• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Site News / Featured / The Fiver – Five Lesser-Known London Museums To Visit On Your Next Trip To London

The Fiver – Five Lesser-Known London Museums To Visit On Your Next Trip To London

Nov 16, 2016 By John Rabon

zn392252_942long

The Victoria & Albert Museum, British Museum, National Gallery and other major museums are visited by thousands of people every day.  They constitute some of the country’s greatest tourist attractions and temples of knowledge.  Yet, in a city such as London, there are many other museums that often go overlooked dedicated to all manner of people, events, and items of curiosity.  These museums may not be the first ones on your list to visit, but they should be considered for the unique qualities that they possess.  Of course, these five are by no means the only lesser-known museums to visit, so let us know some of your favourites in the comments.

Cinema Museum

Fans of classic cinema houses will want to visit the Cinema Museum in Lambeth, it was formed in 1986 and now resides in the Lambeth Workhouse, where Charlie Chaplin once lived as a boy.  Open for pre-booked tours throughout the year, the museum’s collection began with a collection of lobby cards and now includes film and projection equipment, posters, publications, uniforms, and items remaining from now-demolished cinemas from across the United Kingdom.  In the days of multiplexes and corporate-owned cinemas, Cinema Museum is a great reminder of days gone by.

Brunel Museum

The Thames Tunnel was built originally to transport cargo under the Thames River from one side to the other, its opening is now the home of a museum dedicated to its designers: Marc Isambard Brunel and Isambard Kingdom Brunel.  The museum itself is in the Engine House for the tunnel, which was home to the pumps that removed water from the river as the tunnel was being constructed.   Now the museum contains many tributes to the father and son team.  The terrace and gardens also have many tributes to Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s works, such as the benches made to resemble the Maidenhead, Hungerford, and Royal Albert bridges.

Magic Circle Museum at the Centre for Magical Arts

The Magic Circle is an organisation of British magicians and illusionists who exist to promote the magical arts in the United Kingdom.  Their headquarters near Euston Station contains a museum that celebrates the history of their profession and including many items from the concert halls of old as well as posters, playbills, and famous items including Harry Houdini’s handcuffs and props used by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, during his induction into the group.  The museum is available for pre-booked tours and exists on the first floor of the Magic Circle’s building, the Centre for Magical Arts.

Royal Academy of Music Museum

Formerly known as the York Gates Collections, the Royal Academy of Music hosts one of the finest museums dedicated to musicians and their craft.  As the oldest music conservatory in the United Kingdom, the Royal Academy’s museum contains instruments and memorabilia dating back to the 16th Century, such as string instruments by Antonia Stradivari.  The permanent exhibitions include the History of the Academy, the Piano Gallery, and the Strings Gallery, while also containing exhibits dedicated to the Bach Society’s 70th Anniversary and violinist Yeduhl Menuhin’s life and career.  A future exhibit is also planned featuring Robert Spencer’s collection of lutes, manuscripts, and music that spans 500 years.  The museum is upon from Monday to Saturday and can be toured for no charge, excepting some special exhibits.

New London Architecture

Located in The Building Centre, New London Architecture is an organisation dedicated to the future of the city’s buildings and an information resource to architects, government officials, and the public.  NLA has galleries open to the public to explain the ever-changing look of the city.  The galleries include a twelve-and-a-half-metre, 1:2000 scale interactive model of the city which includes proposed buildings that do not yet have final approval so that people can have an idea of how the city may transform in the future.  In addition to the New London Model, the museum contains exhibits on how the city has grown over its history, its workspaces, and how it relates to the growing number of retirees.  NLA also provides guided, scheduled tours for the public and permits the scheduling of bespoke tours on occasion.

John Rabon
Author: John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Featured, Museums, Tips, Travel

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenny Trite says

    Nov 17, 2016 at 11:21 am

    These museums are good- but what about the Foundling Museum 40 Brunswick Square.its well worth a visit

  2. William C Beal says

    Nov 22, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    A city of museums. For those interested in military history there is the National Army museum. History from the days of Cromwell to the present, Follows the engagement of
    the British army throughout the world and how it contributed to the formation of the British Empire.

  3. Denise says

    Nov 26, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Going on the 7th & will be visiting the Wallace Collection in between all the Christmas Markets…..should that be on this list?

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • What London West End Show do you most want to see?
  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • The Fiver – Five of the Best Walks in London
  • London Underground: Our 25 Top Tube Usage Tips for London Travelers
  • The Fiver – London’s Oldest Hospitals
  • Ten More of the Best Independent Cinemas in London
  • The Drain: A Brief History of the Waterloo & City Line
  • The Fiver – Five American-style Diners in London
  • 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Oxford Street
  • Tube History: A Brief History of the Victoria Line
  • The Fiver:  Five of the Most Expensive Restaurants in London
  • Top London Transport YouTubers To Subscribe To

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

London Underground: Our 25 Top Tube Usage Tips for London Travelers

Tube History: A Brief History of the Victoria Line

Top London Transport YouTubers To Subscribe To

10 Interesting Facts about the Bakerloo Line

A Brief History of the London Overground

Ten Interesting Facts about the District Line

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in