Plan Your Visit
- Open every day 10am – 6pm, including Bank Holidays
- Last admission is at 5.30pm
- Closed 24, 25, and 26 December
- Some temporary exhibitions charge. Concession tickets are available for Seniors, Students, and the unemployed.
- Contact us at 020 7416 5000 or through the customer portal. International callers can contact us at +44 (0)20 7416 5000
- Book an appointment in IWM London's Research Room
- Museum map
How to get to IWM London
To plan your journey visit tfl.gov.uk. IWM London is easily accessible by public transport.
Nearest tube stations
- Lambeth North (Bakerloo line) 5 min walk
- Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee and Northern lines) 10-15 min walk
- Elephant & Castle (Bakerloo and Northern lines) 10-15 min walk
All are a short walk or bus ride from the museum. To plan your journey visit the TfL website.
Map and travel information.
Visiting us by bus
Local bus routes: 3, 12, 53, 59, 148, 159, 344, 360, 453 and C10.
Nearest train stations
- London Waterloo and Waterloo East (15 mins)
- Elephant and Castle (15 mins)
To check train times and plan your journey visit National Rail.
Visiting us by car or coach
IWM London is located in Zone 1 of Central London within the Congestion Charge zone and there is limited parking near the museum.
There are NCP car parks nearby in Waterloo and Elephant & Castle.
Free parking for blue badge holders. To book in advance of your visit, please get in touch. Parking must be booked two working days in advance and bookings for Monday need to be made by Friday at 5pm. Bookings can also be made by calling 020 7416 5000. Spaces are limited and subject to availability.
If you are travelling by coach there are metered coach bays located directly in front of the museum.
There is a coach parking map available from TFL.
Accessibility at IWM London.
Walking and cycling
See the Transport for London cycling website for details. Cycle Hire Scheme docking stations:
- Lambeth Road
- St George’s Road
Visit the Sustrans website for further information on London Cycle Routes.
How long will you stay?
There is a lot to see and we recommend that you allow a minimum of two and a half hours for your visit. However, with our new galleries, exhibitions and on-site cafés and shops, lots of people will come for half-a day or more.
Find out what to see at IWM London
- First World War galleries – approx. 90 minutes
- New atrium, Witnesses to War and levels 1 and 2 – approx. 2 hours
- Holocaust – approx. 90 minutes
Access
For help planning your visit see our Accessibility information.
Lockers and luggage
Locker facilities and buggy locks are available.
We regret that we are unable to store large items of luggage or suitcases and these are not permitted in the galleries. The nearest left luggage facility is at Waterloo Station.
Eating and drinking
- Our Cafe is open every day 10am - 5.30pm
- The Park View Room is open during peak summer months
Our Café serves a range of handmade British food freshly prepared every day.
Seasonal food including stone baked sourdough pizzas, hearty burgers from our charcoal grill, healthy salads and fresh specialty sandwiches are all available as well as classic British puddings and healthy snacks such as stuffed mini pittas for kids.
You can enjoy dining outside on our new park-side terrace with a selection of seasonal salads, handmade ice creams, Peyton and Bryne Original Tea Blends and home-baked cakes and pastries.
The Park View Room is open during our busy periods and you can enjoy a delicious Cream Tea with fresh scones, jam and clotted cream or a Classic Afternoon Tea with a selection of finger sandwiches and cakes.
Toilets
Accessible toilets are available on all floors except Levels 4 and 5.
There are baby changing facilities in every bathroom at the Museum. Please ask a member of staff to point out the nearest bathroom to you.
Tours and talks
Private tours
Our exclusive private tours are held both during and outside of public opening hours, giving you access to our galleries and collections with an expert guide.
Free talks and activities
- Clore Learning trolleys on the galleries – every Sunday from 20 July 2014
- Special Family activities across key holidays including Summer holidays, half-terms and Christmas (daytime: normally 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm)
- On many days we offer free short Gallery Talks on key objects and stories from our collections. Ask for details at the Information Desk.
Family visits
IWM London has drop-in activities for families on selected weekends and school holidays, which are designed to suit a range of abilities.
See exhibitions and events or check What’s On at the One Stop Shop on levels 0 – 2 on your arrival.
The Picnic Room is open for use by the public at weekends and during school holidays.
Filming and photography
You are welcome to take photos and films as part of your visit. Please feel free to use these for your personal, non-commercial use. Please can you:
- avoid the use of flash and tripods
- avoid taking photos or filming people without permission
- avoid taking photos of children without permission from their parent or guardian
- look out for signs telling you where photography or filming is not allowed
- ask at the Information Desk if you wish to take photographs or film for commercial use
Groups and schools
If you're planning a group visit or a school trip see our Groups and Schools.
Shopping at IWM London
IWM London's shop provides a range of books, CDs, DVDs, clothing and accessories, posters and stationary, souvenirs and gift ideas.
We sell a range of children's games, toys, souvenirs and books. There are also educational resource materials and children's activity books on sale.
You can also browse our range of products on our Online Shop.
Things to see and do in the area
IWM London is a short bus ride from Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast. It is also close to other tourist attractions and arts venues including the EDF London Eye, London’s Southbank and The Shard.
For further information about places to visit and where to stay, see Visit London.
Our Collections
If you have a question about our collections, want to donate an item or are carrying out your own research, visit our Enquiries page.
Support Us
IWM is a charity, and we depend on supporters like you to help us care for and display our exceptional Collections. Donate to IWM.
Eating And Drinking
IWM London's café serves a range of handmade British food freshly prepared every day including stone baked pizzas, healthy salads and snacks, fresh sandwiches and classic British puddings.
IWM Shop
View our gifts and books inspired by the First World War.