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Museum of London
Chronicles London's history from prehistoric times to present day with archaeological finds and immersive galleries.
About
Perched above Roman wall remnants, this urban history powerhouse chronicles how swampy Thames settlement became global metropolis. Six million objects tell 450,000 years of London life—from mammoth bones to Olympic torches, Roman bikinis to punk posters. Moving to West Smithfield soon, catch this Barbican location while you can.
Time Travel Through Objects
Roman galleries showcase leather bikini bottoms preserved in Thames mud, children's toys, and ornate mosaics from vanished villas. Medieval treasures reveal London's commercial rebirth. The Great Fire Experience immerses visitors in 1666's inferno through projections and sound.
Victorian Walk's recreated shopfronts invite window shopping across centuries. The Lord Mayor's golden coach—still used annually—embodies London's pageantry addiction. Modern galleries tackle everything from Blitz resilience to Brexit protests.
London Lives
The museum confronts difficult truths: slavery's wealth, immigrant struggles, housing crises. Suffragette banners, dockers' strike documents, and Brixton riot artifacts show Londoners fighting for change. Contemporary collecting captures today's history—from COVID masks to protest placards.
Free entry. Family backpacks transform visits into archaeological adventures. Handling sessions let visitors touch Roman pottery. The café overlooks actual Roman walls. Combine with nearby Barbican Centre for full cultural day.