The Secrets of Radar Museum
The Secrets of Radar Museum
4.5
About
At The Secrets of Radar Museum we ask you to imagine keeping a secret for 50 years. Could you do it? Thousands of Canadian men and women who served in radar during World War II did just that. They took their oath of secrecy to heart, keeping the truth from family and friends, many taking their service history to the grave before the Official Secrets Act expired in 1991. They were radar mechanics, operators, teachers, trainers, physicists, and researchers. Their actions, deeds, and experiences went unknown and unrecorded when many of the most important histories of WWII were being written. The Secrets of Radar Museum preserves their history through physical exhibits, a substantial research archive, and oral histories recounted by the veterans themselves. Their legacy informs the radar history of the Cold War, which we also explore in displays and online. Radar is a ubiquitous part of our modern lives, so pervasive that most of the time we aren't even aware of it. We exist to remind you that regular men and women, just like you and me, affected not just the outcome of WWII, but the technological and scientific trajectory of the 20th century. We are the only museum of this kind in Canada.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
15 reviews
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10
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3
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Danny
5 contributions
Aug. 2023
We went here during our holiday, We got there rather late in the afternoon (around 4), so not much time was left before closing. We got a tour of the museum from (if I remember well) Steve and Elizabeth. They were so enthusiastic and passionate about the topic that we stayed well after closing time enjoying their explanations and stories. It's the stories that make this museum come alive. We learned a great deal about a topic we knew little about.
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
khough
14 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Absolutely fantastic tour, displays, and information. Steve showed us around and was a delight. We learned so much and were having such a great time we didn't even realize we'd been there for 2 hours! Definitely worth the venture.
Written May 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe Abley
London, Canada2 contributions
Apr. 2019 • Couples
A friendly and fascinating insight into some local history I knew nothing about, staffed by knowledgable and enthusiastic volunteers. Note (as others have) that the airport has moved out to Crumlin Side Road, out by the airport.
Written April 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
interceptpubs
Columbus, IN1,023 contributions
Aug. 2018 • Solo
First off, this museum has moved - it is now out by the airport at 2155 Crumlin. It shares a building with the local chapter of the RCAF Association with the radar museum occupying the back side of the building.
Radar is one of the great technological innovations of the Second World War. Radar allowed military forces to find and precisely measure the range between them and enemy ships and aircraft using radio waves - hence, RAdio Detection And Ranging or RADAR. Of course, getting the technology out of the laboratory and into the hands of soldiers, sailors, and airmen required training the military operators who would use this technology. Being based on radio waves, the basic principles were not that dissimilar to operating radio communication sets. Canada, being a sparsely populated country involving great distances, had a particular affinity with amateur or HAM radio and, hence, many radio operators who could make use of their background to good advantage. It's not surprising when the British were looking for more and more radar technicians and a place away from combat to train them, that Canada came to mind. London, Ontario was chosen as a key training site for these new technicians - along the way even some Americans got their initial instruction on the new technology here as well.
This museum provides some good background on the development of radar and its application in World War II and even beyond to more recent times. Of course, the radar school operated in London is also covered in good detail.
We spent a little under an hour here, but then we ran into someone from the local RCAF Association chapter who showed us their meeting space/museum area as well. Admission is free.
Radar is one of the great technological innovations of the Second World War. Radar allowed military forces to find and precisely measure the range between them and enemy ships and aircraft using radio waves - hence, RAdio Detection And Ranging or RADAR. Of course, getting the technology out of the laboratory and into the hands of soldiers, sailors, and airmen required training the military operators who would use this technology. Being based on radio waves, the basic principles were not that dissimilar to operating radio communication sets. Canada, being a sparsely populated country involving great distances, had a particular affinity with amateur or HAM radio and, hence, many radio operators who could make use of their background to good advantage. It's not surprising when the British were looking for more and more radar technicians and a place away from combat to train them, that Canada came to mind. London, Ontario was chosen as a key training site for these new technicians - along the way even some Americans got their initial instruction on the new technology here as well.
This museum provides some good background on the development of radar and its application in World War II and even beyond to more recent times. Of course, the radar school operated in London is also covered in good detail.
We spent a little under an hour here, but then we ran into someone from the local RCAF Association chapter who showed us their meeting space/museum area as well. Admission is free.
Written August 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raeliled
London, Canada1 contribution
Jul. 2018 • Solo
Just to let people who are looking to visit know, the location of the museum address has change to 2155b Crumlin Sideroad. It looks like they have tried to update, it is adjacent to the Wing but the street address doesn't seem to have gone through properly.
Written July 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LunaLove
Montreal, Canada1,064 contributions
Jul. 2017 • Family
Hidden gem by the ponds and LHSC that I doubt many locals even know about. So much information to be had. Fascinating.
Written September 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scampersmom
London34 contributions
Oct. 2016 • Family
We went to the Secrets of the Radar Museum for Doors Open London. We had never been before and weren't sure what to expect. We found the staff helpful and the history interesting. It's not a very large museum but it was worth stopping in for a look. Our daughter is 7 and found it interesting as well. She enjoyed writing her name in code.
Written October 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
W W
London, Canada506 contributions
Sep. 2016 • Couples
This museum is worth finding behind Parkwood Hospital in London in an old WWII vintage building, shared with the London Amateur Radio Club. Run by historians, the Amateurs can fill you in on technology if that's your thing. An interesting collection of real orginal equipment and the story of how it was covered by the Official Secrets Act for 50 years... but now, you can know what they knew and see how they knew it.
Written September 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WeeTravel1978
London, Canada32 contributions
May 2016
This museum explains Canada's role in Radar throughout our involvement in the world's wars. When visiting they have a guided tour and very informative staff. An interesting museum tucked in a genuine serene atmosphere.
Written July 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robby G C
Toronto, Canada78,235 contributions
Mar. 2015 • Couples
We had no idea that radar technology was classified top secret during World War 2 and that radar made a great impact to win against the Nazis. It was quite interesting to learn all about the radar technology. Did you know that radar wave as faster than a car. In o,oo4 seconds it travels over 2900 km. At first it was developed as a death ray, instead it helped spot the enemy.
It was worthwhile a visit and all that for free. Donations though are welcome.
It was worthwhile a visit and all that for free. Donations though are welcome.
Written August 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingTHE SECRETS OF RADAR MUSEUM - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Secrets of Radar Museum
- The Secrets of Radar Museum is open:
- Sat - Sat 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Hotels near The Secrets of Radar Museum:
- (0.76 km) Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre
- (0.85 km) NoMad London
- (1.26 km) Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, London South, ON
- (2.97 km) Idlewyld Inn & Spa
- (4.18 km) Hotel Metro
- Restaurants near The Secrets of Radar Museum:
- (1.18 km) Fionn MacCool's
- (0.62 km) Red Lobster
- (0.68 km) Shelly's Tap and Grill
- (1.10 km) Mandarin Restaurant
- (0.72 km) Shiki Japanese Restaurant