After checking out the Graffiti Tunnel, I walked further until I reached the Imperial War Museum. Somehow the war theme continues in this London visit.
This museum is widely considered one of London's most powerful and essential cultural institutions. Unlike traditional military museums that focus solely on weaponry, this museum is highly regarded for its "human-centered" approach, highlighting the extraordinary stories of ordinary people impacted by conflict from World War I to the present day. The fact that it also was free entrance made it an appealing destination for me, given that the Churchill War Rooms actually had a hefty entrance ticket price.
Just outside of the main entrance are two large guns. These imposing twin barrels at the entrance are 15-inch Mk I naval guns, some of the most powerful weapons ever used by the Royal Navy. They were installed in front of the museum in 1968 and have since become its most recognizable landmark. These guns were "state-of-the-art" when they were first developed in 1914. Each barrel weighs approximately 100 tons. They could fire a shell over 16 miles (about 26 km). For perspective, if they were fired from their current spot in Lambeth, they could reach the outskirts of London near Windsor. They fired massive shells weighing 1,938 lbs (nearly a ton). The shells left the barrel at a speed of 2,640 feet per second. And fun fact: while they looked alike, these two guns are actually from two different installations, and were only installed here in front of the museum as a pair after their use.
Inside the museum, there were plenty of moving exhibitions. Yes, it is about war, and war is a sad part of humanity. But sad as war might be, it also provides a glimpse of the human condition.
I spent several hours in this museum. Some areas of the museum were very graphic, such as the exhibit about the Holocaust. But I definitely still had a fantastic time within, and I absolutely recommend a visit to this museum if you're in the area.
