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Museum of London
Permanent galleries

Expanding City

1670s-1850s

Discover a city rebuilding itself after the Great Fire

After the Great Fire, London soon became the world’s largest city and Britain’s biggest manufacturing centre. Not every Londoner enjoyed this prosperity. Those who became bankrupt ended up in debtors' prisons.

Please note, the debtors' cell is temporarily closed.

  • The remarkable wooden walls of the cell reveal the graffiti of the prisoners.
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  • This detailed bird
  • The Corporation of London presented this bejewelled honorary sword to Admiral Lord Nelson in 1800.
  • The wallpapers, fabrics and furniture of this dolls’ house show the lifestyle of a wealthy family.
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  • This heavy iron clad oak door comes from the inner courtyard where the prisoners exercised.
  • This painting depicts soldiers boarding a ship at Gravesend destined to fight in the First Indian War of Independence, or Indian
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Not to be missed on your visit

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Gallery access

The gallery is open during the museum's normal hours:

10am-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday)

The gallery is on the lower ground floor and can be accessed by lift.

Expanding City also of interest

Wedding gifts from the marriage of Queen Victoria and Albert.

Royal weddings through London's history

When a member of the royal family gets married, it's always a big occasion.

Find out more
Late Georgian print.

Discover London's Pleasure Gardens

Read our series about how Georgian Londoners partied the night away.

Read now