Dedicated emails for teachers featuring classroom resources, exclusive events for teachers, school sessions and visit planning.
Free self-guided visits
Discover why a visit to Imperial War Museum London is the top choice for schools studying the First World War, Second World War, and the Holocaust. Home to the UK’s national collection on these pivotal topics, IWM offers an unparalleled educational experience that’s both curriculum-relevant and deeply engaging.
A Meet and Greet service delivered daily by a specially trained group of IWM volunteers will greet you upon arrival. You will be provided with essential practical information for your visit, and they will introduce you and your students to the museum through an object on gallery, sparking historical inquiry, and an understanding of causes and consequences, chronology and historical significance.
Find out how to get to the museum on our Getting Here page.
Book Your Visit
Please contact Customer Services using the Schools Visit Request form below.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7091 3067
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)20 7091 3067
Email: [email protected]
Your Visit and What to See
A self-guided visit to IWM London is suitable for ages 7+ with an average visit time of 2-4 hours.
Our award-winning school visits—voted for by teachers in the prestigious School Travel Awards—are designed to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and spark meaningful conversations. Whether you're examining trench life in the First World War, or uncovering the global impact of the Second World War, every visit is rooted in real stories, authentic artefacts, and expert interpretation.
Please note, The Holocaust Galleries can only be accessed by schools if they book a Holocaust Learning Session.
For further information about our galleries and exhibitions, visit our What's here page.
Trails and Resources
Download and print activity sheets for your school visit.
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First World War Gallery Guide
Find eight stories of the First World War. Best suited for learners aged 9-14 years old.
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Object Search Activity Sheet
Designed for Primary School learners, you can choose any gallery and students can find a different object for each of the 9 options.
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Object Search Activity Sheet
Designed for Secondary School learners, you can choose any gallery and students are tasked with finding 12 different objects from thought provoking prompts.
Resources for your classroom
You might also want to check out our free digital learning resources which can be used to inspire your visit.