Permanent

Churchill War Rooms

Life underground

Two men observe a museum exhibit titled "A Safe Refuge" featuring historical items, photos and text on a green display.
©IWM

For six years, hundreds of men and women would spend thousands of hours working and sleeping in the Cabinet War Rooms.

This small exhibition, is located opposite the Transatlantic Telephone Room and just before the entrance to the Churchill Museum. 

Discover stories and objects that provide a glimpse into the life of the people who set up this secret site, kept it secure, and worked here in a variety of roles. 

Highlights

  • Remington ‘noiseless’ Typewriter used at Churchill War Rooms
    © IWM (COM 1076)

    Noiseless Typewriter

    Churchill hated all noise distractions, so specially adapted typewriters were imported from the United States to be used by secretaries.

  • Letter written by Edith Florence Cochrane (known as 'Peggy', later Gibson) to her boyfriend/fiancé (later husband), Signalman Ronald Gibson (May - June 1944, March - November 1945)
    © Stephen Gibson

    Untold Stories

    Sleeping down in the ‘dock’, working 110 hours a week, and using sun lamps to substitute sunshine, discover stories from inside the War Rooms.

  • CWR Pass
    © IWM 10250

    Tight Security

    While open to the public today, during the war you would have needed a special pass to gain access to the War Rooms.