Imperial War Museum London

The Imperial War Museum London is a military history museum in Southwark, housed in a former hospital building with a striking dome and two wings. The halls display vehicles such as tanks and aircraft, while thematic galleries focus on the World Wars and later conflicts.

The government established the institution in 1917 to document Britain's role in the First World War and promote understanding of the impact of war. The building on Lambeth Road was occupied in 1936 after the former Bethlem Royal Hospital relocated to another site.

The galleries bring daily life during 20th-century conflicts closer to visitors, with letters, diaries, and personal belongings from soldiers and civilians. The name recalls the British Empire at the time of founding, while the collection today shows perspectives from different countries and social backgrounds.

Admission is free, and all floors are accessible by lifts, making the visit easier for wheelchair users and families with prams. Mornings and weekdays are quieter than weekend afternoons, when school groups and families fill the exhibitions.

The collection contains over 3,000 rare color photographs from the Second World War, taken on Kodachrome film by the British Ministry of Information. These images give an unusually vivid impression of wartime, as most photographs from that era exist in black and white.

Location: London Borough of Southwark

Inception: 1917

Founders: Alfred Mond, 1st Baron Melchett

Official opening: 1917

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: No

Part of: Imperial War Museums

Address: Lambeth Road

Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00; December 24-26 off

Phone: +442074165000

Website: https://iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-london

GPS coordinates: 51.49583,-0.10866

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:57