- Who it's for: Individual visitors, families, and standard pre-booked ticket holders.
- Skips the ticket queue: Your timed ticket lets you enter within the permitted arrival window; standard security procedures still apply.
- Where exactly: At the base of Clive Steps on King Charles Street. View on Google Maps
- Crowds & waits: This is the main access point for individual visitors, so queues are generally more likely here during busy periods.
- Faster/slower than: More suitable for individual visitors than the Group Entrance, which is reserved for organised groups.
- Accessibility: Use the Accessible entrance instead if you require step-free access.
- Pro tip: Have your timed ticket ready before reaching the entrance so you can move through the initial checks smoothly.
Churchill War Rooms entrances | Which entrance to use and why
Quick overview: Churchill War Rooms entrances
Churchill War Rooms has three visitor access points: the main public entrance at Clive Steps, the Group Entrance at the top of Clive Steps, and an accessible entrance via Birdcage Walk.
- Shortest queues: Use the Main public entrance if you are visiting independently with a standard ticket.
- Timed-ticket holders: Use the Main public entrance.
- Guided and organised groups: Use the Group Entrance at the top of Clive Steps.
- Step-free access: Use the Accessible entrance from Birdcage Walk via Horse Guards Road.
- Accessibility route: The accessible entrance provides lift access to the front entrance.
Choose the best entrance for you
Main public entrance
Group entrance
- Who it's for: Pre-booked school groups and organised tour groups.
- Skips the ticket queue: No general skip-the-line benefit; this entrance is specifically for groups with arrangements in place.
- Where exactly: At the top of Clive Steps on King Charles Street.
- Crowds & waits: Group arrivals can be busier around scheduled tour and school-group arrival times.
- Faster/slower than: More appropriate than the Main public entrance for organised groups because it is designated specifically for them.
- Accessibility: Groups requiring step-free access should arrange the appropriate accessible route in advance.
- Pro tip: Follow your group's instructions and arrive together rather than joining the general visitor queue.
Accessible entrances at Churchill War Rooms
The Accessible entrance is the recommended route for visitors who need step-free access. It is reached from Birdcage Walk by St James’s Park, off Horse Guards Road, and provides lift access to the front entrance. The door is permanently held open and has an opening width of more than 75cm.
Visitors who need additional assistance can use the accessible route rather than attempting the Clive Steps approach. Churchill War Rooms also offers accessible facilities inside the museum. Manual wheelchairs can be reserved free of charge, with two available for visitor use; a separate admission ticket is still required.
Visitors with disabilities can also bring a carer free of charge with a general admission booking.
Security, bags & re-entry
Security checks may take place when you arrive, so allow extra time before your booked entry. Large bags and luggage may not be accepted inside the historic rooms; small bags are recommended. IWM tour guidance specifically notes that large bags cannot be stored or taken into the historic rooms.
Re-entry: Policy varies; confirm at the entrance on the day before leaving the museum.
Frequently asked questions about Churchill War Rooms entrances
Standard timed-ticket holders should use the Main public entrance at Clive Steps. A timed ticket does not remove standard security checks, so arrive within your permitted entry window.
Pre-booked school groups and organised tour groups should use the Group Entrance at the top of Clive Steps on King Charles Street rather than the main public entrance.
There is no guaranteed shortest-queue entrance. Individual visitors should use the Main public entrance, while organised groups should use the dedicated Group Entrance to avoid joining the wrong queue.
If you have a standard timed admission ticket, head to the Main public entrance at Clive Steps. Visitors requiring step-free access should instead use the Accessible entrance via Birdcage Walk.
The Accessible entrance is via Birdcage Walk near St James’s Park, off Horse Guards Road. It provides step-free access to the front entrance through a lift.
Visitors who require step-free access should use the dedicated Accessible entrance via Birdcage Walk. This route avoids the Clive Steps approach and provides lift access to the museum entrance.
No. The Group Entrance is specifically designated for pre-booked school groups and organised tour groups. Individual visitors with standard admission should use the Main public entrance instead.
Re-entry is not something to assume when visiting. Confirm the current policy with staff before exiting, particularly if you need to leave temporarily during your visit.
