Posts Tagged "churchill war rooms"

11 Aug
2010

London Celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Posted by Zoe Craig in Special Events 2 Comments

Seventy years ago this summer, the first Luftwaffe bombers attacked London beginning what became known as the Battle of Britain.

Over the next few weeks, there are plenty of events in memory of this incredible period of London’s history during World War II. If you want to revisit the Battle of Britain in London, check out the following events:

BBC Big Band: Hits from the Blitz, Cadogan Hall, 12 Aug
Hits from the Blitz is a celebration of the greatest music from the war-time era, including nostalgic classics like We’ll Meet Again, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, and White Cliffs of Dover.

Battle of Britain at Churchill War Rooms, 17 Aug-31 Aug
Throughout the second half of August, there will be a number of exciting and unique events at Churchill War Rooms to remember the Battle of Britain.

Battle of Britain Fly-Past, Whitehall, 20 Aug
A Spitfire and a Hurricane will fly over Whitehall to commemorate the Battle of Britain on 20 August, after Winston Churchill’s speech referring to “the few” is played at the Churchill War Rooms.

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Concert, Chartwell, 4 Sep
Just outside London, National Trust’s Chartwell is Churchill’s former home. The Central Band of the Royal Air Force will take centre stage for a twilight concert commemorating the Battle of Britain. The band will be supported by period aircraft, archive film, special effects and narration. Visit www.synergyeventsuk.com for more info.

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Living History Weekend, Royal Air Force Museum, 11-12 Sep
Bring the whole family to the RAF Battle of Britain Living History Weekend at the Royal Air Force Museum to watch re-enactments and learn more about life during the battle.

Battle of Britain, Royal Festival Hall, 11 Sep
Get in the mood with a nostalgic blend of swing hits and wartime favourites at this Royal Festival Hall concert. With readings from High Flight and speeches from Churchill. Plus a traditional singalong to 1940s favourites Underneath the Arches, Run Rabbit Run, Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line

Battle of Britain Concert – A Musical Commemoration, Royal Albert Hall, 3 Oct
Timothy West introduces a stirring programme to commemorate and honour the Royal Air Force. The program features wartime favourites with readings from High Flight and speeches from Churchill and Henry V. Plus a ukulele tribute to George Formby.

The RAF in Concert, Barbican, 24 Nov
This year’s prestigious Royal Air Force in Concert officially commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with an exciting and nostalgic programme of music that will conjure up the atmosphere surrounding Britain’s “finest hour”.

Are you going to an event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain? Let us know in the comments below.

10 May
2010

Question of the Week: Museums at Night: What Would You Like To See?

Posted by Jenny in Attractions, Special Events 2 Comments

This weekend museums and galleries all over Europe will be staying open after hours for Museums at Night. London is getting in on the act with more than 50 late night events taking place at cultural venues across the city.

There’s lots to choose between, from an adult sleepover at Churchill War Rooms to late night 10th birthday celebrations at Tate Modern. Play instruments into the night at the British Music Experience or see 19th century surgery by gas light at The Old Operating Theatre.

Tell us what you’d like to see at this year’s Museums at Night.

22 Apr
2010

Doctor Who, Winston Churchill and the Cabinet War Rooms

Posted by Lettice in Attractions No Comments

If you watched Doctor Who, Victory of the Daleks on Saturday, you’ll know the episode was set in the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall, the underground bunker from which Winston Churchill, the cabinet and military command ran the country during the Second World War.

The Churchill War Rooms are open to the public so you can go along and experience history for yourself. The bunker is almost exactly as it was left after the war, including the amazing map room. It’s incredible to think that so many people lived and worked here.

If you’re over 18, you can even sleepover in May for Museums at Night! I think the fear of seeing Daleks might keep me awake, despite the fact I definitely didn’t see any on my last visit!

If you’re brave enough to want to see a Dalek, check out our Doctor Who in London feature.

Although the episode wasn’t actually filmed in Churchill’s War Rooms, Mark Gatiss who wrote the episode (and played the Spitfire pilot) visited the museum for inspiration. Watch Mark’s visit in the behind-the-scenes show Doctor Who Confidential. We love the bit where Mark says:

“I would urge anybody who can to come and visit this place, it’s a museum but it’s an amazingly authentic experience. I would be very very happy if people who watched it and enjoyed the episode would then come here to find out more about it, because I think it’s a testament to an extraordinary group of people and an extraordinary time.”

Churchill War Rooms are open daily 9:00 – 18:00. Adults £14.95, concessions £7.50 – £12, under 16s free.