December 21, 2024, 6:50 am | Read time: 9 minutes
On average, it rains almost half the days of the month in London. This is when the many museums in the British capital are particularly attractive. But it doesn’t always have to be the Tate Modern, the British Museum, or the Royal Portrait Gallery. London has many little treasures among its museums that hardly anyone knows about. Not only can you learn something, you can also have a lot of fun! TRAVELBOOK author Doris Tromballa presents her nine secret museum highlights that you shouldn’t miss on a trip to London
Of course, I also stand in awe of the huge installations at the Tate Modern in London or admire the Egyptian collection at the British Museum. But again and again I discover small, quirky collections or new, spectacular museums that London has to offer. You can wander through the home of a detective or be made to laugh by curious coin-operated machines. These are my nine secret museum tips for London.
1. Sherlock Holmes Museum
The world’s most famous detective “lived” at 221B Baker Street in London. At least that’s how his creator, the writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, described it. And it is precisely at this legendary address that London’s Sherlock Holmes Museum is located today. You are greeted at the door by a “Bobby”, a porter dressed in the uniform of a London policeman. The museum is a house furnished with many details in the style of the Victorian era, just as you would imagine Sherlock Holmes’ home to be.
From the study where he pored over tricky cases with Dr. Watson to a bedroom, a bathroom, and a cozy lounge with the famous fireplace. Props, such as a pipe, magnifying glass, and Holmes’ violin, bring the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to life. The museum operators have painstakingly collected all the exhibits at flea markets or from estates. The great thing is that you can touch everything here! You can sit in the wing chair and slip into Holmes’ Persian slippers. On the third floor, famous scenes from the Holmes detective novels are recreated with wax dolls. The museum’s souvenir store in London sells suitable souvenirs, such as pipes and detective hats. Prices: Adults, 20 pounds (equivalent to around 24 euros); children, 14 pounds (equivalent to around 16 euros); under 6s: free.
2. Cartoon Museum
Laugh out loud in the museum? Yes, please! At the London Cartoon Museum in the Fitzrovia district. The museum celebrates British humor: a diverse collection ranging from historical cartoons to modern graphic novels. Visitors can discover 250 years of cartoon history and trace the development of cartoon art. The works of Steve Bell, who “accompanied” the British royal family for 40 years with his sharp pen, are particularly exciting.
Younger visitors will enjoy the line drawings made for the “Wallace and Gromit” films. In addition to the exhibitions, the museum also offers interactive workshops where children and adults can draw for themselves. A highlight is the library, with a huge collection of comics and cartoons from all over the world. The museum store is a paradise for comic fans, with books, posters, and more to discover. Prices: Adults, 9.50 pounds (equivalent to around 11.50 euros); under 18s: free.
3. Neon Museum, God’s Own Junkyard
You almost have to close your eyes when you open the door to “God’s Own Junkyard“. The factory building in East London, which is relatively inconspicuous from the outside, houses a museum for neon art. “God’s Own Junkyard” contains countless luminous works of art, billboards, and flickering movie props. This garish paradise was created by the artist Chris Bracey, who became known as the “Neon Man”. Bracey learned the craft of lighting from his father and initially received commissions mainly from sex stores and revue bars.
One of his most famous works can be admired in Soho, on the façade of Raymond’s Revue Bar. He later worked for famous Hollywood stars, such as Stanley Kubrick and renowned artists, such as David LaChapelle. Bracey, therefore, called his collection “Sodom and Gomorrah mixed with art”. Jude Law, Kate Moss, Elton John, and Lady Gaga all have works by Bracey in their collections. Movie fans will recognize some famous pieces, such as works from “Batman” or “Eyes Wide Shut”. Coffee or cocktails are available in the adjoining café (the “Rolling Scones”). Please note: “God’s Own Junkyard” is only open from Friday to Sunday; admission is free.
4. Twist Museum
The Twist Museum in London in the middle of Oxford Street is a place that makes your senses do somersaults. Everything here revolves around optical illusions and perceptual phenomena. Immersion and participation are the order of the day: You stagger through rooms with sloping ceilings and floors, dance in front of a screen that dissects your reflection into wild streaks or stick your head into a tube that transforms everything into a crazy kaleidoscope.
The exhibitions combine art and science entertainingly. Which line is longer? Why is there suddenly a photo of Amy Winehouse on the white sheet? Amazement is guaranteed here. The museum is also perfect for original photos to make family and friends laugh or share on social media. With its constantly changing installations and shows, it always remains exciting. Prices: Adults, 23.50 pounds (equivalent to around 28 euros); children 19.50 pounds (equivalent to around 23.50 euros); discounts for families and for visits on weekdays before 3pm.
5. Museum of the History of Medicine, Wellcome Collection
The Wellcome Collection in London’s Bloomsbury district is a unique museum that combines science, medicine, and art in an innovative way. Founded by Henry Wellcome, a pharmacist and collector, it presents an impressive mix of historical artifacts and contemporary art. The exhibitions range from medical curiosities to social issues, such as health, identity, and technology.
Particularly fascinating is the permanent exhibition “Medicine Man”, which features weird and wonderful objects from the history of medicine, including shrunken heads, antique surgical tools, Napoleon’s toothbrush, and Darwin’s walking stick. Changing exhibitions deal with topics such as body perception or the ethics of science. Here, you can not only look, but also touch and try things out at many showcases and tables. With a café and a well-stocked library, the Wellcome Collection also invites visitors to linger. Admission is free, and it’s worth stopping by again and again, as the themes are always changing.
6. London Transport Museum
The “Roundel”, the logo of the London Underground, is world-famous. But who actually invented it? You can find out this and much more at the London Transport Museum, where visitors can experience an exciting journey through the history of London’s transport system. From the early horse-drawn streetcars of the 19th century to the iconic red double-decker buses and modern subway trains, the development of local public transport is vividly presented here. The historic vehicles, which have been lovingly restored and exhibited, are particularly impressive. You can sit in the old carriages and experience what traveling felt like back then.
These interactive stations make the museum special: for example, children can climb into an old bus or try their hand at being a tube driver in a simulator. The famous London Tube Map, which revolutionized network maps around the world, is also featured. The exhibition also shows how public transport has changed the lives of Londoners over the decades. For technology fans, there is an impressive collection of original plans and models. The museum is centrally located in Covent Garden. Anyone interested in design, history, or technology should not miss this museum. Price: 24.50 pounds (around 30 euros), ticket valid for as many visits as you like within a year.
7. Museum for Coin-Operated Machines, Novelty Automation
A small but absolutely unique museum can be found in Holborn: The Novelty Automation Museum showcases a quirky collection of coin-operated machines. And that’s exactly what visitors are supposed to do: You buy special coins (“tokens”) at the entrance and can use them to try out the machines. However, these machines are no ordinary slot machines. Each machine is a small work of art. Here, you can try a “money laundering machine” to bring black money to safety with a magnet or entrust your feet to a “pedicure machine”.
While one machine promises its visitors instant weight loss, the other offers a “micro-holiday” on a flying carpet that is better than any real trip. The museum is the work of inventor Tim Hunkin, who designed and built the machines himself with great attention to detail. Admission is free, one token costs one pound (equivalent to around 1.20 euros), 34 tokens cost 27 pounds (equivalent to around 32.50 euros; you need 34 tokens to try out all the machines).
8. Museum of Brands
Canned beans, perfume sprays, chocolate bars, stock cubes, gummy bear bags—we are surrounded by thousands of consumer products every day. The Museum of Brands is like a journey through time. It documents the development of British and international brands and consumer culture over 200 years. There are more than 12,000 objects, from historic packaging and advertisements to toys, radios, magazines, and everyday products. Particularly impressive is the “Time Tunnel”, a chronologically arranged corridor that shows the changes in design and marketing from the Victorian era to the present day.
Whether it’s the classic cornflakes packets from the 1950s or the first iPods, every era comes to life. The museum encourages us to think about our relationship with brands and consumption. It is a place for nostalgics, design lovers, and anyone interested in the history of everyday life. Workshops and special exhibitions offer additional insights into the world of advertising. After the tour, the café invites you to linger. Prices: Adults, 11.50 pounds (equivalent to around 13.80 euros); children, 6.50 pounds (equivalent to around 7.80 euros).
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9. Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum, Queen’s Old Bank Vault
Tucked away in the basement of the Hard Rock Café on Park Lane in London is an impressive collection of rock and pop exhibits. In the basement of the restaurant (there is a large red neon arrow pointing the way), you can see guitars by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and David Bowie, admire Madonna’s corsets (and even one of her credit cards), or marvel at outfits by Freddie Mercury.
The location is called “Vault”, because the room was once a highly secured vault at Coutts Bank, where the wealth of the British elite was stored. Princess Diana is said to have tried on her wedding dress here. The massive vault door still leads into the museum today, which has around 40 exhibits on display. Visitors can be guided through the collection by expert guides who provide anecdotes and background stories about the items on display. Admission is free.