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    Discover London Through History

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    A lead alloy curse associated image Roman

    Victims of the dark arts in Roman London

    Learn about Londinium’s deepest grooves, digging up the victims of dark magic and deadly curses.

    Belsize-Park-Lisa-Randisi-discover-image.jpg Londoners

    Hackney caught on camera

    How can experimental photography teach us more about our communities? A Museum of London project in Hackney offers beautiful reflections of how Londoners see their home.

    Havering Hoard selection of objects associated image Behind the scenes

    Havering Hoard: Why so many axes?

    Discover why the inconspicuous axe was such an important tool during the Bronze Age.

    'Police out of Brixton' leaflet, 1981 associated image Black History

    From Brixton 1981 to BLM 2020: reflections on Black uprisings

    Exploring the ‘Brixton Riots’ oral history collection to discuss contemporary experiences of London uprisings against racism.

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Permanent galleries at the Museum of London

London Before London

450,000 BC – AD 50

Discover the story of London before the city was even built

Image of London Before London gallery
Jaw of a prehistoric mammoth.

Did you know?

125,000 years ago hippos lived in Trafalgar Square!

Roman London

AD 50-410

Discover how Londinium came to life and what daily life was like in the city 2000 years ago

Roman London
Head of a Roman figure

Did you know?

Roman London was the biggest city Britain would see for over a thousand years.

Medieval London

410-1558

From the collapse of the Roman city to the accession of Queen Elizabeth I

Medieval London gallery
London Bridge

Did you know?

London Bridge was fortified to stop Viking raiders from sailing up the Thames.

War, Plague & Fire

1550s-1660s

The century before the Great Fire of 1666 was one of the most turbulent in London’s history

War, Plague & Fire - great fire painting
bezoar.jpg

Did you know?

Your doctor might have prescribed you a stone from a sheep's stomach.

Expanding City

1670s-1850s

Discover a city rebuilding itself after the Great Fire

Expanding City gallery
tunnel.jpg

Did you know?

London set world records for engineering.

People's City

1850s - 1940s

By the 1850s London was the wealthiest, most powerful, and most populous city in the world

People's City gallery
bomb.jpg

Did you know?

During the Blitz, 177,000 Londoners sheltered in the London Underground.

World City

1950s – today

Revolutions in technology, fashion, and culture have transformed London

World City
Festival poster

Did you know?

In 1951, London was the centre of a post-war festival to rejuvenate the country after the Second World War.

The London 2012 Cauldron

2012

Encounter an icon of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The London 2013 Cauldron gallery
Study of male Olympic sprinter Copyright Nicholas Garland

Did you know?

Every single one of the copper cauldron pieces is different.

Museum of London also of interest

Exhibitions and displays

Free temporary displays and interactive exhibitions.

Plan your visit

Woodcut depicting Great Fire of London.

Discover London through history

Uncover London's stories through free articles and videos.

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Stand up comedy workshops

What's on

Family festivals, workshops, talks and free gallery tours.

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Update from the Museum of London

Following the recent Government announcement of a national lockdown, the Museum of London and the Museum of London Docklands will continue to be closed to the public.

The health and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and community is of utmost importance to us and we will closely review the advice from the Government and Public Health England as to when we can reopen.

While the museum buildings may be closed, we’re still open online with loads of content to keep you entertained. Check our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @MuseumOfLondon for all the latest news. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you back soon!