The Imperial War Museum London (IWM London) is one of the best museums in London, offering a fascinating and immersive look at military history, conflict, and its impact on society. As one of the top free museums in London, it’s a must-visit for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking for things to do in London near Waterloo.
Despite living close to London, we had never visited the Imperial War Museum until recently. We stumbled upon it while searching for free things to do near Waterloo before attending a matinée performance of Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall. I was delighted to discover that the Imperial War Museum is free to visit, making it a perfect addition to our day out in London. Even better, it’s just a short walk from Waterloo Station.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visiting the Imperial War Museum, including how to get there, the best exhibits to explore, nearby restaurants, and other top attractions in the area. Whether you’re planning a solo visit, a family trip, or a historical day out, this post will help you make the most of your experience at one of London’s top museums.
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Arrival at the Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum London (IWM London) is housed in a stunning historic building that once served as Bethlem Royal Hospital. Originally established in 1247, it is the world’s oldest psychiatric hospital.
As we arrived, we were immediately struck by the sight of two massive naval guns standing proudly at the museum’s entrance—an impressive and imposing welcome! These 15-inch guns, originally built during World War I, once belonged to the British naval ships HMS Ramillies and HMS Resolution. Of course, we couldn’t resist stopping for a quick photo before stepping inside to explore the museum’s incredible exhibits.
Our visit to the Imperial War Museum
As you enter, the first thing that strikes you is the Spitfire and Harrier planes suspended from ceiling. You’ll also spot military vehicles on the ground floor, plus one that appears to be crashing over the balcony.
The museum is one of the world’s leading war museums, home to one of the largest collections of military equipment and artifacts. It is part of a network of five Imperial War Museums across the UK, dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of conflict and its impact.
As you step inside, you’re immediately greeted by an awe-inspiring sight—an iconic Spitfire and Harrier jet suspended dramatically from the ceiling. On the ground floor, you’ll find a display of military vehicles, including tanks and artillery. You’ll even see one exhibit which appears to be crashing over the balcony.
Spread across five floors, the London IWM is divided into various exhibitions, with collections from the different wars. The museum features both permanent exhibitions and temporary displays, covering major global conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Falklands War, the Korean War, and the conflicts in Yugoslavia.
We began our visit with the WWI and WWII galleries, two of the museum’s most immersive permanent exhibitions. These powerful displays bring history to life through original artifacts, interactive exhibits, and deeply moving personal accounts. We spent around two hours exploring the museum, but with so much to see, you could easily spend an entire day.
Each exhibition at the Imperial War Museum provides a step-by-step journey through history, detailing how conflicts began, unfolded and impacted the world. Display cabinets showcase an array of wartime artifacts, including badges, flags, personal mementos, weapons, ammunition, and military uniforms.
As well as displays, the museum brings history to life through powerful video footage of wartime events and the personal accounts of those who served. First-hand survivor stories provide a moving insight into the realities of war, making the experience both educational and thought-provoking.
London’s IWM is also incredibly family-friendly, with interactive exhibits and activities for children. During our visit at Easter, the kids engaged in a food quiz, with a chocolate prize!
Before leaving we visited the Holocaust Exhibition. This deeply moving exhibit presents the realities of the Holocaust through survivor testimonies, photographs, and historical artifacts. As you’d expect this was extremely harrowing and shocking. It’s not suitable for younger children, but was an eye-opening and educational experience for us and our teenagers.
We were all incredibly impressed with London’s Imperial War Museum. Despite spending two hours exploring, we barely scratched the surface, giving us the perfect excuse to return!
The museum is well-presented, engaging, and highly informative, making it an excellent place to visit. It’s a fantastic place for history enthusiasts, but equally enjoyable for anyone looking for a day out in London.
Best of all, like many of the top museums in London, entry is completely free, making it an excellent choice for a budget-friendly day out.
Other things to do near Waterloo Station
After our fascinating visit to the war museum, we made our way to County Hall to see the theatre production of Witness for the Prosecution. This Agatha Christie whodunnit is rather unique, as the audience sit in the courtroom. Some onlookers are even part of the jury. It’s a captivating murder mystery play, with a typical Christie twist at the end (no spoilers here!).
The show is perfect for older children and teens, and if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option you can get discounted tickets in the galleries. Since the courtroom setting is relatively small, even these seats offer a great view of the performance.
To complete our day out in London, we took a leisurely stroll along the South Bank. No matter how many times we visit London, I never tire of walking this stretch of the River Thames, even if it can get busy at times. Here, you’ll find stunning views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, as well as some of London’s top attractions, including the London Eye.
One of our favourite tourist attractions, the London Dungeon is also along this stretch of the river. However, if you’re visiting with younger children, they might prefer the fun and interactive experience of Shrek’s Adventure!
Read more: How to spend a weekend in London with kids
Know before you go
Where is London's Imperial War Museum?
The Imperial War Museum is in Lambeth, not far from Elephant and Castle. It is on the south of the River Thames and not far from some of London’s top attractions. The postcode for the museum is SE1 6HZ.
How to get to the Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum is less than a mile from London Waterloo station and takes about 15 minutes to walk. It is an easy route, which is mostly on Waterloo Road.
The nearest tube stations are Lambeth North (7 minutes’ walk) and Elephant and Castle (10 minutes’ walk), both of which are on the Bakerloo line.
Opening Times
The Imperial War Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free, though they do welcome donations to support the museum.
You don’t have to book, though at busy times this would guarantee you don’t have to wait. I recommend going early or on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Places to eat at the Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum has its own café, offering inside and outdoor seating. The menu includes a selection of light lunches, such as sandwiches, pizzas, and burgers from 10am.
You’ll also find a good choice of places to eat on the Waterloo Road. We chose to stop at Wahaca Waterloo, a vibrant restaurant serving Mexican street food. Although it looks small from the outside, it actually has a spacious basement dining area, so don’t be put off from the outside.
How long do you need to visit the Imperial War Museum?
We spent about 2 hours at the museum, but had probably only seen half the exhibits. There’s plenty to read and watch, so you could easily spend 3-4 hours.
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