ChevyChasen

my wife unlike me is not enthusiastic about WWII museums.She has conceeded that we can visit one of these two on our trip to london. Anyone ever been 'taken' to one of these places by your partner? Did you find it boring? Spent the rest of the day grumpy? Which one do you think has the most appeal for the non WWII enthusiast? thanks

allanc

Have the same issue. I wanted to visit the Cabinet War Rooms. Agreed that my spouse and I would go our seperate ways for the morning and meet up in the park outside the CWR. We do this from time to time.....I get bored after 15 minutes in Selfridges so we simply part company for a little while.
That way no one is grumpy.

AnselmAdorne

I've visited both sites over the years. While someone with an interest in military history might like both, I suspect the Cabinet War Rooms might have a broader appeal. The exhibit is intended to show the offices and accommodations exactly the way they were during the war, and they are hugely successful in doing that. The only thing missing is cigar smoke--if they pumped a bit of that throught the air conditioning, you'd think that Churchill had walked along the corridor just a few minutes before you arrived.

A fascinating place. Mind you, as allanc suggests, you could always split up for a few hours.

Anselm

traveldawg

We did the War Rooms in 1990. My wife not a WWII fan, but she enjoyed the tour. They gave us tape recorders to use for the narrative. You will enjoy this.

I also convinced her a few years ago to spend 3 nights in Normandy. That was a great experience even if the battle had never happened there. One of our favorite areas to visit.

bettyk

On the contrary, I found the Cabinet War Rooms fascinating. It's like stepping back in time. We were there in 2002 and I understand there were plans to expand the exhibit even more. You can do the entire thing in about an hour or so. I highly recommend it.

KidsToLondon

The Cabinet War Rooms would appeal to anyone who has an interest in history, not just an interest in World War II. The displays are as much about the people who lead and lived during this period as they are about the war itself. My entire family--kids and spouse--enjoyed it. The museum is opening a new Churchill museum early next year, which promises to add more interest to the site.

A visit to the Belfast is much more appealing to military hardware/nautical history buffs. I imagine your wife might be bored with it. I don't presume to know if that will make her "grumpy" for the rest of the day (that's your call).

Dave White
http://www.KidsToLondon.com

crefloors

My brother wanted to do the cabinet war rooms when we were last in London and I wasn't that interested...or so I thought. I had seen a documentary about the rooms not too many months before we left on our trip and I have to say, I found it really interesting. Just thinking about what was going on when they all were living down there, HOW they managed to live down there for so long and not go nuts..I was really glad I went. We also went to the war museum and that was good also. We were a couple of hours at each place I think, and that was enough. Can't speak for your wife, but she might surprise herself and actually get something out of a visit, if not, well shoppping is always good in my book.

Robespierre

Mme. Robespierre and I set our own agendas when we travel. We compare notes and make it a point to be together for visits to places on both our lists (if doing so doesn't prevent one of us from doing something else on our list).

Some days we have breakfast together and meet back at the hotel for dinner. Other times we're together every step of the way.

I highly recommend this approach, knowing full well that it doesn't suit every couple.

JN

Hi,
I went to the CWR this spring. Got there just as it opened, and had it virtually to myself. I loved it--great audios from the wwII era, the preserved rooms were fscinating. I learned a ton about Churchill, the courage and sacrifice of the Brits and the mutual admiration Roosevelt and WC had for each other. I plan to return next year.

Kayb95

The CWR are very interesting - even if you have just a minimal interest in WWII.

And I hate to throw another suggestion into the mix, but if you are a WWII buff, you would also find the Imperial War Museum fascinating. It covers the wars Britain has been involved in (heaviest concentration is WWI and WWII), but it is also interesting to non-"war buff" visitors. They have the 1940's house, the blitz experience, the trench experience (WWI), and a very moving holocaust exhibit.

Or... the shopping suggestion would also work.

ChevyChasen

the imperial war museum! yes sir! could you please provide me with the names of some very big moderately priced shopping malls in london where my wife can spend the day while i see this one?(i dont want her to go to harrods!!!) thanks

ssachida

My 2 cents:
I'm not a WWII enthusiast and I've been to both the Cabinet War Rooms and the HMS Belfast (I went by myself - no one dragged me). I found HMS Belfast boring and was in and out in abt 15 mins but really enjoyed the cabinet war rooms.

Kayb95

Or... if you want to spend the day seeing the Imperial War Museum and Cabinet War Rooms (get an early start if you plan to do both in one day!), maybe there is a museum your wife would like to see that doesn't interest you much in seeing.

Besides the big ones (National Gallery, Tate, British Museum, Victoria & Albert, National Portrait Gallery), there are lots of others (Wallace Collection, Museum of London, British Library, Geffrye Museum, Dennis Sever House, Dickens House Museum, Apsley House, Handel House Museum, Sir John Soanes Museum, Madame Tussaud's, Queens Gallery, etc...)

I've never seen any shopping "malls" in London. But there are lots of shopping streets (Regents, Oxford, Piccadilly, High Street Kensington, Bond) as well as the big department stores like Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridge, Liberty, etc...

duncmom1

I went along with my husband (who is a WW11 history buff) to the cabinet war rooms. Maybe it had something to do with our ages,(late 50's) or the fact that both our fathers fought in WW11, but I actually teared up when we were touring them. They bring everything to life. I believe that you will really be glad that you experienced them.
I was going to say that you would enjoy them, but that is too trite for the hardships that were endured.
Theresa

circa2

Another couple ideas:

Royal Air Force Musuem - Hendon

Duxford Air Field - 11miles south of
Cambridge.

Both have excellent displays of appreciation of U.S.
contribution to WWII.

PatrickLondon

Actually, it's the human touch that most hit me in the Cabinet War Rooms. The situation maps, telephones, cipher machines and all that I had expected - but the chamberpot discreetly tucked under Churchill's bed made it much more real....

nanb

Second for the Imperrial War Museum for non -military lovers. My son had this as #1 on his list. It never even got onto my daughter's list, but she went anyway and loved it. We were there almost 3 hrs.
Do not miss this one .

bettyk

Thre is a D-Day 60th anniversary exhibit at the Imperial War Museum until June 2005 I believe. We saw it in May and really enjoyed it.