SIGHTS IN LONDON - London 2015 - page 68

nation through its darkest hour (see sidebar on here ) . His greatest contribution may
have been his stirring radio speeches that galvanized the will of the British people.
Despite the Allies' victory over the Nazis, Churchill lost the 1945 election.
Though considered the ideal man to lead Britain during war, many believed that he
and his Conservative Party colleagues were not the best choice to lead the country
in peace and during rebuilding. Never one to be idle, he remained active in polit-
ics (especially in world affairs) as Leader of the Opposition. In 1946, he gave a
speech at a Missouri college, which included the famous Cold War line, “From Stet-
tin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across the
Continent.” In 1951, Churchill was again elected prime minister and served for four
years before he retired in 1955. When he died at the age of 90 in 1965, his state
funeral in St. Paul's attracted leaders from around the world. Churchill, a legend in
his own time, was buried in the family plot at Bladon, a mile from Blenheim Palace,
the place of his birth.

Big Ben, the 315-foot-high clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster
is named for its 13-ton bell, Ben. The light above the clock is lit when Parliament is in
session. The face of the clock is huge—you can actually see the minute hand moving. For
a good view of it, walk halfway over Westminster Bridge.

▲▲▲ ▲▲▲ Churchill War Rooms

This excellent sight offers a fascinating walk through the underground headquarters of the
British government's fight against the Nazis in the darkest days of the Battle for Britain.
It has two parts: the war rooms themselves, and a top-notch museum dedicated to the man
who steered the war from here, Winston Churchill. For details on all the blood, sweat, toil,
and tears, pick up the excellent, essential, and included audioguide at the entry, and dive
in. Allow yourself 1-2 hours for this sight.
Cost and Hours: £ 17.50 includes audioguide (and 10 percent optional donation),
£ 5 guidebook, daily 9:30-18:00, last entry one hour before closing; on King Charles
Street, 200 yards off Whitehall, follow the signs, Tube: Westminster, tel. [phone],
www.iwm.org.uk/churchill . The museum's gift shop is great for anyone nostalgic for the
1940s.