Best for
History enthusiasts, WWI/WWII and Holocaust history in particular
Time needed
2–4 hours
Worth it?
Yes — one of the most serious, well-curated war museums in Europe
Skip if
You're travelling with young children — much of the content is genuinely heavy
About Imperial War Museum London
Founded in 1917 — while the First World War was still being fought — the Imperial War Museum was conceived from the start as a record for future generations rather than a celebration of victory, and that documentary, unsentimental tone still defines it. Its London branch has occupied the former Bethlem Royal Hospital building in Lambeth, once London's notorious "Bedlam" asylum, since 1936.
The atrium is dominated by genuine hardware — a Spitfire and Harrier jet hang overhead, a V-2 rocket and Battle-of-Britain-veteran aircraft stand at ground level — but the museum's strongest material is upstairs and downstairs in its narrative galleries. The First World War Galleries reconstruct trench life through real artefacts and testimony; the Holocaust Galleries, extensively redeveloped and reopened in 2021, are widely considered one of the most powerful Holocaust exhibitions anywhere, built around real objects and survivor accounts rather than reconstruction.
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The permanent Second World War Galleries and a floor devoted to more recent and ongoing conflicts round out a museum that treats its subject with more seriousness than spectacle. Content in the Holocaust Galleries is not recommended for under-14s, and several rooms elsewhere carry similar guidance.
Entry is free across all floors, funded by donations, making it one of the best-value serious history museums in London — but it rewards a proper half-day rather than a quick pass-through.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Genuine Spitfire and Harrier jet suspended in the atrium
- 2The Holocaust Galleries — reopened 2021, built around real testimony and objects
- 3First World War Galleries with trench-life reconstructions
- 4A real V-2 rocket and Battle of Britain-era aircraft
- 5Two genuine 15-inch naval guns flanking the entrance
- 6Free admission across all permanent galleries
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Insider Tips
Budget at least 2–3 hours — the Holocaust Galleries alone need 60–90 minutes
The Holocaust Galleries are not recommended for children under 14
Free general admission — no advance ticket required for most galleries
The building's former life as Bedlam asylum is a small but interesting side note covered near the entrance
Combine with a walk along the South Bank or a stop at Lambeth North's WWII-themed street murals nearby
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Getting There
Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ
Open in Google Maps →- 1Lambeth North (Bakerloo line) or Elephant & Castle (Bakerloo, Northern) — both roughly a 10-minute walk.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want context on WWI, WWII or the Holocaust beyond a surface level
- You appreciate museums built around real testimony rather than dramatisation
- You're interested in military hardware and aviation history
- You have a free half-day away from London's more crowded central sights
Skip if...
- You're travelling with young children — several galleries carry age guidance of 14+
- You find war and Holocaust content too difficult to engage with right now
- You only have an hour — this museum rewards a longer, unhurried visit
Ready to Book Your Visit?
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