20 exceptional small museums to visit in London

London is home to some of the world's greatest museums, like the Natural History Museum and the V&A Museum. However, discover a different side of London's cultural scene by exploring its lesser-known museum. From The Hunterian's intriguing surgical oddities to museums dedicated to figures like Florence Nightingale and Khadambi Asalache, explore our selection of twenty small museums and uncover London's cultural legacy from an entirely fresh perspective. 

Museum of the Home

Museum of the Home - exterior of 18th century, Grade 1 listed almshouses. Photo by Jayne Lloyd.

#FLODown: The Museum of the Home, formerly known as the Geffrye Museum, resides within 18th-century Grade I-listed almshouses in Hoxton. It's a chronicle of domestic interiors spanning 400 years, highlighting shifts in families, fashion, and innovation in Britain. After a substantial refurbishment and extension, the museum reopened in 2021. Despite its smaller size, it certainly warrants a half-day visit.

Location: 136 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA. Wesbite: museumofthehome.org.uk

Fan Museum

Fan Museum, Greenwich.

#FLODown: Did you know that London is home to a unique museum entirely dedicated to fans? Established in 1991 by Hélène Alexander MBE and her late husband, 'Dickie' A.V Alexander OBE, The Fan Museum in Greenwich is a tribute to the history, culture, and craftsmanship of fans. Housed in a beautifully restored Grade II* Listed Georgian townhouses, the museum focuses on preserving and showcasing the diverse legacy of fans. Hélène Alexander passionately recounts this journey in a film released during the museum's 25th-anniversary celebrations in 2016.

Location: The Fan Museum,12 Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ER. Website: thefanmuseum.org.uk.

The Brunel Museum

The Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe.

#FLODown: The Brunel Museum, initially the Brunel Engine House in Rotherhithe, transitioned from London Transport ownership to a charitable trust in the 1970s. Officially established in 2001, it proudly showcases the legacy of the distinguished Brunel engineering dynasty, offering a unique celebration of engineering, music, and theatre. In recent years, this Grade II listed site has transformed into a lively community space, hosting diverse events and educational programmes, including secret concert series, a nod to the first underground concert party that Brunel organised there in 1827.

Location: Brunel Museum, Railway Ave, London SE16 4LF. Website: thebrunelmuseum.com.

Sir John Soane’s Museum

Sir John Soane’s Museum. © MTotoe.

#FLODown: The Sir John Soane’s Museum preserves the home of the renowned architect Sir John Soane. Unchanged since Soane's passing in 1837, it showcases his collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, and paintings (including works by Hogarth, Turner, and Canaletto), along with an extensive archive of over 30,000 architectural drawings and a distinctive Egyptian sarcophagus. Continuing Soane's vision, the museum remains free for visitors, offering exhibitions, events, and support for research. At the end of each month, the Sir John Soane’s Museum hosts Soane Late sessions, providing a special opportunity for visitors to explore the collection after regular hours.

Location: 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP. Price: Free. Website: soane.org. 

Leighton House Museum

Narcissus Hall view from The Arab Hall, Leighton House © RBKC. Photo by Dirk Lindner.

#FLODown: Leighton House Museum, formerly the residence and studio of Victorian artist Frederic Leighton, combines artistry with impressive architecture designed by George Aitchison. The museum houses a notable collection of Victorian art, including works by Leighton. At its core is the Arab Hall, an opulent space with mosaic floors, a golden dome, and intricately tiled walls. Alongside this remarkable hall, visitors can discover a collection of sculptures and decorative pieces, providing a journey through Victorian creativity and elegance.

Location: 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ. Website: rbkc.gov.uk.

Fashion and Textile Museum

Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey.

#FLODown: The Fashion and Textile Museum, the sole museum in the UK dedicated to contemporary fashion and textile design, hosts a rotation of engaging temporary exhibitions showcasing innovative works from global designers, rather than a static collection. Established in 2003 by the renowned British designer Zandra Rhodes, it is currently managed by Newham College. Situated in the charming Bermondsey Village, its distinctive architectural design by acclaimed Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta makes it stand out!

Location: Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3XF. Website: fashiontextilemuseum.org.

The Garden Museum

The Garden Museum. © Ollie Tomlinson

#FLODown: The Garden Museum explores the history of British gardening through exhibitions and. delightful botanical displays. Housed in the deconsecrated church of St Mary-at-Lambeth since 1977, it features a courtyard garden by Dan Pearson and a medieval tower offering a unique view of the city. The museum also preserves the works of British garden designers in its Archive of Garden Design.

Location: Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB. Website: gardenmuseum.org.uk.

Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret

The Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret.

#FLODown: Located within the attic of the early eighteenth-century St Thomas’ Hospital church, the Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret provides a fascinating glimpse into medical history. This atmospheric museum houses the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe, predating anaesthesia and antiseptics. Alongside, it features a herb garret used for preparing medicinal herbs in the 18th and 19th centuries. Access to the theatre is via a narrow 52-step spiral staircase!

Location: Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, St Thomas’ Church, 9a St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY. Website: oldoperatingtheatre.com.

 Foundling Museum

Foundling Museum.

#FLODown: The Foundling Museum encapsulates over 275 years of history, telling the poignant story of the Foundling Hospital established by philanthropist Thomas Coram in 1739. Serving as a testament to the UK's inaugural children's charity, the museum has evolved into a significant public art gallery in London. Its eclectic collection includes sentimental tokens left by mothers, Handel's Will, and diverse artworks by contemporary artists like Yinka Shonibare, as well as historic pieces by Hogarth, Gainsborough, and Reynolds.

Location: Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ. Website: foundlingmuseum.org.uk.

Freud Museum

Freud Museum in Hampstead.

#FLODown: Freud Museum, formerly the residence of Sigmund Freud and his daughter Anna, stands as a testament to the legacy of psychoanalysis. Following the family's arrival in England as refugees, the house, which now holds Freud's study and his iconic psychoanalytic couch, became their final home. Anna Freud, upon her death in 1982, bequeathed the house to be transformed into a museum, which opened to the public in 1986. Its mission is to preserve Freud's collections and champion their intellectual and cultural significance.

Location: Freud Museum London,20 Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SX. Website: freud.org.uk.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Sherlock Holmes Museum.

#FLODown: The Sherlock Holmes Museum, situated within a Georgian townhouse on Baker Street , celebrates the legendary fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Although the museum bears the address 221B—a nod to Conan Doyle's stories—the actual location didn't exist during Holmes' supposed residency there. Faithfully recreating the Victorian-era boarding house where Holmes and Dr. Watson lived, the museum showcases Holmes' iconic possessions and meticulously reconstructs his study, offering visitors a glimpse into the detective's world.

Location: The Sherlock Holmes Museum, 221B Baker St, Westminster, London, NW1 6XE. Website: sherlock-holmes.co.uk.

Florence Nightingale Museum

Florence Nightingale Museum

#FLODown: The Florence Nightingale Museum at St Thomas Hospital pays homage to the iconic figure in nursing history. Explore Florence Nightingale's remarkable journey, from her affluent upbringing to her pivotal role during the Crimean War, advocating for improved healthcare. Discover her personal artefacts, including the famous lamp earning her the moniker "The Lady With The Lamp," encounter her pet owl, and witness her medicine chest. As the founder of modern nursing, Nightingale's legacy continues to inspire nurses worldwide.

Location: Florence Nightingale Museum, St Thomas’ Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EP. Website: florence-nightingale.co.uk.

Bank of England Museum

Bank of England Museum.

#FLODown: The Bank of England Museum takes visitors on a comprehensive journey through the bank's history, spanning from its establishment in 1694 to its current role as the UK's central bank. Explore the origins of paper money, discover the intricacies of banknote security, and engage with a real gold bar symbolising the Bank's substantial reserves. With a collection of 40,000 items spanning 1,500 years, the museum provides an opportunity to understand the Bank's historical significance and its impact on modern society.

Location: Bank of England Museum, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH. Website: bankofengland.co.uk.

Vestry House Museum

Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow.

#FLODown: Housed in a historic building constructed in 1730 as a workhouse, later repurposed as a police station, Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow became a local history museum in 1931. It shares the story of Waltham Forest through art and themed displays, offering a glimpse into local life and the borough's changes. The museum's garden, a hidden gem in the city, provides a wonderful space to relax.

The museum galleries are currently temporarily closed for renovations until early 2026.

Location: Vestry House Museum, Vestry Rd, London E17 9NH. Website:vestryhousemuseum.org.uk.

Hunterian Museum

The Hunterian Museum. The Royal College of Surgeons.

#FLODown: The Hunterian Museum, dedicated to honouring the legacy of surgeon John Hunter, recently reopened following significant redevelopment at the Royal College of Surgeons in London in May 2023. The museum showcases over 2,000 anatomical preparations from Hunter's collection, offering insights into surgical history and the evolution of medical practices, including robot-assisted surgeries. It stands as England's most extensive public showcase of human anatomy.

Location: The Royal College of Surgeons of England 38, 43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE. Website: hunterianmuseum.org.

575 Wandsworth Road

575 Wandsworth Road. Photo by Robin Forster

#FLODown: 575 Wandsworth Road stands as a preserved testament to Khadambi Asalache's artistic legacy. The house features meticulously crafted fretwork furniture, carefully curated textiles, pink and copper lustreware, and illustrations portraying African landscapes. The focal point of the house is Asalache's intricate pine fretwork, which has been meticulously hand-cut and applied to nearly every interior surface.

575 Wandsworth Road is currently closed for essential conservation until March 2024.

Location: 575 Wandsworth Road, London, Lambeth, London, SW8 3JD. Website: nationaltrust.org.uk.

Dr. Johnson’s House

Dr. Johnson’s House, City of London.

#FLODown:Dr. Johnson’s House, located near Fleet Street in the City of London, was Samuel Johnson's residence for over a decade in the mid-18th century. It witnessed his prolific writing phase, including the creation of the Dictionary of the English Language (1755). The historic townhouse is a notable example of a Queen Anne style, showcasing original architectural elements and offering a glimpse into 18th-century life.

Location: 17 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DE. Website: www.drjohnsonshouse.org.

St Bartholomew Hospital Museum

William Hogarth’s work on the wall of the grand staircase at St Bartholomew's hospital.

#FLODown: St Bartholomew’s Hospital, with a 900-year history, presents the evolution of healthcare through a museum filled with original archives, artworks, and objects. The collection features significant documents like Rahere’s grant from 1137 and a crucial agreement from 1546 between Henry VIII and the City of London. Located in the historic North Wing, next to the Grand Staircase with William Hogarth's paintings, it is beautiful!

The Museum is currently closed for the duration of building works to the North Wing and will reopen to visitors in 2025.

Location: St Bartholomew's Hospital, W Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE. Website: bartshealth.nhs.uk.

Pollocks Toy Museum

Pollock's Toy Museum’s iconic storefront at their former home in Fitzrovia.

#FLODown: Established nearly 70 years ago, Pollock's Toy Museum showcases a diverse collection of puppets, teddy bears, and traditional toys from different cultures. Named after Victorian toy theatre publisher Benjamin Pollock, the museum's inception focused on preserving historical playthings and theatres. Despite a recent closure, the museum temporarily resides in Croydon, offering workshops and a mini museum, with plans for a permanent home underway.

Website: pollockstoymuseum.co.uk.

Pitzhanger Manor

Pitzhanger Manor.

#FLODown: Pitzhanger Manor, originally Sir John Soane's peaceful retreat, reflects his architectural brilliance in the heart of Walpole Park. It's not just a historic site; it's been a part of Ealing for over a century. Once a cherished library, it transformed into a museum in 1987. After a £12 million restoration, Pitzhanger reopened in spring 2019, allowing the public to explore Soane's vision.

Location: Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, Ealing Grn, London W5 5EQ. Website: pitzhanger.org.uk.