Churchill's War Rooms & Other Adventures

Winston Churchill in the bunker

By, Erin Zito

6/3/2013

As a part of Britain’s Imperial War Museums, we got to see Churchill’s War Rooms.  These rooms give you an undercover look into what life was like living underground for most of Britain’s government during World War II during the Blitz- strategic bombing of the United Kingdom by the Germans. 

There were personal stories throughout the museum from people who were a part of Churchill’s government.  These people recalled life with Churchill and their life underground.  Some rooms were replicated to their exact look during the time underground.  In a sense, Churchill was running the country from tiny and dark, yet safe, bunker.

Importance of the Cabinet War Rooms

Large map in the Cabinet Room

One of the most interesting parts of the War Rooms were the War Cabinet Rooms and the Map Rooms.  These rooms were used as a meeting place for the people of the cabinet where Churchill and his inner circle plotted the war. You can see the chair in which Churchill presided over meetings and the scratch marks on the arms showing the intense pressure he was under at these times. Along with this is the map room, which was amazing to see.  Huge walls were covered in world maps with the original markings and notes that the cabinet used.  Even the original doodle of Hitler that some men drew was on the map in the museum.  The Imperial War Museum website says, “In the Map Room, the informational hub of the entire site, everything has remained exactly as it was when the lights were finally switched off on 16 August 1945”. 

Part of a map in the Map Room

Replica of the Cabinet Rooms

The Hitler doodle on the map

Churchill's Room

Right next door to the Map Room was Churchill’s own bedroom. Churchill only slept overnight in this room on three occasions, but he did make four of his wartime speeches from the desk here, including his September 11, 1940 speech warning of Hitler’s plan to wage a war of terror against the United Kingdom.

Inside the War Rooms was the Churchill Museum commemorating his life.  It showed his family history and look into a more personal side of Winston Churchill.  The museum was covered in a plethora of quotes and facts about Churchill that gave more insight into what kind of man he was.

Before our walking tour of London by the greatest tour guide Dr. Paradis, some of us visited Abbey Road, made famous by The Beatles!

The famous picture of The Beatles

Nathaniel crossing Abbey Road

Haley and Erin crossing Abbey Road

After a walking tour of the Inns of Court and other historic monuments in London (which Brenda will blog about later!), we ended the night with an exquisite performance of the play “War Horse” at the New London Theater.  This play told the story of Albert and his horse Joey who both eventually go off to fight in World War I through a series of unfortunate events.  During the play, they did a great job reenacting World War I historically and accurately in showing the horrors of war.  The phenomenal puppetry of the horses made this live show feel like a reality with the help of some exceptional actors.    After a tearful ending for some, “War Horse” showed the overall impact that World War I had on not only Great Britain, but France, Germany, and the world itself. 

Joey and Albert in "War Horse"

War scene in "War Horse"