London Churchill History and Legacy Tour

If you're looking to explore the rich history of Churchill and his impact on London and the global stage, this is the tour for you. Your expert guide will take you through central London, visiting the key locations that shaped the great man's life and legacy. From his secret wartime headquarters to the iconic Houses of Parliament, you’ll get an in-depth insight into his wartime leadership, personal life and influence on the course of history. Whether you're a Churchill enthusiast or simply curious about one of the most influential of all Britains, this tour will not disappoint.
Our guarantee: if, for some reason, the tour does not live up to your expectations (and so far that’s never happened), then you can have a no-quibble free ticket for any of our other tours. They are detailed here: www.fantasticwalks.co.uk.

This tour also has an upgrade option, allowing you to buy a ‘beat the queue’ entrance ticket to the Churchill War Museum (which is where the tour starts and finishes).

Meeting Point

Churchill War Rooms

King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ, UK

We meet outside of the Churchill War Rooms. Your guide will be standing next to the very obvious 'Clive of India' statue and will be holding a small 'Fantastic Walks' flag.

What's included:

• Expert English-speaking guide
• Voice-amplifiers when needed
• Small group (often less than 20)

Not included:

• Gratuities

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

Horse Guards Whitehall, , London, SW1A 2AX

Our first stop is the grand and historic Horse Guards Parade. Here, you’ll discover Churchill’s troubled childhood, his daring adventures as a war correspondent, and the infamous Gallipoli campaign, which he oversaw as First Lord of the Admiralty. You’ll also see where he worked and lived, along with the story of a top-secret building he famously called a ‘monstrosity.’

10 minutes

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial

The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AG

At this stop, we explore two themes: the Blitz and the Royals. You'll learn about the devastation of the Blitz and the courage of the royal family during those challenging times. Additionally, we’ll delve into Churchill’s frustration with one particular royal, whose admiration for Hitler fueled tensions, especially given the Nazi plan to have this royal crowned King.

10 minutes

Carlton House Terrace

The Mall, , London, London W1

You’ll visit the Free French headquarters and learn about Churchill’s strained relationship with General de Gaulle. You’ll also see the former location of the German Embassy before the outbreak of the Second World War and hear about its final and most notorious ambassador, Joachim von Ribbentrop. Additionally, the importance of the Battle of Britain will be explored, marking Germany's first major defeat in the war and, just as importantly, Britain’s first victory.

15 minutes

Old War Office Building

Whitehall, London SW1A 2EU, UK

The Old War Office stands as one of the grandest buildings in this prestigious part of central London. It was here that Churchill served as Secretary of State for War from 1919 to 1921, and two decades later, where he established the Special Operations Executive (SOE), also known as ‘The Department of Ungentlemanly Warfare.’ Their mission, as Churchill put it, was to go behind enemy lines and ‘set Europe ablaze.’

10 minutes

10 Downing Street

Downing Street, , London, SW1A 2AL

This may be a brief stop, but it is an important one. Churchill served as Prime Minister twice, residing at 10 Downing Street during the war years and later from 1951 to 1955. Earlier in his career, following in his father's footsteps, he held the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer, which saw him living at 11 Downing Street.

5 minutes

Women of World War II Memorial

Whitehall, What3words: Zips.scared.forms, London, SW1

This is one of the most poignant wartime monuments, honouring all the women who served Britain in combat and on the home front during the Second World War. It also offers a moment to delve into Churchill’s views on women, including his stance on suffrage and their broader role in society.

10 minutes

The Cenotaph

Whitehall, London SW1A 2ET, UK

The Cenotaph stands as the nation’s most significant wartime monument and serves as the centerpiece of national remembrance each November. Churchill laid numerous wreaths here, both as First Lord of the Admiralty and as Prime Minister. The significance of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance will also be explored.

10 minutes

Parliament Square

Westminster, London, SW1P 3BD

This is our final stop before returning to the Churchill War Museum. Here, you’ll see where Churchill married his beloved Clementine and have the chance to admire his iconic statue. We’ll also take this moment to reflect on his views regarding race, the working classes, and the British Empire.

20 minutes