Museum of London & Museum of London Docklands

What better place is there to travel back half a million years, to a time when lions and hippos roamed Trafalgar Square, and to find out why people from all over the world came to settle in London. Displays are spread over two sites, the Museum of London in the City and its second venue close to Canary Wharf (where the emphasis is on London’s history as a port), both of which are now free to enter.

Best for: All ages (there are activities from ages 6 months and up)

20.00

Today

21°C
70°F

What to Expect:

Cafe/Restaurant
Educational
Free to enter
Great for kids 4-12
Great for teens
Open year-round
Public transport
Special events

What to do

Make a beeline for the spectacular Galleries of Modern London, where 7000 objects and interactive displays trace the capital’s tumultuous history from the Great Fire of 1666. Highlights include the chance to step inside an original prison cell, stroll though a life-size reconstruction of a Victorian pleasure garden or street scene and play at being a child in the 1950s in one of the family areas.

And of course, you cant expect to not see something about the monumentous event taking place this summer in London - the Olympics.

Other big-hitters with children are the Animals of Prehistoric London gallery, the Roman London market model, and the War, Plague and Fire gallery. Learning about London in the Blitz or during the Great Fire of London gives kids a real sense of historical London.

At the Docklands site, don’t miss the Mudlarks children’s gallery with its themed soft-play area for under-5s, and Sailortown, an atmospheric re-creation of 19th-century riverside Wapping, complete with the authentic smells!

See the museums’ excellent Come and Play page for suggestions for games and activities to help you make the most of your visit.

Try to time your visit with one of the lively program of free family events such as storytelling and creative workshops, for everyone from babies and up, on weekends and in school holidays. Note that some need booking in advance.

Help your kids make use of the museum’s excellent online games and quiz pages, where they can create their own costumes, undertake an archaeological dig and create a poster.

How

The nearest Tube stations to the main site are Barbican, St Paul’s and Moorgate. For the Docklands site, the best bet is West India Quay DLR (kids love sitting at the front of these automated trains and pretending to be the driver), but you can also to Canary Wharf Tube. Or come by riverboat from central London.

Eat

The main site has a foyer café serving light snacks and drinks plus, new in 2010, a restaurant and bar in the annex and a second café in the Museum of Modern London galleries.

The Docklands site has the 1802 lounge, bar and restaurant where you might snag a special offer such as a free kids’ pasta dish with an adult main course during the daytime.

Accommodation choices

Park Plaza County Hall London
from £144*
A hotel on London's Southbank where kids are treated like royalty and facilities include in-room kitchenettes....More about Park Plaza County Hall London
*per Studio Room per night for 2 adults and 2 children.
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Chancery Court Hotel
from £295*
Ideally located for families who prefer a bit of luxury whilst visiting the sights of London...More about Chancery Court Hotel
*Price from £295, subject to VAT (weekend) and from £354, subject to VAT (weekdays), terms and conditions apply
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Hilton Metropole
from £219*
A large city hotel near Madame Tussauds with indoor pool....More about Hilton Metropole
*per room per night. Evening meal and breakfast packages available. One child under 18 will stay free if sharing a room with parents. Meals are free for children under 10.
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