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Museum of London
Permanent galleries

People's City gallery

1850s - 1940s

By 1850 London was the wealthiest & most powerful city in the world, but also the most crowded

While many thrived in the prosperous imperial city, others suffered great hardship and poverty. All Londoners shared the impact of massive population growth and the experience of two world wars.

  • Taxi from 1908 in the People
  • Selfridges lift in the People
  • Children examine the Booth Poverty Map interactive display.
  • Find out more about the 1000 women who suffered imprisonment in their fight for the right to vote.
  • A view of a Victorian shopfront in the Victorian Walk at the Museum of London.
  • Victorian Walk_3 barber.jpg
  • Suffragette hunger strike medal.
  • women-air-raid-moore.jpg
  • Facade of the Lyons corner shop on display in the Museum of London People
  • Group of schoolchildren view an interactive exhibit on the Second World War.

Not to be missed on your visit

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Gallery access

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

10am – 5.40pm

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

Entry free, no ticket required.

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