Military Museums

The HMS Belfast, Southwark

The only surviving British battle cruiser from World War 2, that also saw action in the Korean War, has been preserved and is a unique experience. It gives a genuine insight into life aboard and how the ship worked as a fighting machine. Very popular with children.

The Cabinet War Rooms, Whitehall

"This is where I shall run the war", Winston Churchill. The underground nerve centre used to manage Britain's involvement in World War 2 remains intact and, in places, is a virtual time capsule. The museum also contains the Churchill Museum devoted to the life and career of Winston Churchill.

The Guards Museum, St James' Park

The Museum traces the history of the Monarch's Footguards from their inception in the 17thC up todate. In addition to their ceremonial duties (evolved from their original task as royal guards), as elite troops the Gurds have been involved in many of Britain's most important campaigns. The story is fascinating and the memorabilia exceptional.

The Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards
 
The cavalry version of the Guards Museum contains equally fascinating exhibitions and is superbly situated immediately adjacent to Horse Guards where the guard is mounted and changed.

Imperial War Museum, Vauxhall

Original focussed on World War 1, the Museum is now devoted to all conflicts involving the armed forces since then. The collection is stupendous with guns, planes, tanks, boats, and missiles that tell the story of the development of modern warfare over the past 100 years.

The London Docklands Museum, Canary Wharf

This museum tells the history of the London Docks generally but includes an entire galler dedicated to the Dockland during the London Blitz in World War 2.

The National Army Museum, Chelsea

The NAM concentrates on telling the history of the British Army from early medieval times up to now. The galleries have illuminating exhibits and are especially good at explanation. It is very popular with children.

The Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich Arsenal

Here you can see the development of the use of artillery from the age of arrows through the gun powder age to the use of modern weapons. Like a number of London's military museums, it is related to its landscape being located on a site that has been associated with British munitions for centuries.

The Royal Fusiliers Museum, Tower of London

Another wonderfully linked site for a museum as the Fusiliers were originally formed at The Tower of London in 1685 by King James ii.