While millions flock to the British Museum and Natural History Museum each year, London harbors dozens of fascinating smaller museums that showcase the city’s eclectic history and peculiar passions. Here’s our guide to London’s most unusual and specialized museums.
The Fan Museum, Greenwich
Housed in two beautifully restored Georgian townhouses, this unique museum is dedicated entirely to the art of the fan. Housing over 4,000 fans dating from the 11th century, it’s the world’s first museum dedicated to these elegant accessories. Don’t miss their afternoon tea in the orangery, surrounded by delicate hand-painted fans from around the world.
Dennis Severs’ House, Spitalfields
Less a museum and more a “still-life drama,” this Georgian terraced house has been preserved as if its 18th-century inhabitants had just stepped out. Complete with half-eaten meals, unmade beds, and authentic period scents, visitors experience a unique “silent” tour through London’s past.
The Old Operating Theatre Museum
Tucked away in the roof space of St. Thomas’s Church, this is Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre. Dating from 1822, it offers a fascinating (if somewhat gruesome) glimpse into pre-anesthetic surgery. The herb garret, where medicines were stored and prepared, is particularly atmospheric.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
An architect’s paradise, this house-museum contains Sir John Soane’s vast collection of artifacts and architectural elements, all ingeniously displayed in a house he designed himself. The basement’s Egyptian sarcophagus and the Picture Room’s ingenious folding walls are highlights.
The Magic Circle Museum
Open only by appointment, this museum celebrates the art of illusion. Housing props and memorabilia from famous magicians, including Houdini’s handcuffs, it’s a must-visit for anyone interested in magical history. The library contains the world’s largest collection of conjuring books.
The London Sewing Machine Museum
Located above a working sewing machine shop in Balham, this free museum displays over 600 machines, including a machine owned by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter and one of the first Singer machines to arrive in Europe.
The Museum of Brands
A nostalgic journey through 200 years of consumer culture, this fascinating collection in Notting Hill showcases packaging, advertisements, and brands from Victorian times to the present day. The time tunnel display is particularly evocative.
Horniman Museum
While larger than some on this list, this South London gem deserves mention for its eclectic collection, including an overstuffed walrus (incorrectly taxidermied by Victorians who had never seen a living specimen), an aquarium, and extensive musical instrument collection.
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities
Perhaps London’s strangest museum, this modern cabinet of curiosities in Hackney houses everything from dodo bones to celebrity nail clippings. The connected cocktail bar makes the experience even more surreal.
The Cartoon Museum
Celebrating British cartoon and comic art from the 18th century to the present day, this charming museum in Fitzrovia houses over 6,000 original artworks and a library of 8,000 books and comics.
The Garden Museum
Located in a former church in Lambeth, this museum celebrates British gardening history. The medieval tower offers spectacular views of Parliament, and the knot garden is a peaceful oasis.
Visiting Tips:
- Many of these museums have limited opening hours or require advance booking
- Some offer specialized tours or afternoon teas
- Student and senior discounts are often available
- Photography may be restricted in certain venues
- Consider combining visits with nearby attractions
These smaller museums offer intimate glimpses into specific aspects of London’s history and culture that you won’t find in the larger institutions. They’re often staffed by passionate experts and house collections that have been lovingly curated over decades.
The next time you’re in London, venture beyond the tourist trail and discover these hidden treasures. They represent the true eccentricity and depth of London’s cultural heritage, and often provide more memorable experiences than their larger counterparts.
Each of these museums tells a unique story about London’s history and the passionate collectors who helped preserve these fascinating aspects of our past. They’re a reminder that sometimes the most interesting discoveries lie off the beaten path.
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.
You missed out the Vagina Museum in Bethnal Green. I discovered it while doing the Conqueror London Virtual Challenge last year.