London Transport Museum
Exclusively for family groups, join us at our Museum Depot in Acton, west London to uncover stories about our very special vehicles. 9 Apr.
This interactive museum traces the history of London’s world-famous transport system. From the entertaining entrance, where audiovisual recordings of transport systems in New York, Tokyo, Paris, Shanghai and New Delhi, as well as London, are shown on screens, you are whisked by lift to the second floor – and back to 1800 where the capital's first licensed public transport – the sedan chair – and a horse-drawn omnibus from 1805, its painted, flower-bordered designs announcing still-familiar routes, are on show.
The first floor holds the most exciting displays, including the first underground engine (steam-powered) and a wooden Metropolitan Railway coach (converted to electricity in 1901); one of several exhibits you can board. Frank Pick, the man responsible for rolling out the London Underground brand and giving each line its own character and ensuring the emblematic bar and circle logo became an intrinsic part of London's visual identity, to the extent it now signifies 'tube station' without the need for words, is the focus of the design display. London Transport's posters – by the likes of Abram Games, Graham Sutherland and Ivon Hitchens – are on show, as is Harry Beck's original tube map.
A family play zone for children aged 0-7, All Aboard, features a fleet of mini vehicles to climb into and play on. Kids can repair a little tube train, sail the 'Thames Nipper', play in the lost property office and try musical instruments on busking spots. The Baby DLR features an interactive wall and building blocks to keep infants entertained.
Whether you’ve got train-obsessed kids, you’re a London history nerd, or you love beautiful classic design, there’s something for everyone at this museum full of heritage gems.
One of the museum highlights is the chance to sit in the driver's cab of a red bus and the chance to guide a Northern Line simulator through tunnels and up to platforms, so big kids will have plenty of fun, too.
Daily 10am-6pm (last admission 5pm). An off-peak annual pass allows entry to the museum on weekdays after 2pm during term time and the summer school holidays.
£24.50, £23.50 concs, under-18s free; tickets valid for one year.
If you’ve never been on one of the London Transport Museum’s Hidden London tours, you’re missing out. I can highly recommend these fascinating trips, led by super knowledgeable guides, that let you explore parts of the underground network that are now closed to the public and some that are like time capsules of London’s past. There’s a range of different tours from ones exploring Charing Cross station’s disused spaces and others rediscovering bits of the underground used in WWII. From personal experience, they book up fast, so look lively for tickets.
See more of London's best museums and discover our guide to the very best things to do in London.
Discover the history of London’s transport and uncover the stories of those who have travelled and worked in London over the past 200 years. Explore the Capital’s heritage and see how technology is shaping the future.
Want to go behind the scenes? Our Hidden London tours offer exclusive access to disused stations, and the Museum’s Depot in west London can be visited through pre-booked guided tours and special events.
