Going to London... any must see sites I'm missing?

I'm going to be in London for 2-3 days in about a week. I'm hoping to make some time to checkout some of the WW2 sites while I'm there. This is my first time to anywhere in Europe so I'm excited.

What I'm planning to see so far is:

-RAF Museum (north of London)
-Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
-Imperial War Museum

I'm hoping to find some lesser known things to see. I'm sure most, if not all, damage has been since repaired. Anything else I should add?

Thanks in advance.

 

Good choices for a quick visit mate.
If and when you inevitably find yourself in Horseguards (The cabinet war rooms are very nearby), glance around the parade ground at the large incongruous concrete structure almost completely covered in Ivy & attached to the left of the Admiralty.
This is one of the 'citadels', constructed as strong-points during the war, and if necessary envisioned as the last points of armed resistance if invasion came.

You can't get in as it's still in use but it sometimes provides a chilling reminder of how great the threat was and how seriously it was taken.

Hope you enjoy your visit!

Cheers,
Adam.

 

I think there is a Battle of Britain memorial along the Thames near Parliament.

 

RAF Museum at Hendon
There is also a science and technology museum over towards Heathrow Airport that has some neat stuff like original cavity magnetrons and such of interest from the WW 2 period.

 

This is abit different to what the other member's had mentioned.
I would go to the english coast side and have a look towards Germany.
You can imagine for you're self seeing Germans navy and luffuwaffe prepairing for an invasion.Well i always thought of doing that.
Just a suggestion for you. Have a great time in England!
Cheers.

 

While you're at Hendon, be sure also to visit the Battle of Britain Museum - it's in a separate building near the RAF Museum.

HMS Belfast is worth a visit, also gives you a different perspective of the city.

 

As others have said, the RAF Museum at Hendon is really essential. It's easily accessible by Underground train ( Colindale station ) and I'd advise leaving yourself quite a bit of time. The IWM is of course very good.

The last of the 'bomb-sites' in Central London were cleared and developed during the recent 'property boom' and the few which are left are well away from the normal tourist areas.

HMS Belfast is a good suggestion and, again, easy to get to ( Tower Hill underground ). A thought - if you're interested in an obscure 'Blitz' site, walk to Stainer Street which is about 5 minutes from HMS Belfast. The street is a tunnel beneath London Bridge station. It was used as a shelter during the Blitz and in February 1941 a German bomb penetrated the tunnel roof. 68 people died. A 'blue plaque' on the wall at the far end commemorates the incident......

 

Here is a handy link to give you a few ideas for places to visit (other then museums) - and there are a few pubs included which is always a bonus!

Top Military-related interesting London sights

 

I recommend the HMS Belfast on the Thames near the Towerbridge

 

The IWM (Bedlam, Belfast and Duxford) is a must for any WW2 fan, but I have a a fond memory of the Army museum, it had a very friedly atmosphere with knowleadgable people willing to explain things to you.
Last time I went to London the RAF museum had the advantage of being reachable by underground which Duxford was not, don't know if it's still true.

National Army Museum

 

Duxford is a fantastic place to visit at any time - but it is difficult to reach by public transport ; and if you do, you'll run out of time.

For Duxford, you really need access to 'wheels'....

 

I would love to see some pics of wherever you visit!!n
Have a great trip!!

 

Duxford is a great place to visit and if you have the time to put a day aside then it is well worth a visit. If you don't have a car then to reach it by train go to London Kings Cross station and catch the fast train to Cambridge which takes about 55 minutes (usually depart London at quarter past and quarter to the hour). Right outside Cambridge station catch the number 7 bus and it will drop you right outside the entrance to the Duxford museum.

 

Hi Henry,
I went to London for the first time this spring (I'm a Dane) and I also only had 3 days. My experience is; do not overdo it, you will tire out (mentally) quicker than you anticipate! Better to come back then, London is a fantastic city and the Tube makes commuting ever so easy (buy a one-day ticket for some 5 Pounds).

I only made it to the IWM, the "must-see" on my list. A recount and some photos can be found here: http://wartourist.eu/TWTNewsletter/TWTmagazine_200808_gb.pdf

Another thing; I know this is a WW2 forum, but if you get the time, you should not leave out The Tower. History comes alive there!

Have a really good trip, and yes; I would also like to see your photos

Dan aka wartourist

 

This may be too late and needs the help of some Londoners. Very near Russell Square and the British Museum, I forget the tube stop but across from one , is a concrete bunker structure right off the side walk. It was painted in colorful stripes orange and white, the last time I was there. It is the entry to a great underground labyrinth of tunnels used by the D-Day planners and the war in it's later stages. Some valuables were also stored there and papers still are. Interesting artifact of the war. Of course you cannot go in but I walked by it for years and thought it was part of the tube. They are probably too far but the tank museum at Bovington is a must , a WW2 destroyer is at Brighton and a V-1 at Dover Castle.

 

Well, Henry G, its December. Any photo reconnaissance you care to share???

 

Indeed - awaiting photos.....

 

Well I'm back from the trip and like someone had mentioned it is easy to get overwhelmed there. I didn't see anywhere near the amount of stuff I had planned. Regardless I had a great time and look forward to my return trip. Even though it was Dec. the weather held up just fine and I loved every minute I was there.

I did see the IMW and I could have spent all day there. They had a great Holocaust section that took you from the very beginning of Hilters rise to power to the end of the war. Very interesting stuff for even my girlfriend who is not into ww2 in general. She's a great girl so she puts up with all my ww2 talk.

I'm a big mustang fan so I can't get enough of them. I loved the fact that it was hanging above any, and all other aircraft on display.





Thanks for all the advise! I look forward to going back and seeing some of the places that were mentioned that I was unable to see. I also went to Scotland which was a blast. Edinburgh is a fantastic city to visit...even in winter.

 

That's awesome. Talk about the pilot being a multiple ace. Wow!

 

Found it! You've got to admit it's a bit of an eye sore amongst all the other beautiful buildings in the area.

Great find by the way!