8 Children's Museums in London That You Shouldn't Miss

October 28, 2021 Brain Ambrose

The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market…in London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture aficionados shouldn't miss the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. If you love fashion, Oxford Street has shopping galore. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will love seeing Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, of course).
Restaurants in London

1. Centre of the Cell

4 Newark Street Blzard Institute, London E1 2AT England +44 20 7882 2562 [email protected] http://www.centreofthecell.org/
Excellent
100%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Centre of the Cell

2. The Institution of Civil Engineers Visitor Centre

One Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3AA England +44 20 7665 2252 [email protected] http://www.ice.org.uk/events/exhibitions/ice-invisible-superheroes-exhibition
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

The Institution of Civil Engineers Visitor Centre

The Institution of Civil Engineers showcases the vital role civil engineers play transforming lives and safeguarding our future. The new 2019 exhibition explores the hidden depths of water engineering and the work of behind-the-scenes heroes who fight fatbergs and flooding. The main installations include Sir Joseph Bazalgette's Captain Sanitation character built of LEGO bricks and a giant Fatberg Monster sculpture. The exhibits celebrate Bazalgette's 200th birthday this year and his pioneering work in creating the London sewer system, while also highlighting the modern day challenge of fatbergs. Explore the educational exhibition displays that walk visitors through various engineering projects that help keep the water infrastructure supported. Watch films in the ICE media cube, explore VR worlds and get hands-on building some civil engineering models in the activity zone with LEGO.

Reviewed By 528gilesb

I visited while in charge of 40 Italian teenagers and have to say we all loved the experience. The group were left to their own devices and each found something that interested them - made my job very easy! Thank you to our guide Debra for being kind, helpful in navigating the exhibition and - most of all - fun!

3. Jewish Museum

129-131 Albert Street Camden Town, London NW1 7NB England +44 20 7284 7384 [email protected] http://www.jewishmuseum.org.uk/
Excellent
62%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 295 reviews

Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum London is for people of all backgrounds and faiths to explore British Jewish heritage, identity and culture. Set against a spacious and modern architectural backdrop with displays across four permanent galleries, the museum brings the Jewish story to life, placing it in a wider context of British history. Our education programmes, exhibitions and events encourage a sense of discovery and creativity and tell the story of Jewish history, culture and religion in an innovative and compelling way.

Reviewed By Q2400ECsandras - Maringa, Brazil

A rich place that makes us think about religion, tradition, migration, life and death. It makes us remember that the history of mankind is made of people and their actions... Definitely worth the visit!

4. Royal Air Force Museum London

Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL England +44 20 8205 2266 [email protected] http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/
Excellent
71%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,647 reviews

Royal Air Force Museum London

The Royal Air Force Museum London is a national museum that celebrates and commemorates the story of the Royal Air Force. Given that London has now moved into a Tier 4 designated area, our London site is now closed until further notice. On 30 June 2018 we launched three new innovative galleries that explore the first 100 years of the RAF, its role today and will invite visitors to imagine its future contribution and technology. The rest of our site including our multi award-winning First World War in the Air Galleries, Historic Hangars and Bomber Command Hall are also open – offering a great day out to all our visitors. Explore the RAF’s story through our programme of events, lectures and temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Our staff and volunteers are here to help you have a great time. We look forward to welcoming you.

Reviewed By Evertonwon1 - Gainsborough, United Kingdom

I was here 30 odd years ago .and going back it was a new experience all over again ,Exhibits i was gobsmacked Sunderland flying boat in the cafe area and open to visitors a dream came true ,didnt know they had one .all sheds?? Accessible clean light and all staff enjoyed meeting them all friendly, mention must be made to the 2 young ladys in the cafe at hanger 1 Thankyou for being pleasant too 3 old northern gits ????????❤ smart and very nice to talk too.prices i think very reasonably done .gift shops in most of hangers main one at entrance 1 we were like kids in a sweet shop .I left it to long to revisit, I will be back again this year .thank you .oh its Free to get in ????????

5. Hackney Museum

1 Reading Lane, London E8 1GQ England +44 20 8356 3500 [email protected] http://www.hackney.gov.uk/cm-museum.htm#.VdKsg62lyko
Excellent
76%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Hackney Museum

Reviewed By Akkers1 - London, United Kingdom

I never went here when I lived in the area but this is now the second time that I have visited. It’s a real little gem of a museum located on the ground floor of the Hackney Library and here you can learn all about the people who made Hackney their home in previous times right up to the diversity of the present day neighbourhood. There are a few interactive areas for children, interesting exhibits and the staff are friendly and very helpful. My family have lived in the area for generations, so on my first visit I had to smile as there is a photo of the bakers that my Mum used to talk about going to when she was a little girl, B.Smulevitch, that used to be in Well Street and according to her used to have the best bread and cakes in the area. There is also the confusing map that I used to like pressing all the buttons on when I was little from Dalston. If you are lucky they will also have an exhibition on which at the moment until May 18 is Making her Mark 100 years of woman’s activism in Hackney, which was really interesting. If you are planning to go along note that they are not open on a Monday, Sunday or on Bank Holidays. It's free to enter and you can stay for as long or short a time as you wish. It’s well worth a visit and I am sure that you will find something to interest you.

6. Pollock's Toy Museum & Shop

1 Scala Street, London W1T 2HL England +44 20 7636 3452 [email protected] http://www.pollockstoymuseum.co.uk
Excellent
35%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
12%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 155 reviews

Pollock's Toy Museum & Shop

Pollock's Toy Museum is the oldest Toy Museum in the UK. House in two atmospheric buildings filled with over 4000 toys from around the world. At its heart, is the toy theatre collection. The Museum is named after Mr Pollock the last of the Victorian toy theatre publishers and still makes and sells theatres.

Reviewed By S794GFmichaels

Don’t expect a highly curated history of the toy. This is an EXPERIENCE. It felt unchanged since I last visited in 1968 and I loved it. You cannot fake the atmosphere, Pollocks is the real thing. Absolute Treasure. Funny to read the other reviews some of which just don’t get it.

7. V&A Museum of Childhood

Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA England +44 20 8983 5200 [email protected] http://www.museumofchildhood.org.uk/home/
Excellent
41%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 847 reviews

V&A Museum of Childhood

Welcoming over 400,000 visitors through its doors every year, the V&A Museum of Childhood in London's Bethnal Green houses the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection of childhood-related objects and artefacts, spanning the 1600s to the present day.

Reviewed By MissRunk - Rickmansworth, United Kingdom

Went with my 3 year old and he had a ball. There is a sand pit, a building area with pretend bricks, a fire engine with dressing up, duplo, rocking horses, toys that move with 20p, things to touch, zoetropes a baby area and his favourite was the ping pong balls through the tubes into the buckets. It was free entry and just a block from the tube (a few steps up to ground level so not entirely push chair friendly). Also interesting exhibits for adults too. Toys from childhood and older. Cafe was OK but if I go again I’d take a packed lunch as there wasn’t a great deal of choice. Venue was very impressive and push chair friendly throughout. We visited midweek and it was busy but not too busy.

8. Discover Children’s Story Centre

383-387 High Street Stratford, London E15 4QZ England +44 20 8536 5555 [email protected] http://www.discover.org.uk/
Excellent
41%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
6%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 118 reviews

Discover Children’s Story Centre

Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford, East London, is a place where children aged 0-11 and their families and carers can enjoy playing, learning and making up stories together. Let your imagination soar on our indoor Story Worlds exploring a secret cave, a sparkly river and the Story Cloud Factory. Have an adventure in our Story Garden - sail away on a pirate ship, slide down a monster's tongue or play with giant musical instruments. Our Story Studio hosts interactive family exhibitions by famous picture book illustrators. We also have a full programme of storytelling, crafts and workshops and visits by your favourite picture book authors and illustrators.

Reviewed By F9804YMkarenb - Crouch End, United Kingdom

My 19th month old daughter loved Discover. We booked for the fairytales exhibition, which is an hour long - we could have staying in there for 3 hours! Dressing up, lights, games, not too crowded, lots of corners to explore - just so much to do and so imaginative! After fairytales we spent another 2 hours exploring the main centre - there are 2 floors of activities and an outdoor playground. Again we could have stayed much longer. There are slides, places to climb, tunnels to explore, book corners, drawing and crafts, rockets and boats and space ships! Outside there is a whole other world to explore with a dragon, treehouse and wooden taxi! The pram park and lockers are well thought out too. And lots of spaces to eat a packed lunch. Only criticisms: It could have been cleaner. A child had been sick in the basement bathroom - completely normal - but they should have cleaned it up quicker. There was also a lot of litter (baby wipes from naughty parents) in the playground. Some of the wooden outdoor equipment is splintering and a little unsafe for little hands - such as the glockenspiel. And the app is confusing to use to book. We’ll definitely be back again!

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