The Imperial War Museum seeks to gather every type of evidence documenting war in the last century. It houses collections of art, which include over 15,000 paintings, drawings and sculptures and 30,000 posters. There is also 120 Million feet of cine film and over 6,500 hours of video tape; 6 Million photographs and 32,000 sound recordings. Personal equipment, badges, medals and uniforms are all on show as well as bigger objects such as Aircraft, Armored Vehicles and Naval Vessels.

When entering the museum first thing you notice is that the museum exhibits original size examples of tanks, personnel carriers, mini-submarines, small boats and assorted weaponry. There are also several fighter planes suspended above. The open-plan makeup of this part of the museum allows one to come close to these war machines and to experience their sheer power and size. Tanks and boats on the ground floor have cut away sections, allowing you to see inside. A small mock submarine allows visitors to climb in and experience what it would be like; you are able to use the subs features and controls. The “Trench” offers practical uses giving you an idea on the sights, sounds and smells of war. It starts in a darkened corridor with blood stained dummies spread all over, there are constant flashes, and sound effects booming, which gives a reasonable impression of an artillery barrage. The noise also includes shouting and crying, rattling machineguns and a whole cacophony of battlefield noises. The use of dry ice and no heating plus the rank, fetid smell helps create a realistic idea of the terror soldiers went through.

The “Blitz Experience” offers something different, where you get a seat in a very dim and claustrophobic replica shelter while listening to soldiers talking about the war, with background rumbles of bombs accompanied by spontaneous vibrations. Then you can leave the shelter to walk on a bomb damaged street which even has the smell of explosives.

The Museum has extensive collections of exhibits and makes use of modern equipment to make them appealing to the visitor. The permanent exhibitions include “Secret War” - The secret world of intelligence. There is also an art gallery, special exhibitions for children and workshops. There is a cinema included in the Museum, with the seats for 200 people, which hosts many student film competitions and mini festivals.

There are also many sad reminders of battles such as letters from prisoners of war and a permanent holocaust exhibition. This exhibition now occupies two floors and using original artifacts, documents, film, and photographs the display despondently relates the story of Nazi Germany and the persecution Hitler ordered. In addition, the exhibit brings attention to the discrimination of other groups under Hitler's regime, including Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, people with disabilities, and homosexuals. Both sides of view are shown, Nazi and Jewish, making this a very thought provoking section. Among the items on display are a funeral cart used in the Warsaw Ghetto, a sign from the extermination camp at Belzec, and the letters of an 8-year-old Jewish boy who attempted to hide in an orphanage before he was found and sent to the extermination camp Auschwitz. There are smaller items as well like glasses, clothing and children’s toys. This exhibition is not recommended for Under 14’s by the museum because of the upsetting and gruesome content.