During the school vacations of October and December 2021, Imperial War Museums (IWM) offers an exciting calendar of activities at HMS Belfast and IWM London.
At IWM London, visitors can get their sea legs, learn about the technology that keeps the HMS Belfast afloat, and talk with combat eyewitnesses. Families will be able to visit the brand-new Second World War Galleries at IWM London for the first time on October 20, 2021.
Daily activities will take place at each location, although the activities available will vary.
We Were There
Saturday, October 23rd, and Sunday, October 24th
Free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors will have the rare chance to meet combat eyewitnesses and acquire firsthand knowledge of the effects of war on people’s lives. These unique visitors will be stationed throughout the museum to engage with tourists and share their firsthand experiences with combat, ranging from operating a tank to being evacuated. Visitors will also be able to discover how memories, including their own, may be documented through interactive workshops with illustrators, authors, and journalists.
Wartime Mealtimes
Saturday, December 11th, and Sunday, December 12th
Free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn about rationing throughout history, get Second World War recipes, and see what was considered a sweet treat throughout the conflict. Join demonstrations of what might be produced with rations and hear firsthand tales of food in battle from soldiers, eyewitnesses, and storytellers. This interactive event, created in collaboration with RA Venues and Story Spinner Theatre, will explore the impact of conflict on ordinary life via the perspective of food.
Story Seekers
Saturday, October 23rd – Sunday, October 31st, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, December 18th – Thursday, December 30th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Drop-in for free.
Families may interact with actual artefacts and learn about the worldwide effects of battle from World War I to the present day. Explore the museum’s collections to learn more about the inspiring stories they contain, from shark-infested waters to clever nurses.
