Churchill’s London

With Germans bombing London, Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, went underground to plan his strategy. Now see the bunkers from where he won the war.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

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Churchill War Rooms tour, London

Imagine it. Air raid sirens blaring and bombs dropping from the sky. Across the city, residents seek shelter from the attacks while fires break out indiscriminately.

Nowhere is safe because anywhere could be the next target.

For 57 consecutive days or nights in 1940, the Germans bombed London relentlessly. Through it all, the man trying to win the war for Britain was working furiously underground.

Winston Churchill – the new Prime Minister brought to power by a wave of desperation and hope, ultimately justified – had set up a secret headquarters from where he mounted his plans to defeat Adolf Hitler.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

This bunker under the buildings of Whitehall is now open to the public and a visit is a journey back in time. I’m struck immediately by the size of it.

Technically it’s called the “Churchill War Rooms’ and I had expected a few rooms where meetings were held. In fact, there is a mini city here underground.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

Hundred of people lived here – sometimes for days on end – and so there are dormitories and kitchens to support them. There are rooms for war tacticians, rooms for maps, rooms for broadcasts and rooms for telephones.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

It’s hard to get a grip of the size because you have to leave your sense of direction at the door. You place your faith in a rabbit warren of paths through large metal doors and along concrete corridors.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

During the wartime, there were tight restrictions on access. Everybody beneath the ground had a certain level of clearance and guards at the doors would only let you through if you were approved. Today, thankfully, it’s a bit easier.

It’s especially easy for me because of my guide, Robert Gunning. He knows these rooms well and is able to lead me through the labyrinth, pointing out the particularly interesting places and filling in some of the history.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

Robert points out a door that everyone at the time was told was Winston Churchill’s private bathroom. It had a permanent ‘engaged’ sign on it and nobody used it for fear they would upset the Prime Minister.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

In fact, hidden behind the door, was a secret telephone room, not a toilet. It was a direct line to US President Franklin Roosevelt and the pretence was just another layer of security.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

It’s somewhat eerie to see the rooms for yourself that were so critical in the biggest event of the past century.

The small cabinet war room where the key people in the government and military would sit (and smoke) and plan operations…

The larger meeting room with walls covered in maps where more regular briefings would occur…

And the bedroom of Winston Churchill where he would sometimes sleep and made a few broadcasts to the nation from.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England
Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England
Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

A large museum has also been built in the bunkers covering the life of Churchill from his birth through to his death.

There’s more information here than you could absorb on one visit but I am particularly struck by a collection of his toy soldiers from his childhood.

It seems as though everything he did in his years before becoming Prime Minister were leading to his defining moments in a world war.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England
Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

Robert takes me through some of the key items in the museum. Everything we’re seeing and everything he’s telling me is creating a broader picture of the man.

In fact, we spent at least an hour before arriving at the Churchill War Rooms walking through Westminster – Churchill’s London by this point in time. The tour goes past places like the House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing St and Whitehall.

Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England
Visit Churchill War Rooms, London, England

This is a mix of old London and new London, looked at through the prism of history. In many ways, it’s appropriate. Without Winston Churchill, new London could be a very different city. Everyone could be speaking German.

12 thoughts on “Churchill’s London”

  1. It looks like a really interesting place and something I’d love to see as I have a big interest in wartime stories. I had it on my list of places to visit when in London but just ran out of time. Hopefully next time.

    Reply
    • It is easy to run out of time somewhere like London. I don’t think the war rooms are ever at the top of anyone’s list but they’re very close to Westminster and Buckingham Palace so you can fit it into a day in that area.

      Reply
    • The toy soldiers were interesting. I guess it might explain why he went into the military and that then leads on to his position as Prime Minister many years later. Still… you do sometimes wonder whether people are just destined to do a certain thing.

      Reply
  2. Visiting the War Rooms was one of the many highlights of my first two London visits. I say two because I actually went there twice — alone and then with my husband. The first time was before they had expanded the museum and there were very few visitors. I was able to walk along the corridors in Churchill’s footsteps without anyone else around. It was quite an intense feeling. Highly recommend everyone to visit.

    Reply
    • I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it too. It’s a really cool slice of history and that’s awesome it was quiet the first time you visited. It’s quite a busy attraction these days… not overly packed, but you certainly wouldn’t be walking through alone anymore.

      Reply
  3. Hi Michael!

    I was wondering if you’d allow me permission to use one of your images of Churchill’s toy soldiers in a television show I’m producing.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Hello Michael
    Enjoyed your blog on Churchill War Rooms. We are going to London from 4/23/22 – 4/30/22 and would love to contact your guide Robert Gunning. Can you send his contact info? We are travelers and not tourists and any unique cultural experiences with art/architecture or music that you can think of would be appreciated. Thank you for your great blog! Diana Martin

    Reply

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