Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum occupies the striking domed building of the former Bedlam asylum, and that architectural history adds weight to its mission of examining war's human cost. The ground floor atrium houses genuine warplanes suspended overhead-including a Spitfire and Harrier jump jet-while tanks and field guns line the floor. The Holocaust exhibition upstairs is genuinely harrowing, using personal testimonies and artifacts in a thoughtfully designed space that never feels exploitative.

You'll spend most of your time moving between floors via the central atrium, which creates natural breathing space between intense exhibitions. The First World War galleries recreate trench conditions with unsettling accuracy, complete with mud and the smell of dampness. The contemporary conflict displays on recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan feel immediate and complex rather than patriotic, examining both military strategy and civilian impact through video testimonies and recovered equipment.

This isn't a quick browse-the Holocaust exhibition alone needs 90 minutes if you're reading properly. The café is overpriced and underwhelming, so eat beforehand. Skip the basement Lord Ashcroft Gallery unless you're specifically interested in Victoria Cross medals. The audio guide costs extra but adds crucial context, especially for the newer galleries. Arrive early on weekends; school groups flood in after 11am and the narrow corridors become congested.