Day 3 in London - Part I

When I planned our itinerary, I wanted some activities that would be of interest to my hubby. The entire trip couldn't be about tea. ;-)  He is a great admirer of Winston Churchill and I knew he would like the Churchill War Rooms and Museum. They were interesting, thought-provoking and educational for me too, and I was glad we went.

I was born after WWII ended and even though my dad was a Marine in WWII, he never talked about the war.  Going through the Churchill War Rooms gave me an acute awareness of the awfulness of the war, particularly for the people of London who endured constant bombings and devastation.  Back home, watching the 2017 movie, Darkest Hour makes the Churchill War Rooms even more meaningful.

After our hotel breakfast, we took a taxi to the Churchill War Rooms.  It was a beautiful, warm August Sunday.  There's so much to do in London, but most activities require an entry fee and ticket.  It seems the tourist industry keeps London booming!

I bought the Churchill War Rooms Guide Book to bring home, but photography was permitted inside the War Rooms and the self-guided audio tour was excellent.  It was recommended to allow at least two hours for the tour.

A model of the Churchill War Rooms underground command center/headquarters in the New Public Offices Building.  It became operational in Aug. 1939 thru Aug. 1945.  The building has also been called the Treasury building and Government Offices Great George Street [GOGGS].  It's in Westminster and situated between Horse Guards Rd. and Great George Street.

~ View of the building on Horse Guards Road ~

30 War Rooms make up the tour.  I took photos of many rooms but will post only a few.

~ The Cabinet Room ~

~ The Typing Pool Room ~

~ Churchill's Bedroom ~

~ The Kitchen - Notice the large Tea Kettle ~

There was a gift shop where I bought two small cookbooks and a poster.  Food was scarce during the war and rationing was implemented so food could be sent to the troops for stamina and endurance.  Our country implemented WWII rationing too, and I have the rationing booklet that was issued to my mother.  

Tea was also rationed to send to the troops.  It was a morale booster for them.

When we left the Churchill War Rooms we walked on Horse Guards Road en route to the Royal Mews [next post].  The walk included going past St. James's Park, Wellington Barracks, Victoria's Memorial, and Buckingham Palace.

~ An old and unusual tree trunk ~

~ Wellington Barracks ~

~ The British love their beautiful gardens ~

~ Australia Gate ~

~ Queen Victoria's Memorial ~

~ Buckingham Palace Balcony ~

Once we reached Buckingham Palace, we knew we were very close to the Royal Mews. 

To be continued...