Uncover the life, leadership and legacy of Winston Churchill. A one-hour illustrated talk followed by a walking tour of Westminster exploring Churchill’s London haunts, key wartime locations, and Churchill’s secret government bunker. Am at Keeley Street followed by a pm offsite walk.
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This half-day course explores the life, character, career and wartime leadership of Winston Churchill. Beginning with an illustrated talk, we trace Churchill’s early life, political rise, changing fortunes and return to government in 1940. We examine his leadership style, rhetoric, strategic thinking and relationships with military and political colleagues, as well as the pressures of guiding Britain through the Second World War.
Following the talk, a guided walking tour through Westminster visits key buildings, locations and memorials associated with Churchill. These sites illuminate the environments in which he worked, the decisions he made, and the way he is remembered. Together they reveal how Churchill’s life intersected with Britain’s institutions and how his legacy continues to be interpreted today.
What will we cover?
Churchill’s political and personal life: from soldier and minister to wartime Prime Minister and national icon.
His leadership style under extreme pressure: morale-building, rhetoric, decision-making in crisis.
Key locations of power: government offices, social clubs, streets of Westminster.
Everyday life of wartime London: how institutions, buildings, and people adapted under threat.
The secret wartime command centre beneath Whitehall: how the government continued to function under bombardment and blackout.
The legacy and memory of Churchill: how sites around London commemorate him today.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
Understand Churchill’s life, strengths, and controversies.
Identify places associated with his government, social life, and public persona.
Appreciate the significance of the Churchill War Rooms – the site where critical wartime decisions were taken.
Be able to reflect on the relationship between leadership, place, memory and public legacy.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory talk/walking tour - all welcome. An interest in the topic and to follow health and safety instructions from the tutor when out and about in London are the only requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Moring talk followed by a guided tour offsite. Reading is not mandatory but the tutor will provide suitable materials to support your interests.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Please wear clothing appropriate to the season and suitable walking shoes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see the London History/London walks area of the City Lit website.
Dr Stephen Goss is a former lecturer in history at Queen’s University Belfast. A published academic, his area of focus is 19th and 20th Century British, Irish and European history, specialising in the Cold War. Previously a Life-long Learning Lecturer at Stranmillis University College, he is now an Expert Tour Guide at the Imperial War Museum and Churchill War Rooms, and has been a popular speaker in museums, historical societies, u3a, Probus, and the Women's Institute for over fifteen years. Stephen has also conducted policy and research for Campaign for Better Transport and writes regularly for a leading independent news and analysis site on Northern Irish current affairs.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/churchill-his-life-and-wartime-leadership3017026Churchill: His Life and Wartime Leadershiphttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks22851177117811841228511771178<p>Uncover the life, leadership and legacy of Winston Churchill. A one-hour illustrated talk followed by a walking tour of Westminster exploring Churchill’s London haunts, key wartime locations, and Churchill’s secret government bunker. Am at Keeley Street followed by a pm offsite walk. </p>003016996Churchill: His Life and Wartime Leadership5959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-05-02T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLW2985959Churchill: His Life and Wartime Leadership473859Stephen Gosschurchill-his-life-and-wartime-leadership/hlw298-2526<p>Uncover the life, leadership and legacy of Winston Churchill. A one-hour illustrated talk followed by a walking tour of Westminster exploring Churchill’s London haunts, key wartime locations, and Churchill’s secret government bunker. Am at Keeley Street followed by a pm offsite walk. </p>0000-Available|2026-05-02 00:00:00<p>This half-day course explores the life, character, career and wartime leadership of Winston Churchill. Beginning with an illustrated talk, we trace Churchill’s early life, political rise, changing fortunes and return to government in 1940. We examine his leadership style, rhetoric, strategic thinking and relationships with military and political colleagues, as well as the pressures of guiding Britain through the Second World War.</p><p>Following the talk, a guided walking tour through Westminster visits key buildings, locations and memorials associated with Churchill. These sites illuminate the environments in which he worked, the decisions he made, and the way he is remembered. Together they reveal how Churchill’s life intersected with Britain’s institutions and how his legacy continues to be interpreted today.</p><p>Uncover the life, leadership and legacy of Winston Churchill. A one-hour illustrated talk followed by a walking tour of Westminster exploring Churchill’s London haunts, key wartime locations, and Churchill’s secret government bunker. Am at Keeley Street followed by a pm offsite walk. </p><ul><li>Churchill’s political and personal life: from soldier and minister to wartime Prime Minister and national icon.</li><li>His leadership style under extreme pressure: morale-building, rhetoric, decision-making in crisis.</li><li>Key locations of power: government offices, social clubs, streets of Westminster.</li><li>Everyday life of wartime London: how institutions, buildings, and people adapted under threat.</li><li>The secret wartime command centre beneath Whitehall: how the government continued to function under bombardment and blackout.</li><li>The legacy and memory of Churchill: how sites around London commemorate him today.</li></ul><p>By the end of this course, you should be able to:</p><ul><li>Understand Churchill’s life, strengths, and controversies.</li><li>Identify places associated with his government, social life, and public persona.</li><li>Appreciate the significance of the Churchill War Rooms – the site where critical wartime decisions were taken.</li><li>Be able to reflect on the relationship between leadership, place, memory and public legacy.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This is an introductory talk/walking tour - all welcome. An interest in the topic and to follow health and safety instructions from the tutor when out and about in London are the only requirements.</p><p>Moring talk followed by a guided tour offsite. Reading is not mandatory but the tutor will provide suitable materials to support your interests. </p><p>No other costs. Please wear clothing appropriate to the season and suitable walking shoes.</p><p>Please see the London History/London walks area of the City Lit website.</p>HistoryLondon history & walksvirtual475938HLW298NONESat02/05/2611:00 - 16:0011:0016:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetStephen GossAvailable courses2026-05-02T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities5959Churchill: His Life and Wartime Leadershipchurchill-his-life-and-wartime-leadership/hlw298-2526<p>Uncover the life, leadership and legacy of Winston Churchill. A one-hour illustrated talk followed by a walking tour of Westminster exploring Churchill’s London haunts, key wartime locations, and Churchill’s secret government bunker. Am at Keeley Street followed by a pm offsite walk. </p>0000-Available|2026-05-02 00:00:00<p>This half-day course explores the life, character, career and wartime leadership of Winston Churchill. Beginning with an illustrated talk, we trace Churchill’s early life, political rise, changing fortunes and return to government in 1940. We examine his leadership style, rhetoric, strategic thinking and relationships with military and political colleagues, as well as the pressures of guiding Britain through the Second World War.</p><p>Following the talk, a guided walking tour through Westminster visits key buildings, locations and memorials associated with Churchill. These sites illuminate the environments in which he worked, the decisions he made, and the way he is remembered. Together they reveal how Churchill’s life intersected with Britain’s institutions and how his legacy continues to be interpreted today.</p><p>Uncover the life, leadership and legacy of Winston Churchill. A one-hour illustrated talk followed by a walking tour of Westminster exploring Churchill’s London haunts, key wartime locations, and Churchill’s secret government bunker. Am at Keeley Street followed by a pm offsite walk. </p><ul><li>Churchill’s political and personal life: from soldier and minister to wartime Prime Minister and national icon.</li><li>His leadership style under extreme pressure: morale-building, rhetoric, decision-making in crisis.</li><li>Key locations of power: government offices, social clubs, streets of Westminster.</li><li>Everyday life of wartime London: how institutions, buildings, and people adapted under threat.</li><li>The secret wartime command centre beneath Whitehall: how the government continued to function under bombardment and blackout.</li><li>The legacy and memory of Churchill: how sites around London commemorate him today.</li></ul><p>By the end of this course, you should be able to:</p><ul><li>Understand Churchill’s life, strengths, and controversies.</li><li>Identify places associated with his government, social life, and public persona.</li><li>Appreciate the significance of the Churchill War Rooms – the site where critical wartime decisions were taken.</li><li>Be able to reflect on the relationship between leadership, place, memory and public legacy.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This is an introductory talk/walking tour - all welcome. An interest in the topic and to follow health and safety instructions from the tutor when out and about in London are the only requirements.</p><p>Moring talk followed by a guided tour offsite. Reading is not mandatory but the tutor will provide suitable materials to support your interests. </p><p>No other costs. Please wear clothing appropriate to the season and suitable walking shoes.</p><p>Please see the London History/London walks area of the City Lit website.</p>HistoryLondon history & walksconfigurable
11841178London history & walkshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/london-history-and-walks1/2/285/1177/1178/11841/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks
