Step Back in Time with WWII Tours of London

London is a city in which history lurks around every corner. From the ancient Roman settlement of Londinium, to the centre of finance, entertainment, and culture it is today, London has captivated foreign visitors with its rich history, spanning two millennia. For those history buffs looking to experience London as it was during one of the city’s most turbulent periods, there are a number of tours and attractions that can take you back in time to the days of World War Two. And with countless options for getting to and around London, once your flight touches down, you’re only one Gatwick airport transfer away from exploring this historic metropolis.

London Blitz Tours

In 1940, the German Luftwaffe bombed London for 57 consecutive nights, destroying over one million homes and killing more than 40,000 civilians. This sustained period of attack on the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany has become known as the Blitz, from the German Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war." Although most of the physical damage from the Blitz has been repaired, there are a number of London Blitz walks and tours that can reveal the wartime stories behind modern London. These tours typically run two to three hours and include stops at such sites at St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was famously unscathed during the Blitz, and Aldwych Station, one of many Underground stations that were used as a bomb shelter during the war.

Churchill War Rooms

One of five branches of the Imperial War Museum, the Churchill War Rooms is a World War Two history buff’s dream come true. The museum comprises the Cabinet War Rooms (a historic underground complex that was home to the British government’s command centre during the war), and the Churchill Museum, a biographical museum that explores the life of one of Britain’s most famous prime ministers. Both are located beneath the Treasury building in Westminster, near 10 Downing Street.

The Cabinet War Rooms provided a secret underground bunker from which the British government could plan for the victory of the Allied forces. Of particular interest is the Map Room, which has been left intact exactly as it was since it was vacated in 1945 at the end of war. Other interesting rooms in this underground complex are the Transatlantic Telephone Room and Winston Churchill’s office-bedroom.

In the adjoining Churchill Museum, visitors can delve into the life and legacy of the famous statesman. Read letters exchanged between Churchill and his wife, or hear excerpts from some of the prime minister’s wartime speeches.

HMS Belfast

Another branch of the extensive Imperial War Museums, the HMS Belfast is permanently moored in the River Thames. The ship was originally a light cruiser in the Royal navy, but was opened to the public as a museum in 1971 after an extensive campaign for its preservation. The HMS Belfast most famously participated in Operation Overlord in supporting the Normandy landings in June 1944. Today, visitors to the HMS Belfast can explore all nine decks of the ship and get a glimpse of life at sea during World War Two.

Getting to London

London is easy and convenient to travel to by land, sea, or air. The city has half a dozen international airports, including Heathrow, Luton, and Gatwick Airport. Transfers can be easily arranged at any of these airports to take you to your final destination in London. Easy Gatwick airport transfers guarantee you’re not far away from experiencing London’s rich history firsthand.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Gatwick airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.