Comprehensive museum tracing London's history from prehistoric times to the present. Highlights include the Great Fire experience, Roman London gallery, and the Lord Mayor's State Coach.
The Museum of London documents the history of the capital from its prehistoric origins to the present day and holds one of the most comprehensive urban history collections of any city museum in the world, with a permanent collection of over a million objects. The museum's galleries provide an unbroken narrative of London from Mesolithic settlements through the Roman city of Londinium, the medieval and Tudor metropolis, the early modern and Victorian expansion, and into the 20th century.
The Roman London gallery covers the period from approximately 43 CE, when Claudius's legions established Londinium on the north bank of the Thames, through to the late 4th century withdrawal. Excavated objects include personal jewellery, leather goods, mosaic fragments, and coin hoards recovered from City of London building sites over two centuries of continuous archaeology. The Cheapside Hoard, discovered in 1912 during demolition work near Cheapside and comprising around 500 pieces of Elizabethan and early Jacobean jewellery dating from approximately 1600, is one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in English history and forms the centrepiece of the Tudor and Stuart London section. The hoard is believed to have been a merchant's hidden stock of gemstones and finished pieces, buried and never recovered by its owner.
The Great Fire of London experience brings to life the September 1666 fire that destroyed over 13,000 houses and 87 parish churches across the medieval city. The Victorian Walk, a faithful recreation of late 19th-century London shop fronts and street furniture, presents period goods and interiors from pharmacy to pawnbroker. The Lord Mayor's State Coach, built in 1757 and still used annually in the Lord Mayor's Show each November, is one of the most spectacular single objects in the collection, measuring nearly 7 metres in length and elaborately decorated with painted panels by the Florentine artist Giovanni Cipriani.
The museum has consistently been free to enter and places its collection in the context of London as a living, changing city. Its approach to collection integrates oral histories, community objects, and contemporary photography alongside traditional archaeological material, tracing successive waves of migration from Roman and Saxon settlers through Huguenot weavers, Jewish East End communities, and Windrush-era arrivals.
Highlights
- Cheapside Hoard: approximately 500 pieces of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery discovered beneath a City cellar in 1912
- Lord Mayor's State Coach (1757): still used annually in November's Lord Mayor's Show, decorated by Giovanni Cipriani
- Roman London gallery: personal objects from Londinium including jewellery, leather goods, and coin hoards
- Great Fire of London audio-visual experience: recreating the September 1666 destruction of medieval London
- Victorian Walk: a faithful recreation of late 19th-century London shop fronts and street interiors
Tips for visiting
- Entry to the permanent collection is free with no ticket required
- The Cheapside Hoard gallery is one of the most extraordinary gem collections in any British museum — allow dedicated time
- The Victorian Walk is a family favourite and engaging for children learning about 19th-century daily life
- Combine a museum visit with a walking tour of the nearby Roman and medieval street patterns in the City of London
- The Roman London gallery's lower-level section includes original Roman city wall foundations visible through the building
- Allow 2 to 3 hours for a comfortable visit covering the main galleries from Roman London to the Victorian period
- Check the museum's current location and opening details on its website before visiting
Accessibility
The museum provides step-free entrances, lifts to all gallery levels, and accessible toilet facilities throughout. Confirm current accessibility arrangements on the museum's website before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Museum of London free?
Yes, entry to the permanent collection is free. Check the museum's website for current admission details and opening arrangements.
How long does a visit take?
A visit covering Roman London, the Great Fire experience, the Victorian Walk, and the Cheapside Hoard comfortably takes 2 to 3 hours.
What is the Cheapside Hoard?
The Cheapside Hoard is a cache of approximately 500 pieces of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery discovered beneath a cellar floor in Cheapside in 1912, thought to be a merchant's buried stock of gemstones and finished pieces from around 1600.
Is the museum accessible for visitors with disabilities?
The museum has step-free entrances, lifts, and accessible facilities throughout. Check the website for current accessibility details, particularly if visiting the new location.