Free entry to an interesting museum for both adults and children (Imperial War Museum (London))

Member Name: nixtee

Product:	Imperial War Museum (London)
Date:	08/11/08 (314 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting, activities for children, many exhibitions

Disadvantages: Can get very busy!

While on a recent visit to London, we decided to go to the Imperial War Museum in the Lambeth area of the city (south of the Thames). Unfortunately, it was half-term so the museum was heaving with people, but it just goes to show what a popular place it is.

A brief history of the museum...

The Imperial War Museum was formally established in 1920 after the war cabinet decided in 1917 that a museum should be set up to safeguard and display things relating to the Great War. The museum was originally in the Crystal Palace, but was moved to the former Bethlam Royal Hospital (Bedlam) in 1936. The museum's collection has since been extended to include things from World War 2 and other wars since.

Inside the museum...

Put your money away... you won't be needing it to enter the museum - It's free entry! However, I do think it's appropriate to leave a donation on the way out. We did, however, buy a programme as we entered, but it is optional. There is also a cloakroom, should you be carrying heavy coats and bags.

The main hall of the museum (the Large Exhibits Gallery) holds many military vehicles, aircraft and weapons. There are aircraft hanging from above, tanks, submarines, missiles and more. Each has a plaque to tell you what it is and what it has done. Some of these exhibits are interactive.

To the left of the main hall is the cafe. We didn't go in there (it was so busy!), but it does seem to be a popular place. As it was so busy, some had brought their trays out into the main hall and were sat eating picnic-like and that seemed to be OK with the museum staff.

To the right of the main hall is the museum shop. It has a wide range of books, DVDs, toys and gifts. Several items were tempting me to buy them! Toilets were down the stairs on this side of the museum (along with the Trenches exhibit), but were quite a trek. However, I did notice a few disabled toilets dotted about the museum.

There are a number of other permanent galleries around the museum. These include the First and Second World War Galleries, exhibits from Conflicts since 1945, the Victoria and George Cross Gallery, the Secret War exhibition, the Holocaust Exhibition and others.

I found the Holocaust Exhibition very moving. Various TV screens showed an interview with a Holocaust survivor, a Nazi video, among other things. We were shown what the Holocaust victims went through - the anti-semitism, the concentration and death camps, the gas chambers. It brought out feelings of sadness and anger. After all, these events happened in recent history!

The Imperial War Museum also holds a series of other exhibitions. One of the most popular current ones being "For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond", which is on until 1st March 2009. However, you do have to pay to get into this exhibition, but it's worth it if you're a fan. The exhibition shows manuscripts, clothing (including a 'blood-splattered' shirt worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale), a revolver, prototypes and more. This exhibition also helps visitors learn more about the Cold War.

Other current (as of November 2008) temporary exhibitions include "In Memoriam: Remembering the Great War" (this is what had attracted me to make a visit to the Imperial War Museum), "The Children's War" (the World War 2 home front through the eyes of children), "From War to Windrush" (personal stories of the involvement of black people from the West Indies in the 2 World Wars), "Unspeakable: The Artist as Witness to the Holocaust" (art by people affected by the Holocaust) and "Breakthrough" (artworks from both World Wars).

Other events are also held at the Imperial War Museum, including film screenings and talks.

During our visit in October half-term, there were several activities to keep children entertained and interested and, at the same time, learning.

The museum is on several floors, but all floors are accessibly to those with disabilities. There are stairs and lifts to access the various floors as well as seats dotted around the museum.

In all it took us 2 - 3 hours to get around the museum, but I was rushing a bit as I felt unwell at the time. So it's best to set aside up a whole morning or afternoon when visiting the museum.

There are also parks around the museum, if your feet can take any more walking!

Getting to the Imperial War Museum...

We took the tube to Lambeth North station and walked from there. It was only a couple of streets away and was very well signposted. On the way back, we carried on past Lambeth North station and onto the London Eye.

The Elephant & Castle tube station is the other side of the museum, but isn't far away either. Regular buses also pass by the museum.

Opening times...

The Imperial War Museum is open all year around (apart from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day), from 10am until 6pm.

My opinion...

This museum is well worth a visit. It is not only educational, but interesting too. None of the many kids there while I was there looked bored, but instead were taking great interest in the exhibitions and activities. Do note though that some of the exhibitions aren't really suitable for young children (such as the Holocaust exhibition), but you will be reminded of that when there.

I'd certainly consider visiting the Imperial War Museum again in the future.

Summary: Well worth visiting!