and Museum Tour

    4.92. (271 Reviews) 2h 30min. English. Everyday. Several Departure Times. Experience WWII from the point of view of an inside operative on this eye-opening walking tour of Westminster, as you pass iconic London sites, including: 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Foreign and Commonwealth Buildings, Westminster Abbey ...

  8. Churchill's War Rooms & Westminster Tour

    After a walking tour across key London sites during World War II, travel back in time to 1945, as you head underground into Winston Churchill's elaborate World War II bunkers and see history preserved. With your local historian guide, learn the stories and context of life in London during WWII. Inside the bunkers, the rooms are intact just as they were over 75 years ago. See the maps ...

  9. Churchill War Rooms Guided Tour with Skip the Line Tickets

    Join our Churchill War Rooms walking tour with a historian. Experience WWII London's history, the profound impact of the Blitz on daily life, and Winston Churchill's vital leadership. Starting at the Churchill War Rooms, uncover the era's secrets and strategies. Explore Whitehall, visit iconic landmarks, and gain insights into the Royal Family's wartime role and Churchill's enduring legacy.

  10. Sir Winston Churchill Private Walking Tour & War Rooms

    End point. Churchill War Rooms. King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ, UK. Open in Google Maps. The tour ends just outside the Churchill War Rooms but includes tickets for the War Rooms which is experienced through audio/video guides. Your entry to the war rooms is generally between 12.45-1.45pm depending on hotel location & walking speed.

  11. Churchill War Rooms Tour: London in WWII

    From $196. London in a Day: Tower of London Tour, Westminster Abbey & River Cruise. The most comprehensive London tour available includes pre-reserved entrance to its top sites, a walking tour and a Thames boat ride. 349 8 h 20 max. Follow the life of Winston Churchill on this small-group WWII walking tour of London with skip-the-line tickets ...

  12. How To Visit the Churchill War Rooms in 2024: Tickets ...

    Children (Ages 5-15), £13.60. Children under 5, free entry. Concessions priced at £24.50 are available for those over 65, students, and the disabled. Free admission for one personal assistant accompanying a disabled person. Address: Clive Steps, King Charles St. Descend into the churchill war rooms.

  13. WW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance Ticket

    Learn about the impact of World War II on London during a walking tour that includes admission to the Churchill War Rooms. Take in major landmarks including Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and 10 Downing Street, and learn about the former British prime minister, Winston Churchill.

  14. Winston Churchill's London and The Churchill War Rooms

    Learn all about Winston Churchill's life on this private, history-themed tour. Pick from several convenient tour times, and set off with just your guide for company. You'll see where Churchill lived as a child and as a young man, will discover where he purchased his suits, and will even visit his preferred cigar shop. Next, see the church where he married, admire 10 Downing Street and the ...

  15. Churchill in London: A Guide to Winston Churchill Sites in London

    Churchill bust by Oscar Nemon Churchill War Rooms. Address: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, Westminster, London SW1A 2AQ The most informative Churchill site in London is the Churchill War Rooms, which includes the underground war rooms used during World War 2 and a museum about Churchill's life.This warren of underground rooms was used by Churchill and his war cabinet to direct the war ...

  16. Winston Churchill Tour of London

    Winston Churchill Tour of London. Step into Winston Churchill's London and follow in the footsteps of one of Britain's most famous politicians and leaders on our Winston Churchill tour of London. Churchill is perhaps the most iconic British personality of all time, and on this tour, you'll learn about his personal life and how his career ...

  17. Churchill tour London

    Churchill tour London - 3 day Sir Winston Churchill Historical Tour. Embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of London with the Churchill Tour. An exploration that delves into the life and legacy of Britain's iconic leader, Sir Winston Churchill. Revered for his resolute declaration of "we will never surrender," this immersive 3-day ...

  18. WW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance Ticket

    Audio guide and map of the Churchill War Rooms. Guided walking tour of Westminster Area. Small groups of 15 people or fewer (until 31st December 2023) Groups of 25 people or fewer (from 1st January 2024) Headsets when appropriate, so you can always hear your guide. Expert, English-speaking guide.

  19. London: Westminster WW2 Tour & Churchill's War Rooms Ticket

    Learn about life in London during World War II on a shared group or private tour of Westminster and Churchill's War Rooms. See the original wartime bunker that sheltered Winston Churchill and his government during the London blitz. Free cancellation. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

  20. Churchill War Rooms

    Churchill War Rooms - London Forum. Europe ; United Kingdom (UK) England ; London ; London Travel Forum; Search. Browse all 159,329 London topics » Churchill War Rooms Watch this Topic. ... I wouldn't recommend a tour for the Churchill War Rooms unless you really wanted one. There's plenty of displays you can read and enough to explain things ...

  21. Avoid These Tourist Traps In London And Visit These Destinations ...

    From the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace to the Churchill War Rooms, the list of unmissable landmarks seems endless. Don't worry, though -- it's possible to visit most of them in just a two ...

  22. Churchill's War Rooms & London Top Sights Tour (Mar 2024)

    Walking tour of the Top 20 sights of London (4.5 / 5 hours) Churchill War Rooms ticket. Please bring an Oyster Card or Travel Card with at least £5 (2 rides) Food and drinks (please bring your own drinks & packed lunch) Hotel pickup and drop-off : please meet us at the starting point. Umbrella if it looks like rain!

  23. See Who's Leading U.K. Tour of & Juliet

    The Broadway and London hit will launch a tour of the U.K. this summer. By Andrew Gans March 08, 2024 ... Caryl Churchill's Escaped Alone Begins at Yale Repertory March 8

  24. London to Winston Churchill's Chartwell House Private Tour ...

    Visit Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill's former home, without the fixed timings of a group tour or having to arrange independent train, cab, or bus transport, with this private trip from London. Travel smoothly to rural Kent, and enjoy as long as you please to explore the house and gardens—left as in Churchill's time. Plus, tailor the itinerary around you, perhaps adding lunch (own ...