UK Travel Guide

Museums

Cabinet War Rooms

The concept for such rooms dates back to the early 1920s with the realisation and fear that in any new war, cities and government could be bombarded and destroyed from the air. It became increasingly important that there be some way to protect the government of the day from such destruction. Many schemes were costed constructed and evaluated in the 1930s but it was finally decided to use the basement chambers of the Office of Works building in George Street. The building had the strongest structure in Whitehall and was conveniently close to Number 10 Downing Street. Work started in 1938 and was completed on 27 August 1939, a week before the German invasion of Poland. For six years these rooms housed and sheltered Churchill and his War Cabinet the lights finally being switched off after the Japanese surrender in August 1945. Today, on exhibit, is a suite of twenty rooms which were redecorated in 1982. Included is the old Cabinet Room, Transatlantic Telephone Room, Map Room and the Prime Minister’s Room. Although basic, they are very evocative, with sound effects adding to the atmosphere.

Located at: King Charles Street off Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AQ

Telephone: 020 7930 6961

Opens: 9.30 am (10.00 am 1 October - 31 March) - 6.00 pm (last admission 5.15 pm)

Cost: GBP5.00, children free

Closest Subway Station: Westminster Station (Click to see more atrraction at this station)