A visit to the Imperial War Museum can be moving, inspiring and transformative. The aim of the museum is to allow its visitors to experience wars.
The Galleries
The Imperial War Museum is made up of five different galleries located around the country that house the extensive collection. The London museum has several permanent galleries. It also has displays and events that change, meaning that it is always worth a second visit.
The permanent exhibits include an exhibit on the First World War, one on the Second World War, and an exhibit that shares the stories of extraordinary men, women and children. These galleries give you the chance to find out what life was like during the wars. You and your family can explore what it means to be a leader, to be brave and to be a hero.
Museum Tours
For your visit to the museum, you can tale part in one of the public tours that are offered. There are usually two different tours each day. The tours utilise headsets so that you can clearly hear the guide no matter where you are in the gallery. The tours last around 40 minutes. You can check to see which tours are running on the museum’s website.
If you want a truly unique experience, then you can book a private tour. These tours can happen outside of regular opening hours for an extra fee.
Planning Your Visit
The museum opens at 10 am, until 6 pm. You can visit most days of the year. It is only shut on the 24th 25th and 26th of December.
If you plan to come on the tube, you have two choices for stops. Lambeth North and Elephant and Castle are the two closest stops to the Museum. If you are travelling straight from The Darlington Hotel, the best route is to walk to Paddington Station. You can then ride the Bakerloo line to Elephant and Castle. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
At the museum, there is a cafe serving a range of freshly prepared British food. There is a gift shop on-site where you can buy souvenirs. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.