Spies, Lies and Deception at IWM North

Spies, Lies and Deception comes to The Quays, cracking open a window into the shady world of espionage and secret operations that took place under the radar across the 20th and 21st centuries. The exhibition showcases how that carefully considered deception has shaped conflict. Learn about the ingenuity, risk and cunning minds behind some of history’s most extraordinary covert operations. 

Hidden gadgets, forged documents and disguised weapons will show you the lengths spies would go to in order to conceal their work. Even the smallest of objects were considered. They would not rule out anything if they thought it might give them an edge against their enemy. A hollow battery used to smuggle miniature film by MI6, an ordinary-looking pencil concealing a razor blade made by Special Ops, that kind of thing. They were creative and knew how to invoke danger into everyday items. 

As well as cool gadgets that you should not attempt to make at home, there are personal stories which reveal true courage and tragic fate at the hands of espionage. You can learn about Noor Inayat Khan, the first female SOE wireless operator to be sent into Occupied France. As you can probably imagine it was not all smooth sailing once she arrived. However, she did successfully transmit messages to London for four months. 

For the younger visitors, there is an interactive ‘Mission Room’ filled with coded clues and trails. Kids (and adults, there’s no age limit) can follow along and piece together the messages to be a part of their own spy missions. 

Whether you are well versed in the history of war, deception and trickery, a long time fan of espionage, or a complete novice, this new exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North will have you questioning your own reality.