Britain At War Museum Charitable Trust

March 2012
The horrors of Pearl Harbor in 1941 remain very firmly a part of American history. For Americans, imagine Pearl Harbor taking place over one year earlier, at night, more than 70 times, over the next nine months. For Brits, The Blitz, was a time when Britain’s survival hung in the balance, held together by the heroic efforts of a small number of airmen and thousands of civilian rescue workers, fireman, emergency workers and health care professionals. Everyone was affected and everyone chipped in. The Britain at War Museum is one of the finest tributes to their story.
On your approach to the museum, one just needs to admire the signage and billboards on Tooley Street, just to the right of London Bridge Station on exiting. As you step closer, you hear the strains of music from a Bygone Era that instantly transports you back to 1940 – 1941. The melodies of George Formby, Gracie Fields and «Forces Sweetheart,» Vera Lynn reach your ears as you purchase your ticket. Upon entry, you’re instantly struck by all the paraphernalia anyone could dream of from the Second World War on the British Homefront. Vintage products of the period, including staples like Marmite and Lyle’s Golden Syrup, to full period uniforms of those in the Armed Forces, Fire Brigade and emergency services, are on open display. The exhibits are for everyone, from children of all ages to those who were actually there and remember. My sister and six year old niece, visiting from America, were spellbound by the museum, with hands-​on items to entertain children, including hats, uniforms and vintage
telecommunications displays. Walls adorned with photographs, from the Royal Family to the armed forces, to the civilians who defined the «Blitz Spirit,» are quite tastefully placed to give a theme. Of greater poignancy, are the letters and placards describing the human story behind each display.
As one explores further in the museum, life on the Homefront in seen in even more vivid detail, with mannequins in full wartime dress and period settings. One of the greatest opportunities here is the rare chance to sit inside an Anderson Shelter, a corrugated metal air raid shelter purchased by some families and partially buried in their gardens for refuge during the next Luftwaffe attack. Sitting inside this shelter, with the sound of Luftwaffe and Spitfire planes overhead, bullets raining down, bombs dropping and air raid sirens, one genuinely gets an idea of life during this period. However, as one continues through the remainder of this 1940s time capsule, the grand finale comes in a most dramatic way.
Entering through a door toward the end of the museum tour, one is transported back to a scene from The Blitz in an extraordinary, meticulous re-​creation of London under attack. Blaring air raid sirens, a scene of bombed out buildings and homes, planes roaring overhead with bombs detonating, and rescue efforts underway, leave an unforgettable legacy for not only this outstanding museum, but to the people who lived through to share their heroic tales.
A visit to the Britain at War museum is an absolute must for anyone wishing to experience, first-​hand, life on the homefront during the Second World War when Britain was at war. During both of my visits and the many times I’ve passed by the museum over the years, it’s always left such a positive impression. For my sister, this was her favourite museum and my niece still remembers the Blitz Experience. The Britain at War Museum offers a very personal perspective that other museums cannot and is very unique among the many thousands of places one may visit across London.
Update — August 2015: Since the Britain at War Museum sadly was shut in 2014 to make way for Transport for London renovations, the Imperial War Museum now apparently has possession of the vast array of artifacts and collectibles that were once housed within. It is hoped they soon make use of these items in a new section of the renovated IWM, in one of its satellite locations, or in a new Britain at War Museum.

Absolutely loved this place, History is one of my favourite subjects and specifically the World Wars. This WWII museum was worth every penny of the experience, the staff were knowledgeable, there was so much to do and see and learn.
It was like stepping back into a bomb site in one room, and the displays were totally magnificently realistic.
Will definitely come back! Great day out!

This is a serious must see for tourists and natives alike. The Britain at War Museum has all the appeal of an American road side attraction with its hands-​on approach to history.
During my best friend’s visit to London her and her husband insisted that we go to the museum after they’d read about it somewhere. I didn’t want to argue but I was a bit weary as I hadn’t heard much about it before.
I instantly fell in love with the place when I stepped inside. You start by stepping into a mock lift (disneyworld haunted mansion style) that transports you back in time and down to the depths of the tube during the London Blitz!
There is plenty to see, touch and try-​on here with some wacky yet tragically incinerated mannequins.
Take the kids, don’t take the kids but please don’t miss this intriguing museum that takes you back to the days of the blitz with its kitch donations from loving patrons.

Sehr sehr beeindruckend und realitätsnah, fast schon gruselig. Es wurde sehr viel wert auf Atmosphäre gelegt und diese wirkt mit etwas Phanatsie sehr wirklich. Es wird nicht umsonst mit «war experience» beworben.
Man merkt, dass diese Ausstellung schon einige Jahre hinter sich hat, ansonsten darf man aber auch nicht vergessen, dass die Kriegsatmosphäre imitiert wird. Besonders beeindruckend fand ich die alten Werbeplakate und das Spielzeug im Glaskasten.
Der Eintritt ist mit rund 20 Pfund sehr teuer und vielleicht nicht für jeden gerechtfertigt, wenn man aber noch nie dort war und sich für den zweiten Weltkrieg interessiert, kann ich einen Besuch nur empfehlen. Wenn man sich alles einmal ganz genau anschaut, reicht ein Besuch, da das Museum recht übersichtlich ist.

I love a bit of history, but this museum seemed overpriced and tatty. It’s also a bit spooky. I’d rather go to the Imperial War Museum which is free and better, or the Cabinet War Rooms which are the real deal. I wouldn’t reccomend this to anyone I know.

Very informative museum. Small but does the job, really enjoyed the mock up trenches and bombed out houses

This is one of the best museums I have ever been to with my children. To get to it we walked past the massive queues at the Dungeons and straight into the museum on the next corner.
Entrance was very reasonable especially considering the time we spent in there. A brilliant place for children to learn about the second world war. We sat and watched some films which were all good but especially the ones showing London in the blitz. Loads of other war memorabilia but you also get to ‘walk through the Blitz’ which wasnt too scary for little children but enough to make you realise a little what is was like back then.
You end up in a small gift shop which was reasonably priced and some nice quality items in there, also a lot of WWII books ideal for children. Would definately recommend it to families and adults alike.

Hier erlebt man realitätsnah, wie das Leben zu dieser Zeit wirklich war. The Britain At War Experience erweckt die Angriffe auf London
zu neuem Leben. Mit all seiner Wut, selbst der Rauch und Qualm während des Angriffs sind spür– und sichtbar mit Hilfe von Spezialeffekten. Weitere aufschlussreiche Informationen über die Kriegszeit erhalten Sie im unterirdischen Kino sowie auf den Gedenktafeln.
Preislich leider auf dem höheren Niveau und auch nicht gerade für kleinere Kinder geeignet
Öffnungszeiten
Montag bis Sonntag
Oktober — März 10.00 bis 16.30 Uhr
April — September 10.00 bis 17.30 Uhr
Preise
Erwachsene £10.45
Kinder £4.85
Konzessionen £5.75

Ich liebe dieses Museum geradezu– zeigt es doch sehr plastisch, wie sich London zu Zeiten des Krieges anfühlte. Nicht nur, das dort originalgetreu eine U-​Bahnstation nachgebaut ist, man kann hier London auch riechen! Weiß der Geier, wie die das hinbekommen haben!
Mit einem Aufzug fährt man hinunter zur alten Tube-​Station, mitten im Krieg. Hier erfährt man am eigenen Leib, wie es gewesen sein muss, während der Luftangriffe dort Zuflucht gesucht zu haben.
Weiter geht es zur Wochenschau im Underground Cinema–
Zeitgenössische Berichte vermitteln hier, wie es damals war.
Im Rainbow Corner können wir so tun, als ob wir GIs wären, die im London der 40er Ablenkung suchten.
Der Anderson shelter (Bunker): Hier kann man erleben, wie sich die Londoner gefühlt haben müssen, als die Fliegerbomben auf die Stadt fielen. Nicht ohne Grund wird vor dem Eingang gewarnt, das sich diese experience nicht für Menschen mit Platzangst oder traumatischen Kriegserlebnissen eigne!
Verlassen wir nun den Bunker stehen wir mitten im brennenden London! Flammern lodern, ein umgestürzter Kinderwagen, ein Baby schreit! Beklemmend realistisch. Das Grauen des Krieges wird hier recht drastisch vermittelt.
Es geht weiter– vorbei an Schaufenstern und einem Geschäft, dekoriert mit Artikeln des täglichen Lebens zu dieser Zeit.
Alles in allem, für mich ein absolutes must see!
Der Eintrittspreis ist mit £10.45 (Kinder £4.95) nicht gerade das, was man preiswert nennt– aber absolut seinen Preis wert!
Auf der Website kann man sich einen Gutschein ausdrucken, so spart man £1.50 als Erwachsener und £1 für Kinder.

Absolutely Brilliant!!!
This was easily worth the price of admission and such a good experience, the trenches set was great and some of the pieces are just priceless. If you have to choose between The London Dungeon and this, go to this one; enjoyed it so much!

Britain at War is a great place to spend a couple of hours. There is a lot to read but it is successful in taking you back to the 1940’s and experience how life was then. It’s good for kids too with real war-​time costumes for them to play dress-​up. The ticket price is reasonable and you get some great experiences like sitting in air raid shelters and hearing all the war sounds buzzing around you. It’s a interesting day out.