IWM is a global authority on conflict and its impact on people’s lives. We collect objects and stories that give an insight into people’s experiences of war, preserve them for future generations, and bring them to today’s audiences in the most powerful way possible. Our family of five museums uncover the causes, course and consequences of war, from the First World War through to present-day conflict.
IWM London first opened in 1917 whilst the First World War was still raging, and is the world’s leading museum of war and conflict. In 2023, it launched the new Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries, which explore the complex tension between creativity and destruction.
Also located in the capital are two fully immersive experiences: the London landmark, HMS Belfast, a historic warship on the River Thames; and The Churchill War Rooms, the underground nerve centre from where Churchill and the British government directed the Second World War.
The multi award-winning IWM North, situated in Manchester, brings the national collection to northern audiences, and was innovatively designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind to represent a globe shattered by conflict.
And lastly, IWM Duxford, a living air museum, where visitors can see historic aircraft take to the skies from our live runways, walk through iconic aircraft and get up close to a century of aviation. Duxford, this year, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day and will host a Battle of Britain Air Show.
These five museums together showcase IWM’s dedication to preserving and sharing the powerful stories of war and conflict and their impact on people’s lives.
Please visit our website at https://www.iwm.org.uk/.