Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum
St Marys Hospital, Praed Street, W2 1NY, Tel: 020 7886 6528, Website:
www.imperial.nhs.uk, Open: 10am-1pm Mon-Thu,
Admission: £2 adults, £1 children and concessions, Tube: Paddington,
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A small museum housed in the same laboratory where Fleming made his discovery of penicillin in 1928
- an antibiotic which has done so much to aid man's fight against disease. A short video
presentation accompanies the museum's exhibits. London
Pass Accepted Here.
Bank of England Museum
Bartholomew Lane, EC2 8AH, Tel: 020 7601 5491, Website: www.bankofengland.co.uk, Open: 10am-5pm
Mon-Fri, Admission free, Tube: Bank,
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The museum, which is part of the Bank of England, lies at the heart of Britain's financial
centre - the City of London. Among the numerous exhibits are a selection of gold bars dating back several
hundred years, as well as an array of strong boxes, seals, coins and bank notes. Elsewhere, the
museum's interactive displays allow you to learn about the intricacies of bank note design and
production, while for budding currency traders there's even a computer-driven simulation of foreign
exchange dealing.
Bramah Tea and Coffee Museum
40 Southwark Street, SE1 1UN, Tel: 020 7403 5650, Website: www.teaandcoffeemuseum.co.uk, Open: 10am-6pm
daily, Admission: £4 adults, £3.50 concessions, £10 family ticket (2
adults and up to 4 children),
Tube: London Bridge,
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Devoted entirely to the history of tea and coffee, the Bramah Museum tells the story of trade
in both commodities from India, the Far East and Africa (over a 350 year period) including the time
of the British Empire. Along with an interesting exhibition of ceramics, silver, prints, posters
and other displays, there's a well-stocked shop and café. Perfect for traditional English
tea all year round! London
Pass Accepted Here.
Britain At War Experience
Churchill House, 64-66 Tooley Street, London Bridge, SE1 2TF, Tel: 020 7403
3171, Website: www.britainatwar.co.uk, Open daily 10am-5pm Oct-Mar, 10am-6pm
Apr-Sep, Admission: £10.45 adults, £26 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children), £4.95 children (5-15 years), £5.95 concessions,
children under 5 free, Tube: London Bridge,
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Providing an insight into the lives of Londoners during World War II, Churchill's Britain at War
Experience uses dramatic film-studio style effects to dramatise the terror of the Blitz.
By entering a London Underground lift, you're immediately transported back to
the war-torn capital of the 1940s. As well as listening to famous speeches made by Churchill,
Chamberlain, Roosevelt and Hitler, you can walk through a bombed out street or visit a period shopping
arcade (complete with goods priced in pounds, shillings and pence). In addition, there are exhibits
covering rationing, evacuations from London and preparations made by families for surviving the
Luftwaffe's bombing raids. A worthwhile visit for adults and children alike. London
Pass Accepted Here.
 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG, Tel:
020 7323 8299, Website: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk, Open:
10am-5:30pm Sat-Wed, 10am-8:30pm Thu-Fri, Tube: Russell Square,
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If you're planning to visit only one museum during your stay in London, then the British Museum
should be top of your list. Not only is it the oldest museum in the world but, since its inception
in 1753, the institution has managed to build an unrivalled collection of exhibits from the ancient
world, many of them gifts from wealthy collectors.
The museum's exhibitions are divided by civilizations, with stunning displays
highlighting those of Greece, Rome, Egypt (the collection of Mummies is simply awe inspiring) and
the Orient. Artefacts include such revered items as the Elgin Marbles (involved in an ongoing
cultural tug-of-war between the British and Greek Governments) and the Rosetta Stone (the key to
translating hieroglyphics).
 In
addition, the controversial Great Court, which has enclosed and remodelled the
former Inner Courtyard almost merits a visit here on its own. Despite there being criticism about the "wrong type of
stone" being used for the new structure, it nonetheless provides a spectacular entrance to the
museum's main galleries.
And, as there's so much to see, plan to spend at least half a day here (even then you'll only have
scratched the surface of the museum's exhibits). What's more, entry is free, although donations are
welcomed. London
Pass Accepted Here.
 28 Shad Thames, SE1 2YD Tel: 020 7940 8790, Website: www.designmuseum.org, Open: 10am-5.45pm
daily (last admission 5.15pm), Admission: £8.50 adults, £6.50
concessions, £5 Students, Free for children 12 or under, Tube: Tower Hill,
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Containing two main galleries, the Design museum is housed in a fine 1930s style building in the
revitalised area of Shad Thames. One gallery displays temporary exhibitions and displays while the
Review Gallery (on the first level) plays host to innovative contemporary design pieces. Also
houses the popular Conran owned Blue Print Café.
Please click here to read the museum's
review within our main sightseeing pages.
17 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DE, Tel: 020 7353 3745, Website: www.drjohnsonshouse.org, Open: 11am-5pm
Mon-Sat Oct-Apr, 11am-5:30pm Mon-Sat May-Sep, Closed Sun and Bank Holidays, Admission: £4.50
adults, £3.50 senior citizens and students, £1.50 children, £10 family ticket,
Tube: Blackfriars/Temple/Chancery Lane,
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As the former home of Dr Johnson - the 18th century scholar who is credited with publishing the
first definitive English Dictionary - the museum attempts to recreate his workplace with period
furnishings and etchings, along with a 'classroom like' attic where six scribes helped him to
compile the dictionary. As well as providing valuable insight into his life, the museum (which is
situated in the historic area around Fleet Street) is also a nicely restored example of an upmarket
17th-century home.
Fan Museum
12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8ER, England, Tel: 020 8305 1441,
Website: www.fan-museum.org,
Open: 11am-5pm Tue-Sat, noon-5pm Sun, Closed Mon, Admission: £4 adults, £3
concessions, children under 7 free, Nearest station: DLR Cutty Sark,
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As the world's only dedicated fan museum, the collection houses over 3000 different hand-held fans,
with examples dating from the late 11th century right up to the present day. Housed in an extremely
attractive Georgian townhouse, exhibits detail the types of materials used, as well as exploring
different production methods around the world. Arranged by theme, it's a surprisingly interesting
little museum which, as well as being close to other sights in Greenwich, is comparatively
inexpensive to visit. London
Pass Accepted Here.
St Thomas's Hospital, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7EW, Tel: 020 7620
0374, Website: www.florence-nightingale.co.uk, Open: 10am-5pm Mon-Fri,
10am-4.30pm Sat-Sun,
Admission: £5.80 adults, £4.80 senior citizens, children, students, £16 family
ticket (2 adults, 2 children), Tube: Westminster/Waterloo,
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Known as "the lady with the lamp", Florence Nightingale was a nurse who, having accompanied British
forces during the Crimean War, revolutionised the care of the wounded soldiers in hospital wards
and set new standards for treatment and hygiene. This small museum sets out to document her life,
with historic exhibits accompanied by a detailed slide show. London
Pass Accepted Here.
Golden Hinde Living History Museum
 St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9DE,
Tel: 0870 011 8700, Website: www.goldenhinde.org, Open: Usually 10am-2pm daily but check in advance,
Admission: £6 adults, £4.50 children,
£18 family ticket (2 adults and up to 2 children), Tube: London Bridge,
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A replica of the original sailing galleon which Sir Francis Drake used to circumnavigate the world
between 1577 and 1580. The modern day version which, having been launched in the early 70s has also
covered over 140,000 miles, is now docked St Mark Overie (next door to Southwark Cathedral). The
tour around the five deck vessel is certainly fun for kids, with excellent narrative about life on
the ocean waves, as well as instruction on how to fire one of the ship's 22 cannons.
Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, SW1E 6HQ, Tel: 020 7414 3271,
Website: www.theguardsmuseum.com,
Open:
10am-4pm daily (last entry 3:30pm), Admission: £2 adults, £1 concessions, children
under 16 free, Tube: St James's Park,
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A small museum chronicling the history of the British army's famous Guards Regiments. Along with a
fine selection of tunics, weaponry and military paintings, there's an excellent gift shop stocking
all manner of toy soldiers. London
Pass Accepted Here.
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ, Tel: 020 8699 1872, Website: www.horniman.ac.uk,
Open daily 10.30am-5.30pm, Free admission, Nearest railway station: Forest Hill,
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Based on a collection by the 19th-century tea trader Frederick Horniman, this purpose-built museum
(which was enlarged in 2001) houses an eclectic collection of stuffed animals, plants and
geological specimens from around the world. In addition, a permanent 'African Worlds' gallery
provides insight into the heritage and history of African countries, while the
'Living Waters'
aquarium holds indigenous species of fish with displays to help demonstrate the life cycles of
rivers.
Elsewhere, the Apostle Clock depicts scenes from the life of Christ as it strikes at 4pm,
while the museum's 16 acre gardens include a sunken garden, animal enclosure, terrace and a
Victorian conservatory transported from Mr Horniman's family home in Croydon.
Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ, Tel: 020 7416 5320, Website: www.iwm.org.uk, Open daily: 10am-6pm, Free
Admission, Tube: Lambeth North,
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Housed in what was once the Bethlehem Hospital for the Insane (known more commonly to Londoner's as
"Old Bedlam") the Imperial War Museum's exhibits cover all conflicts since 1914 in which British or
Commonwealth forces have been involved. Spread out over four large floors, items on display include
a World War II Spitfire, a V2 rocket, tanks and artillery pieces. Elsewhere, there's a large and
impressive display of 20th century war art, which is supplemented by numerous poignant photographs
and film footage.
Permanent displays include an exhibition on secret war espionage, a walk through a WWI trench and
'The Blitz Experience', which shows how war affected the civilian population of London (and other
UK cities) during WWII.
The Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm (except for 24-26 December).
Important Note: Currently closed
for renovation until 2009
Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street, NW1 7NB, Tel: 020 7284 1997,
Website: www.jewishmuseum.org.uk,
10am-4pm Mon-Thu, 10am-5pm Sun. Closed Friday, Saturday, Jewish Festivals and Public Holidays.
Tube: Camden Town,
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Housing a collection of Jewish ceremonial and religious art, the museum operates in conjunction
with a second site in Finchley (which along with temporary exhibitions, covers the socio-political
history of London's Jewish community). London
Pass Accepted Here (Camden).
Important Note: Closed for renovation until Autumn 2008
Keats Grove Hampstead London NW3 2RR, Tel: 020 7435 2062, Website: www.keatshouse.org.uk,
Opening Hours Vary, Admission: £3.50 adults, £1.75 concessions,
children aged 16 and under free, Tube: Belsize
Park/Hampstead,
Show Map
Operated by the Corporation of London, Keats' House is a museum which depicts the life and works of
the celebrated poet, including his association with long-time girlfriend Fanny Brawne. Originally
built as two separate Regency villas, visitors can study manuscripts and letters, as well as
enjoying the museum's shared front garden. With Keats dying prematurely from tuberculosis at the
young age of 25, the chronology of his tragic demise is also covered.
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