Imperial War Museum London

Over het museum

The Imperial War Museum was founded in 1917, while the First World War was still being fought, to collect and display material about the war and the experiences of ordinary people as well as soldiers. It first opened to the public in 1920 and, after temporary homes, moved in the 1930s into its present building in Lambeth, a former hospital with a large central dome.

Over the decades the museum widened its scope beyond the First World War to cover the Second World War and later conflicts, and it grew into a group of five sites across England, including HMS Belfast, the Churchill War Rooms and IWM Duxford. The London branch remains the group's flagship museum.

Its displays use film, art, diaries, uniforms, weapons and large objects to explore why wars happen, how they are fought and what they mean for the people caught up in them. Permanent galleries cover the First and Second World Wars and the Holocaust, and the Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries show how artists and filmmakers have responded to conflict. Entry is free.

Hoogtepunten

• First World War Galleries with a trench experience
• Second World War Galleries with an Anderson shelter
• The Holocaust Galleries
• Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries
• Large objects in the atrium (Witnesses to War)

Vaste collectie

• First World War Galleries – Galleries on the causes, course and consequences of the First World War, with weapons, uniforms, diaries and film.
• Second World War Galleries – Galleries on the Second World War, including how families protected themselves in Anderson shelters during air raids.
• The Holocaust Galleries – Galleries on the Holocaust, with BSL information points and tactile objects.

Opgericht

1917

Beheerder

Imperial War Museums

Directie

Diane Lees

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 320.542

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

Entry is free and does not need to be booked. Paid exhibitions and events are ticketed separately; some special exhibitions are free.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The North Entrance has steps, so step-free visitors should use the West Entrance, which starts the visit on level 0; inside, the museum is fully accessible by lifts and ramps. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge from the West Entrance (pre-booking by phone is advised). A Changing Places toilet (RADAR key from the Information Desk) and six gender-neutral accessible toilets are available. Two Blue Badge bays behind the museum on Brook Drive must be reserved by phone. BSL information points, BSL-interpreted videos, induction loops, English subtitles, braille and tactile maps, large print guides and a Quiet Room are provided, and sensory backpacks and ear defenders can be borrowed at the Information Desk. Trained assistance dogs are welcome.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte

Free self-guided adventure trails and weekend and holiday activities are suitable for children aged 5 to 12, and a children's guidebook is sold. The West Entrance is step-free for pushchairs and baby changing is available on all floors. Free sensory backpacks can be borrowed. Some special exhibitions are designed for families.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The museum stands in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park. Santander Cycle docking stations are on Geraldine Street and Kennington Road.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Garderobe: niet aanwezig
• Kluisjes

Café off the main atrium serving hot and cold seasonal dishes, cakes and drinks. A lunchroom for packed lunches is open to all visitors at weekends. Lockers by the North and West Entrances need a refundable £1 coin; large luggage cannot be stored.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur

Venue hire is offered through IWM's commercial team.

Je bezoek plannen