Note: The Churchill War Rooms is part of Britain’s Imperial War Museums. If you want to check out my write up on the IWM London, click here.
Tucked in a corner by the Clive Steps in London is the entrance to one of my favourite stops during our Europe trip. The inconspicuous door leading to the Churchill War Rooms’ entrance was already modified to make it easier for people to find it. However, a lot of tourists who visit London still walk past it, not knowing what it actually is and not even noticing it.
The Churchill War Rooms is composed of the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum. It is an underground complex built under the Treasury building in London that served as Britain’s command centre during World War II. It is where then Prime Minister Winston Churchill spent most of his time, making the most important decisions and plans back then. The complex was abandoned in August 1945 after WWII and was preserved.
Lovely day, isn’t it?
During the war, most of Churchill’s cabinet and their staff lived in this underground complex and only left for important matters. There was no way of telling how the weather was from under there so those who have been out would inform the rest through this sign near the entrance.
Strict, scary boss
A lot of people who worked under Churchill admired his work ethic but admit to be somehow scared of him. He’s strict and he hates noise (although he can be loud himself). He wants everything done ASAP.
I kinda understand where the guy’s coming from though. I can’t write when there’s noise. I can’t even hear myself think. I admit that I’ve snapped at one too many co-workers at some point. There’s always a time to have fun or make mundane comments and there’s a time for writing (work) which is sacred.
I even met someone who burps loudly at the office while everyone’s busy working. Like it’s supposed to be funny. I wanted to do a Ramsay Bolton on that person. Burping? Whistling? They’re all noise. So, yeah. I really feel you, Winston.
He’s pretty famous for this sticky note. I wanna get some and stick them on everything!
Churchill was a pretty loyal customer of Breguet and his preference was the no 765 pocket watch that you can also see in the famous photo of him taken by Yousef Karsh.
Clementine
Clementine’s my kind of woman. Headstrong, opinionated, and honest. She loved her husband very much but was never afraid to tell him when he’s wrong. Her husband trusted her so much that he often asked for her opinion in matters of the state. That raised quite a number of eyebrows back in the day.
She also had her own room in the underground complex. Of course, Winston Churchill wanted his closest and most important adviser close to him.
Whenever he’s away, they would send each other letters and pages of these were on display at the museum. There was even a letter from Clementine telling her husband not to be too hot headed and aggressive during meetings as that was making him unpopular among his party members. In all fairness to her husband, he did try to be more calm despite the stress war was giving him.
The Enigma machine – no further explanation needed
Churchill’s private quarters in the underground complex
Churchill was not a morning person. But he gets the job done.
I also loved the merchandise being sold at the museum shop. I showed this mug to my husband while giving him a sly smile. We had a good laugh after he read what was on it. 😉
Opening Times:
Daily: 9:30am to 6:00pm (Last admission is 5:00pm)
Admission
Adults: GBP17.50
Children Under 16: FREE
Like us, you can get in for FREE if you have the London Pass
Getting there
Underground Stations Nearby: Westminster or St. James’s Park Stations
More later.
Love,
Carol
*Trip is not sponsored by any country’s tourism department, company, or brand but by my side of the family living in Europe. 😊
