iLondon Museum
Formerly the Museum of London, it's reopening in late 2026 at West Smithfield in two beautifully converted Victorian market buildings. The move gives it dramatically more space to tell London's story — from Roman foundations to the present day. The permanent galleries in the General Market building are the first phase; the Poultry Market wing with temporary exhibitions follows in 2028. A museum reborn.
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What's On
Permanent Collections
Docklands at War: 1939–1945
How London's docks survived the Blitz and powered Britain's war effort from Dunkirk to D-Day, told through wartime objects and personal stories.
No. 1 Warehouse: Intro gallery
An introductory gallery set in the museum's own Georgian sugar warehouse, telling the story of the West India Docks and nearly 200 years of dock life.
Trade Expansion: 1600–1800
Meet the merchants, sailors and pirates who transformed London between 1600 and 1800 as ships brought spices, tea and silk from around the world.
City and River: 1800–1840
London's transformation in the early 19th century, when new docks, bridges and the Thames Tunnel reshaped the city and made it the world's pre-eminent port.
London, Sugar & Slavery: 1600 – present
One of the UK's only permanent galleries on London's role in transatlantic slavery, tracing the trade's profits, the resistance movements and the campaign for abolition.
First Port of Empire: 1840–1880
How London's docks became the centre of world trade as British imperial power expanded, covering the era of iron shipbuilding and massive growth along the Thames.
New Port, New City: 1945 – present
The dramatic reinvention of Docklands from post-war rubble through dereliction to the gleaming towers of Canary Wharf — tracing how a working port became a new city.
Sailortown: 1840–1850
A recreated Victorian Wapping street you can walk through, with the sights, sounds and smells of a 19th-century dockside neighbourhood and its pub.
Warehouse of the World: 1880–1939
London as a global trading hub at the height of its powers, with exotic commodities flowing through the docks and the pivotal 1889 dockers' strike transforming working conditions.
Plan Your Visit
Getting there
Hours
| Mon | 10:00–18:00 |
| Tue | 10:00–18:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–18:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–18:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–18:00 |
| SatToday | 10:00–18:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–18:00 |
Admission
Free
Special exhibitions may require paid tickets
Accessibility
The new site is designed to be fully accessible with step-free access throughout.
Last verified
Nearby
Visitor Information
- Is London Museum free to visit?
- Yes, general admission to London Museum is free. Special exhibitions may require paid tickets. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
- What are the opening hours of London Museum?
- London Museum is open Opening 28 Nov 2026. Expected daily 10:00–18:00.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
- Where is London Museum?
- London Museum is located at West Smithfield, London EC1A 9DD, in the Smithfield area of London. The nearest stations are Farringdon, Barbican and St Paul's.
- What can I see at London Museum?
- London's story from prehistoric times to the present, in a spectacular new Smithfield home. Current highlights include Docklands at War: 1939–1945, No. 1 Warehouse: Intro gallery and Trade Expansion: 1600–1800.
- Do I need to book London Museum in advance?
- London Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Special exhibitions may require paid tickets. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
- When is the best time to visit London Museum?
- Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
- Is London Museum accessible?
- The new site is designed to be fully accessible with step-free access throughout.
Image credits
14
- London MuseumMatt Brown / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- No. 1 Warehouse: Intro gallery©Museum of London
- Trade Expansion: 1600–1800© London Museum. © Terry Graham / London Museum
- City and River: 1800–1840© Terry Graham / London Museum
- London, Sugar & Slavery: 1600 – present© London Museum. © Terry Graham / London Museum
- By Appointment Only: Romani Art, Culture & Heritage© London Museum
- First Port of Empire: 1840–1880©London Museum
- New Port, New City: 1945 – present© London Museum. © Terry Graham
- Sailortown: 1840–1850© Terry Graham / London Museum
- Warehouse of the World: 1880–1939© London Museum. © Terry Graham / London Museum
- Barbican CentreJulian Herzog / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
- Sir John Soane's MuseumSarah Smith / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Tate ModernAcabashi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Courtauld GalleryAnthony O'Neil / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0