InfoBritain

 

Britain At War Experience

The Britain At War Museum aims to recreate the experience of living in London during The Second World War. There is a recreation of the London blitz using a range of special effects. A section of the London Underground air raid shelter has been preserved. A BBC radio studio features broadcasts by Winston Churchill, Neville Chamberlain, Theodore Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler. Wartime newsreels can be viewed in an underground cinema. There is a wide range of other displays on subjects related to the war, and a large collection of artefacts to view.This is an imaginative and evocative presentation of history, and is designed to support the National Curriculum.

 

For me the one thing that made the most impact at the Britain At War Experience was a poster of a soldier, who was pointing at me and asking "Is Your Journey Really Necessary?" This was an almost metaphysical question for an historical tourist like me! Wartime was full of movement, of armies, ships, aircraft, refugees, evacuees, but there was no tourism. It really made me appreciate unnecessary journeys. I felt that if I ever became downhearted and felt I was on an unnecessary journey, I'd remember this poster and feel encouraged. Better to be going on a daytrip than invading Poland.

Directions: The Britain At War Experience is in Tooley Street, on the south bank of the Thames. From London Bridge station walk east along the Thames Path until you reach Hays Galleria. Walk through Hays Galleria. As you come out of Hays Galleria you will see the Britain At War Experience on the opposite side of Tooley Street. Click here for an interactive map centred on the Britain At War Experience.

Opening Times: 10am - 5pm October to March and 10am - 6pm, April to September. The museum is open daily except for the period 24th -26th December.

Access: wheelchair access is good,and there are adapted toilet facilities.

Contact:

web site: http://www.britainatwar.co.uk

phone: 020 7403 3171