Churchill War Rooms

Today I visited the Churchill War Rooms, which comprises the cabinet war rooms, an underground complex from where the British government command centre operated from during the Second World War, and also the Churchill Museum, which covers the life of Winston Churchill. There were long queues to get in, probably due the success of the film, The Darkest Hour, but we were booked on a private tour which was fascinating and allowed us access into the innermost rooms where Churchill and his team held their strategy meetings, including the map room which was the nerve centre of the war. 

This is the cabinet meeting room, and it was built in readiness for the war before war was even declared. Churchill was angry to learn that it was not bomb proof but only bomb resistant, (and not nearly as good as Hitler's bunker) so later the red steel girders that you can see in this image were added to strengthen the room. The wooden chair in the centre is where Churchill sat and one can still see the scratch marks on his chair as he dug his nails into the arms of the chair while working. Not only was he prime minister during the war but he was also the minister of defence so he was very involved in every aspect of the war. He famously used to have a siesta every afternoon and then work late into the night and the early hours of the next day. He sipped 'brown water' all day - water with a dash of whiskey - and drank champagne every day with meals - somehow the war time rations did not seem to apply to him! He also loved bananas and somehow managed to have them throughout the war. His cigars are legendary, and you can imagine the thick fug of smoke in that room, with everyone smoking and no ventilation. It was a fascinating morning, a highly recommended visit.

On the train home I finished my book, The Cactus by Sarah Haywood which I thoroughly enjoyed and now am feeling bereft that it is finished!