9 of the Top World War II History Sites in London

The pièce de résistance of Britain’s war museums, the Imperial War Museum (IWM) was founded toward the end of WWI and remains one of the world’s leading museums on war and conflict. If you’re exploring WWII history in London, IWM London is the ideal place to start. Visit on a guided tour to learn more about the permanent exhibitions, which include a moving look at the Holocaust, a fascinating presentation on the role of women in wartime Britain, and artifacts ranging from a piece of the Berlin Wall to German V-1 and V-2 rockets used to bomb London.

In 1940, Winston Churchill declared the Cabinet War Room “the room from which I will direct the war,” and he wasn’t wrong—this underground hideaway was a crucial command center from which the British government orchestrated the country’s war efforts. Today, the Churchill War Rooms, technically a branch of the Imperial War Museum, are among the most acclaimed WWII museums in London. Peek inside the secret network of war bunkers: visit the Map Room, Transatlantic Telephone Room, and Cabinet Rooms, and admire WWII-era artifacts such as the Remington “noiseless” typewriter. You could also combine museum tickets with a tour of WWII historical sites in London.

One of the best WWII landmarks in London sits on the south bank of the Thames River, just a short stroll from London Bridge. Step aboard the HMS Belfast and take a deep-dive into Britain’s seafaring history as you explore the huge WWII warship. This Royal Navy warship was not only used during D-Day, but it later served during the Korean War and carried out humanitarian assignments before becoming a floating museum in 1971. Once on board, you can visit all nine decks, climb the ladders into the crew’s quarters, and admire views across the Thames.

Hampton Court Palace is best known as the grand Tudor residence of one of Britain’s most notorious kings, the five-times-married King Henry VIII. If you’re visiting WWII memorials in London, you’ll want to also include a walking or bike tour around Hampton Court Palace Gardens and Bushy Park. During WWII, the royal parklands were home to Camp Griffiss, a US Air Force and Army base from where General Eisenhower planned the D-Day Landings. You can still see the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) emblem on the SHAEF Gate and visit the neighboring SHAEF Memorial.

Some of the city’s most important war memorials are dotted along Whitehall, and visiting with a London WWII history sites guide provides insight into the parliamentary district. Walk past the Horse Guards Parade and the Ministry of Defence en route to the striking Women of World War II Monument, then pass the Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street and the towering Cenotaph WWI memorial as you continue to the Houses of Parliament, fronted by a solemn statue of Sir Winston Churchill. Nearby, you’ll find the Battle of Britain Monument along the Embankment.

Hop on the tube and head up to the north London neighborhood of Barnet, where the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum has plenty to excite aviation enthusiasts. More than 100 aircraft are on display at the Hendon Aerodrome, including a Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1A and a Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 that took part in the Battle of Britain. Learn about the role of fighter pilots, bombers, seaplanes, and helicopters during WWII and beyond, or take a seat in the cockpit of a Spitfire.

A more surprising inclusion on London WWII walking tours is St. Paul’s Cathedral. Christopher Wren’s architectural masterpiece is not only one of London’s most famous landmarks, but it also served as an important symbol of hope and resilience for Londoners during WWII. The magnificent cathedral was repeatedly under attack during The Blitz, when daily German bombing raids left much of the city in ruins. However, despite a Nazi bomb piercing the cathedral’s dome and damaging the high altar, the sacred monument stood strong throughout the entire duration of the war.

Another one of the United Kingdom’s most important military museums is found in the affluent West London borough of Chelsea. Tucked away between Chelsea’s historic streets and foodie spots, the National Army Museum chronicles the history of the British Army, following them through colonial wars, civil wars, and both world wars. In addition to learning about the role of British battalions during WWII, there’s a fascinating exhibition devoted to the work of British soldiers in post-WWII Germany.

Insider tip: The museum is free to visit, but donations are welcome.

Cracking the “unbreakable” German cipher machine, Enigma is widely hailed as one of the defining Allied victories of WWII, and the top-secret codebreaking missions took place right here at Bletchley Park. Visit on a day trip from London and explore the countryside estate where Alan Turing and his team of WWII codebreakers worked around the clock to decipher the Nazi’s coded messages. Look inside the recreated codebreakers’ huts, see the world’s largest collection of Enigma machines, and visit the National Museum of Computing.