Winston Churchill is one of the most heroic figures of the World War II era, embodying the British ideal of the stiff upper lip and passionate resolve to never give up, no matter the odds. Visitors to London can learn more about the man and his struggles during the war at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, a delightful museum near St. James Park filled with an eclectic collection of Churchill memorabilia and artifacts. Start off at the Lifeline exhibit, a 15-meter-long interactive table on which visitors can access information from every year of Churchill's life, down to specific weeks and days. Then, armed with historical perspective, venture into the Cabinet War Rooms, which were used as shelter for the heart of government and military command. Built in the basement of a Whitehall building in 1938, it housed Churchill and his advisers as they plotted their strategy amid sustained aerial bombardments. The Map Room, Cabinet Room, Transatlantic Telephone Room, and Churchill's Room have all been preserved in the condition they were left when the war ended in 1945, providing a vivid glimpse into his "finest hour." There's even a recreation of his wife Clementine's bedroom, part of a suite of nine rooms opened only in 2003 containing the original furnishings and items from the war years. It's one of London's most fascinating museums and a must-see for students of 20th century history. Starwood has hotels throughout London, including the Sheraton Park Tower, London.
[image via Churchill Museum]
