Free Admission to All Permanent Galleries
The Imperial War Museum is one of London's great free museums. You can walk in off the street without paying anything and access all of the permanent galleries. This includes the First World War Galleries, the Second World War galleries, the Holocaust Exhibition, the Witnesses to War gallery, and the impressive atrium with its suspended aircraft.
The museum is funded primarily through government grant-in-aid from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, along with charitable donations and commercial income. This public funding model is what allows it to remain free for all visitors.
What Is Included for Free
The free galleries cover an enormous amount of ground. The First World War Galleries, which opened in 2014 to mark the centenary of the conflict, are among the finest war exhibitions in the world. They tell the story of the war through personal objects, documents, and immersive displays that bring the experience of soldiers and civilians to life.
The Second World War displays occupy multiple sections of the museum. You can see everything from a V2 rocket to personal diaries, from military uniforms to ration books. The Holocaust Exhibition, which occupies two floors, is one of the most powerful museum experiences in London and is entirely free to enter.
The atrium itself is worth the visit alone. A Spitfire, a Harrier jet, and a V2 rocket hang from the ceiling above military vehicles including a T-34 tank. You can see all of this the moment you walk through the front door.
Temporary Exhibitions
The museum occasionally hosts special temporary exhibitions that carry an admission charge. These are clearly signposted and are entirely separate from the permanent galleries. You can visit the museum and see everything in the permanent collection without encountering any paid areas unless you specifically seek them out.
Temporary exhibitions have covered topics ranging from fashion during wartime to the experience of refugees in modern conflicts. They are typically high quality and well worth considering, but they are an addition to the free visit rather than a core part of it.
Other Costs to Consider
While entry is free, there are optional extras that involve spending. The museum shop sells books, prints, and gifts related to its collections. There is a cafe on site where you can get drinks and food. Neither is necessary for enjoying the museum, but both are there if you want them.
The museum does not charge for cloakroom facilities and there is no pressure to make donations, though collection boxes are available near the entrance and exit. If you do choose to donate, even a small amount helps support the museum's conservation and education work.
Why It Matters That It Is Free
The fact that the Imperial War Museum is free makes it accessible to everyone, which is particularly important given its subject matter. The stories told here belong to the whole nation and beyond. Removing the barrier of admission cost means that school groups, families, and individuals can visit as often as they like, returning to spend more time with particular galleries or to see new temporary displays.
It also means you do not need to feel pressured to see everything in a single visit. You can drop in for an hour to see one gallery, or spend an entire day working through the collection. The freedom to set your own pace and return whenever you choose is one of the great advantages of London's free museum culture.
