Date of visit: 3 June 2015 @ 2pm
Cost: GBP 18 (entrance fees) + GBP 5 for visitors guide
Free audio guide provided
The Rooms first became operational at the end of 1939, but only really came into use after Winston Churchill became Prime Minister. The War Cabinet Room was the scene of numerous crucial meetings held by Churchill during the Blitz, as above ground, Luftwaffe tried to devastate London.
The Rooms have been maintained as it were in 16 August 1945 when the final light goes out in these subterranean rooms after the war ended. It is situated in the basement storage rooms under the Office of Works and the Boards of Trade.
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| War Cabinet Room |
The gallery starts off with the War Cabinet Room. The room's red girders on the ceiling were there to support the ceiling.
The red box on the table is Churchill's, full with state papers that he brought along with him everywhere.
Churchill suite in the bunker. Simple but yet functional. He liked having his wife nearby, hence a room was set aside for Clementine next door to his own. How sweet!
Look at that pink bed cover!
The most amazing room was the Map Room. It was staffed by one officer each of the Royal Air Force, the Army and the Royal Navy, 24 hours every day from August 1939 to August 1945. Each day by 8pm the map room officers produced a daily summary of the war for the King, Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff. Unfortunately, my camera failed on me and I have no pictures of the room. Sad :(
But there's one fun fact about that room. On the desk of the Chief Map Room Officer is an envelope marked with his name with 3 rationed sugar cubes in it. It was to avoid the sugar being taken by other people. How cute!
Next, to Churchill Museum where it illustrated Churchill's life from birth to his death on 24 January 1965 at the age of 90. He was given a State Funeral which was quite awesome for a commoner. There's a video showing his funeral procession in the gallery.
There's one thing struck me though, did you know that Winston Churchill lost his General Election of 1945 mere months after winning the war for Britons. An 'ungrateful nation' as he put it in his book, after years of inspirational leadership in the war against Hitler (I directly quoted this from the guide). I wonder what went through his mind when he lost the election. Poor man!
I love how the museum has a 15-metre long interactive table chronicling the life and times of Winston Churchill. You just need to click the date and the details & photos will be shown.
After looking at the details of his life, I believe Winston Churchill is one of the greatest statesmen and a war hero. '
'We shall fight on the beaches'
'This was their finest hour'
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