World War 2 in London gives images of the Blitz, barrage balloons in the sky and buildings in ruins. Thankfully London isn’t like that now, but there’s still a lot that you can see in the area, especially in the centre of the city.
While I’ve been to Westminster countless times, I don’t often think of it in terms of WWII but of course it was pivotal! It was where Churchill planned so much, including the D-Day invasion in Normandy that led the Allies to victory.
If you don’t know much about WW2 history, Sir Winston Churchill or even just London then a guided tour is a great idea as you’re led by someone who not only knows the history but is passionate about it!
In this guide to the best ww2 tours in London we’re looking at both group tours, which can be a lot cheaper but obviously busier, and private tours which are good if you don’t like crowds and want to get ALL your questions answered! Jump down to the private tours section by clicking this link here.
Our top choice:
The Historical London Walking Tour is our top choice for a group tour – it includes your tickets to the Churchill War Rooms which will just enhance any WW2 walking tour in London!
Note about Churchill War Rooms entry – sometimes entrance fees to the War Rooms are included in these tours, whether group of private. It’s worth noting that you don’t get a guide coming round the attraction with you, unless indicated, it’s just an extra part of the tour, normally added on the end. Still worth going round this London WW2 site, but it’s good to check what you’re getting before booking!
World War 2 tours in London – best group walking tours
1. Historical London Walking Tour & Cabinet War Rooms Entrance
Rated 4.5 out of 5 (349 reviews) | Run by City Wonders UK
Focusing around the Westminster area of London you’re in the right place to learn all about Churchill, WW2 and how politics made a difference to the war.
Your guides will show you around famous sights in central London such as Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Downing Street and Whitehall – all the while imparting knowledge of history including about World War 2.
Once the first part of the tour is over you’ll have your entrance tickets to the Cabinet War Rooms – this is where Prime Minister Winston Churchill ran the war effort and it’s a really interesting place! You’ll get an audio guide to help guide you round too.
Our guide was amazing! She was so knowledgeable and engaging! We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting London.
Review by Margaret_L – see more reviews here
2. Westminster in WWII Walking Tour
Rated 4.9 out of 5 (7 reviews) | Run by Urban Saunters Ltd
This guided tour around Westminster is a wonderful introduction to the buildings around the political centre of London with an eye on WW2!
The tour lasts for 1.5 hours and takes you to around some of the many WW2 monuments in the area, the houses of Parliament, Downing Street and Whitehall (government buildings). It ends outside the Cabinet War Rooms where the major decisions about the War were made!
If you are looking for a more budget tour or if you need more flexibility this is great as it doesn’t have the war rooms tickets – allowing you to decide on that once you’re there or include it on a different day of your London trip.
3. London: Winston Churchilll & World War II
Rated 4.4 out of 5 (12 reviews) | Run by Fun London Tours
You’ll check out some of London’s history during World War 2 on this tour as it takes you around the borough of Westminster. You’ll hear about the Blitz, which terrorised the residents of the city and the Prime Minister as he looked to triumph in war.
This is a group guided tour that takes around 1.5 hours of your time and will show you some of the most iconic sites in the centre while also giving you the background as it relates to the second world war.
It’s worth noting that like the previous tour, this one doesn’t include tickets to the Churchill War Rooms, but of course you could buy them separately.
WW2 tours in London – best private tours
These tours include much more than just wandering around Westminster (as enjoyable as that is) and you’ll get a much more personal and individual tour here. Perfect if you want to make the most of your time and learn as you explore!
4. Sir Winston Churchill Private Walking Tour & War Rooms
Rated 5.0 out of 5 (42 reviews) | Run by Ye Olde England Tours
This Winston Churchill London tour takes you to many of the haunts of Winston Churchill when he was Prime Minister of the UK during WW2. From some of the shops where he got his suits tailored and bought his cigars to quirky statues such as the one above on New Bond Street – you’ll learn a lot about him!
This private tour can be tailored to your needs and desires about what you want to learn about Churchill and World War 2 in London.
Finally, as part of the 4 hour walking tour, you’ll get entrance to the Churchill War Rooms – again this is a must see if you’re interested in this period of history and especially if you’re looking to learn more about Winston Churchill.
***** Excellent tour. Guide was outstanding: Very knowledgeable guide – Martin- who listens and related very well to us. One of the best guides we have ever had ( and we have had many over the years).
John_M – see more reviews here
5. Darkest Hour – Parliament and Churchill War Rooms Private Tour
Rated 5.0 out of 5 (15 reviews) | Run by Ye Olde England Tours
If you’re looking to add in some viewings of inside some of the most magnificent buildings in London then this private ww2 London tour is worth checking out as it also has admission to the Houses of Parliament – both the Houses of Commons and Lords.
Of course, this is where Churchill spoke regularly, as did Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister at the beginning of WW2.
On this 4-hour guided tour you’ll then explore Parliament Square outside and possibly see some people protesting – this is where people come to make themselves heard! It’s also where there are a lot of statues, including one of Winston Churchill.
Finally you’ll end at the Churchill War Rooms where you take an audio tour of the underground chambers.
6. London: World War II History in London Private Guided Tour
Rated 5.0 out of 5 (2 reviews) | Run by Rosotravel UK
This private, guided tour of London’s WW2 sights has quite a few options meaning you can tailor the trip to your needs and time available.
There are 2, 4 and 7 hour options available to you. The 2 hour one is a guide to some of the monuments and main sites and the other, longer tours include Skip-The-Line entrance to the Churchill War Rooms and also to the Imperial War Museum where they’ll guide you around. The IWM is a large place and there’s a lot to take in – a guide would make it much more easily accessible, especially if your sole interest is WW2.
The tour guides will tell you all about what you’re seeing on this tour, the important figures that were involved and what happened in the war years.
7. London: 3-Hour WW II Blitz Private Tour
Rated 5.0 out of 5 (1 review) | Run by Ye Olde England Tours
Another tour by Ye Olde England Tours, who run a few of these London WW2 tours is this one that focuses on the lesser known sites around London.
If you’re familiar with Westminster and want to know some other places that have been important in the second world war then this tour could be great for you.
It’s 3 hours long and will take you to many different spots in London including where a V2 rocket landed and caused devastation and an anti aircraft gun that sits in East London.
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