Imperial War Museum

The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is because there were no storm troopers. Would have liked to have seen a fragment from the Death Star, too. ;)

First off: free! (Except for the occasional exhibit: there were three temporary ones when I dropped by and only one cost money, others were free also). The WWI exhibit was superb and a must see, beautifully laid out and fascinating. Not too impressed with the WWII exhibit (not as well organized, not as interesting, in my opinion), especially in contrast with the WWI, but again, free. Visit the café, which, for a museum, was well priced and with excellent food options. There’s a tea room also. Free reliable WiFi.

A superb collection of war-​related exhibitions, focusing on WWs I and II. This visit we saw the ways the British at home coped with wartime life and shortages, including the slogan MAKE DO AND MEND, which may replace or at least join KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.
It’s a bit strange to see events that occurred during one’s one lifetime in an historical museum!

One of the highlights of my trip to London. Really found this museum fascinating. They had a small temporary exhibit about Afghanistan, tucked away in the back, that is worth checking out. However, the highlight for me was the World War 1 exhibit that includes an actual trench to give you a sense of what trench warfare was like.
An added bonus is their café (not to be confused with the tea room) on the ground floor is great. Good mix of fresh salads, roasted vegetables, pizza, and baked treats. The café deserves it’s own review.

Over the past ten years I have visited the Imperial War Museum London four times and was never once bored with its priceless collection of war-​related items.
Alas, in the name of teaching and didactics, the powers that be decided to completely overhaul the IWM (with the exception of the fabulous, slash, disturbing, Holocaust exhibit and the collection of paintings) — thereby significantly reducing the number and range of genuine items on display. Which I think is a pity. Yes, the «new» IWM boasts a more «approachable» display, with plenty of tables to read from and what amounts a a virtual self-​guided «tour» of WWI (when I visited!). School children will no doubt benefit from the new arrangement — adults, not so much. I was anxious to see the «new» IWM, but left a tad disappointed.
As before, the entire permanent collection is free (though temporary collections can clock in at hefty prices), and with the exception of the Holocaust exhibit (for obvious reasons) and the paintings (for much less obvious reasons) you’re allowed to take as many non-​flash photos as you’d like.
Three times I saw the Holocaust exhibit, and even though I’m not easily impressed, every time I left with tears in my eyes, shaken *and* stirred.
To get to the IWM, take the Bakerloo Line to Lambeth North and then walk for approx. 10 minutes. If you need to unwind after a visit to the IWM, and I bet you will, there’s a very nice pub on the corner of Lambeth Road and Kennington Road, «The Three Stags». They offer solid pub food and a good range of ales and lagers. When you exit the museum, turn left at the gate.
Even the new version of the IWM is a spectacular, not-​to-​be-​missed premium London attraction. Just slightly less so than before.

It’s a really cool museum for looking at war memoirs and artefacts. Its also free to the public. Best to go in the summertime as there is a small Park around the Museum. If anything, this would make a less crowded Park to enjoy the sun in when its sunny

My 100^th review! I was saving it for a special location, and I have selected London’s Imperial War Museum (IWM). I first came here in 1997 and then again in 2012, and it was every bit as fantastic as I had remembered it as a ten year old. There’s no cost to get in, although donations are appreciated. There are multiple stories of exhibitions and artifacts all relating to Great Britain’s involvement in war, as well as their armed services. The most haunting and evocative exhibit is the Holocaust one, which includes archival footage not suited for young children. However, there’s plenty for children to enjoy, and if I can remember being awed by this museum over fifteen years ago, it’s a testament to the IWM’s character.
At this museum, you can get up close to historical airplanes, uniforms, documents, and weaponry (all safely encased in glass!). One my favorite things to do here is to walk through a simulation of trench warfare and the blitzkrieg. Also, you can test your knowledge on military history and discover something entirely new.
This is the place where I discovered a passion for learning history. This is the place I began to think about humanity and society. This is, quite possibly, my favorite place in the world. Highly recommended!

We came to this museum perhaps with high expectations. Having lived in DC for many years now, we have come to appreciate history, no matter how bad it was. So it came as a big surprise to all of us when we (two adults and a six year old child) found this museum to be… well…underwhelming.
Sure, it was nice to see posters of British coalition soldiers in Iraq and their involvement in UN peacekeeping troops. It was very important to see the Brits liberating Bergen-​Belsen (the Holocaust Hall). But where, may I ask, are any exhibitions about the Boer War, the British Palestine Mandate, India of all places? All of them were conspicuously absent.
I realize that some parts of British imperial rule may be embarrassing but there’s absolutely no need to hide from it. Embrace it, show the young ones that they need to learn from their leaders’ mistakes.

Both my wife and I are peaceniks. I understand that we must know the situations, my wife operates at a more emotion level. We both enjoyed the IWM. Just a first rate museum. We must have visited at least a dozen museums on this trip and the War Museum is at the top. Super visuals and information. Loved it

We visited specifically for the Fashion on the Ration exhibit and ended up spending several hours here.
There is so much to see here that honestly I just ran out of energy before we covered everything. The World War One displays were incredibly dense, and the day we were there it was rather crowded, so navigating that floor was a challenge. The other floors were far easier to maneuver and less crowded.

Meilleur musée de guerre du monde
Super musée, vous rentrez et vous voyez tout de suite des tanks, des avions de guerre au plafond, des missiles de la seconde guerre mondiale, un petit sous marin. Ensuite les galeries sont des albums photos de la seconde guerre mondiale avec des tranchés et une salle plus qu’émouvante et choquante sur l’holocauste, j’ai eu du mal à contenir mes larmes et mon dépit en découvrant cette partie du musée mais c’est tellement bien raconté. Des témoignages des rescapés des camps également. Gratuit.

Spectaculaire, mais sur un sujet particulier
Le musée de la guerre est un peu excentré à Londres, mais possède des collections spectaculaires, avec par exemple un V2 ou un simulateur de vol de Spitfire, et complètes, avec des masses d’objets et documents sur les deux guerres mondiales. Cela vaut le coup d’y jeter un coup d’oeil, mais il n’est guère possible de le visiter dans son intégralité, sauf à avoir vraiment beaucoup de temps… Note: ⁷⁄₁₀.

si le sujet vous intéresse
Musée très complet mais un peu trop guindé. Mais pour les passionnés, quelles mine de renseignements, on peut y passer des heures et les commentaires sont très intéressants.