Imperial War Museum North

Who we are

Imperial War Museum North (IWMN) offers a free day out like no other and a range of learning opportunities for all ages. Visit IWMN to discover powerful stories that reveal how war shapes people’s lives. Daniel Libeskind’s building represents a world torn apart by war and conflict which begins to tell a story from the moment you arrive. The displays will help your group explore the causes and consequences of conflict from the First World War to the present day through small personal items such as a soldier’s last letter home as well as more imposing artefacts such as the twisted steel of New York City's World Trade Center. The learning offer helps pupils to develop historical enquiry skills, boost understanding of cause and consequence, chronology and historical significance, and explore interpretation using the museum’s unparalleled national collections. Museum staff-led sessions support the history curriculum, strengthen literacy skills and involve artefact handling and evaluating evidence. Choose from tours, artefact handling sessions, living history workshops, storytelling sessions and craft sessions on a range of themes. Themes include World War One, Trench Life, Evacuation, the Blitz, the Holocaust; Stories of Conflict (World War One to the 2003 Iraq war); Animals and War and the Cold War. Free self-directed visits can incorporate exploration of our exhibitions and galleries, use of free Key Stage and theme specific resources and a viewing of one of our themed Big Picture Shows (a 360-degree experience using surround sound, projected digital moving images and photographs to bring to life people’s experiences of war.) Get help planning your trip by attending a free teacher pre visit and book your visit as far in advance as possible. If you book at least four weeks ahead schools receive free coach parking and free group passes to our Air Shard viewing platform. You can book a self directed visit or choose one of our staff-led sessions or activities to enhance your day. Groups with special educational needs can book any guided session which is aimed at the age the students are working at.