Museums of London- The Imperial War Museum (IWM)
After a few years of wanting to visit the Imperial War Museum (IWM) in London, I finally went in September 2019. The museum is roughly a 15- minute walk from Lambeth North tube station, which is one stop away from Waterloo and served by the Bakerloo line. This wasn’t a very exciting part of Central if I’m honest compared to City of London in terms of sights. The ceiling of the tube station was mouldy. And, there was a lift which has a capacity of 50 people at one time which I imagine gets very crowded during rush hour.
However, the IWM was the complete opposite. The building and garden really impressed me. As you approach the IWM, the first thing you notice is the large anti- air gun statue outside the museum pointing straight at you. The museum itself is free entry, although there are a few premium exhibitions and tours you can pay for. But this review will discuss the free exhibitions which include the two World Wars and post WW2.
IWM London is one of five IWM’s in the UK. The others are IWM Duxford in Cambridge; IWM North in Manchester; and HMS Belfast and the Churchill War Rooms in London. They are perfect for modern history enthusiasts with an interest in past wars. You could visit here as part of a group outing, or if you really want to make the most of your time here, then it’s better to go solo. I did the latter so I could spend more time at the different exhibitions. Personally, its ideal to spend roughly three to four hours here and I’d recommend coming here more than once.
The Museum
Before coming, I didn’t look on the website or look at any photos so when I came, which it made it more of a surprise. I was expecting the inside to have a vintage feel to it based on what I saw outside, but it was the complete opposite. The interior was very modern, with the décor having a grey colour scheme, giving it a more military feel which I absolutely loved. The fighter planes such as the RAF Spitfire suspended from the ceilings also contributed to this. Bathrooms and maps are found in the atrium of the museum, and there are also exhibits from the War on Terror.
I liked the open floor plan because it contributed to the modern feel of the museum. Signs were clearly placed so it was easy to navigate around the museum, and staff were helpful when it came to finding directions. As it was early September, most children had gone back to school, so I didn’t see many families. Most of the people I saw were solo travellers and older people.
IWM Exhibitions
The exhibitions were walkthrough, complete with lots of interesting information which made it a great learning experience about. Parts of the exhibitions were dimly lit and had videos, battlefield sound effects and old music playing in the background allowing for a more immersive experience. The exhibits were well presented, and the information associated with them was easy to understand. There were a few interactive exhibits such as walk in cockpits and a small walk in house.
First World War Galleries
The First World War Galleries were one of the main attractions, so it’s no surprise that I spent most of my time here. It was one of the busiest exhibitions too. Compared to the exhibitions on the second floor, I found this one more immersive because there were videos of trench warfare playing as you walk through, while being surrounded with battlefield sounds. Exhibits included soldier’s armour, weaponry including tanks and propaganda. There was even a mini walkthrough trench complete with a British tank, battlefield sound effects and shadows of soldiers.
IWM Gift Shop
There is also a gift shop that sells books and other small souvenirs such as pens, mugs, and tote bags. The LIMIT Lancaster Crew watch was one of the gifts that caught my eye. There are a few expensive gifts too such as Spitfire cuff-links and leather backpacks.
Verdict
Overall, I felt this museum lives up to its reputation as one of London’s top museums. It’s perfect for history enthusiasts and history students as it makes learning about past wars more alive in addition with textbooks and academic sources. Like with other museums, it’s worth visiting more than once as exhibitions are always changing, plus its always worth coming back if you missed something.
To find out more about IWM London:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-london
For directions to IWM London:
https://goo.gl/maps/sHSKxQHzYdtvPpCs6
To find out more about the IWM Shop: