Frequently asked questions

A preserved underground bunker in Whitehall that housed Britain's wartime government from 1939 to 1945, plus a museum dedicated to Winston Churchill's life. Together the two are called the Churchill War Rooms and operated by Imperial War Museums.

The Cabinet War Rooms are the actual historic rooms, left as they were in 1945. The Churchill Museum is a separate biographical exhibition covering his 90-year life, opened by the Queen in 2005. Both are inside the same building and are covered by a single ticket.

The current adult ticket costs £29.75 — this applies both at the official IWM counter and via Headout. From 2 September 2026 the price rises to £34. Children 5–15 pay half; under-fives are free.

No — the standard entry ticket does not include an audio guide, neither at the IWM counter nor as Headout's "entry only" variant. On Headout you can pick the separate "entry + audio tour" variant that adds a Political London audio guide, or the guided-tour variant with a live guide. The variant name always makes it clear before you book.

If you book the Headout "entry + audio tour" variant, the Political London audio guide is typically offered in several major European languages plus English. The exact list appears on the Headout variant page before you check out — pick your language there.

Depends on which ticket you book. Headout offers "Book now, pay later" on selected variants and free cancellation up to 24 hours before your slot on most tickets. IWM-direct tickets are non-refundable but exchangeable subject to availability. Always check the specific ticket page before paying.

Daily 9:30–18:00, last entry 17:00. Closed 24–26 December. Occasional extended summer opening — check the IWM page before you go.

Address: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AQ. Nearest Tube stations St James's Park and Westminster (both a 3-minute walk). Whitehall bus lines 11, 24, 87, 88 and 159 stop nearby.

The Imperial War Museums officially recommend at least two hours. Most visitors stay 90 minutes to two and a half hours between bunker and Churchill Museum.

The first 9:30 slot is quietest — the bunker fills quickly once the Westminster group tours arrive later in the morning. Weekdays outside school holidays are noticeably calmer than weekends. If you want the current £29.75 price, visit before 2 September 2026 — from that date the adult ticket rises to £34.

Yes — step-free entry with lift access to the historic route. A small number of side spaces have residual steps; the IWM accessibility page has the complete detail. Some corridors are deliberately dimly lit for atmosphere.

Yes. IWM runs a dedicated family space, "Undercover: Life in Churchill's Bunker", plus family activity trails. Children 5–15 pay half; under-fives are free. Note that some audio content includes air-raid sirens and bombing sounds that can startle small children.

Suitcases and large bags are not permitted, and there is no cloakroom on site. The closest luggage storage is at Charing Cross Station.

Yes — a café operates on site during museum hours, and two shops sell books, prints and IWM-designed souvenirs (cash and card both accepted).

Yes, for personal use — but no flash and no tripods. A few marked rooms don't allow photography at all. The on-site volunteers will point them out.