London Wartime History and Churchill War Rooms

It’s time to go back to the 1940s. Big Ben no longer sounds. Air raid sirens are the norm. German bombing raids come under cover of darkness. The population lives with rations and restrictions. Many Brits lay down their lives in Europe and beyond.
With your local expert guide, you will keep calm and carry on, learning about the British resolve and getting the inside scoop on the truth behind Westminster in wartime on this walking tour past important monuments like the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Cenotaph, Ministry of War, 10 Downing Street and Whitehall.

After your small group experience, bid your new-found friend and guide a fond farewell to descend into the War Rooms. At your own pace, discover the miles of strategic bunkers where Winston Churchill and his cabinet were to conduct their part in WW2. This unforgettable location is frozen in time and ready to be discovered once again.

Meeting Point

Boudiccan Rebellion

Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH, UK

Meet our guide by the Boadicea and Her Daughters Statue outside Westminster Station, Exit 2. Please follow the signs for Exit 2 Victoria Embankment, and then take the stairs up to street level to Victoria Embankment. We meet at the top of the stairs next to The Boadicea and Her Daughters Statue.

What's included:

• Entrance tickets to Churchill’s War Rooms
• Small groups of 15 people or fewer
• Guided walking tour of the city of Westminster
• Audio guide in the War Rooms
• English-speaking local expert guide

Not included:

• Gratuities
• Hotel pick-up and drop off
• Food and drinks

What to expect:

Duration: 3 hours

Westminster Bridge

, , London, SE1 7PB

Painted green for the Houses of Commons, visit the bridge where WW2 bombs are still discovered to this day. Visited outside

5 minutes

Houses of Parliament

Parliament Square, London, SW1A 0AA

As the centre of British government, hear how parliament reacted to the looming threat from the Third Reich as the bell of Big Ben went quiet and the planes of the Luftwaffe filled the skies over London. Visited outside.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Parliament Square

Westminster, London, SW1P 3BD

With statues of icons from Mahatma Gandhi and Millicent Fawcett to Honest Abe, this square celebrates democracy in all its forms- something that was never so important as through the dark days of WW2. Visiting outside

10 minutes

Westminster Abbey

20 Dean's Yard, Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3PA

With statues of icons from Mahatma Gandhi and Millicent Fawcett to Honest Abe, this square celebrates democracy in all its forms- something that was never so important as through the dark days of WW2. Visiting outside

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Whitehall

London, SW1A 2BX

Home to the Ministry of Defence, Whitehall played a key role in the drama of WW2. Visit both the Cenotaph and Women in WW2 monuments to pay your respects to the brave men and women who laid down their lives for our freedom. Visiting outside

10 minutes

Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

Horse Guards Whitehall, , London, SW1A 2AX

The prime spot to get your photo with the mounted cavalry of the Queen’s Horseguards and official entrance to Buckingham Palace itself. Visiting outside

10 minutes

Churchill War Rooms

King Charles Street, Clive Steps, Westminster, London, SW1A 2AQ

This winding complex of underground offices became the epicentre of the government’s war effort as they scrambled to save Britain from invasion.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included