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Museum of London
Permanent galleries

World City

1950s – today

Revolutions in technology, fashion, and culture have transformed London

The postwar generation led London's multicultural revolution, followed by the punk movement in the 1970s. By the 1980s many of London’s traditional industries had closed down, even as new technologies transformed everyday life. Now 21st century London is known for its diversity and modern industry.

  • Swimming trunks worn by Tom Daley in the London 2012 Olympics.
  • Case illustrating London fashions of the 1960s.
  • Dress created by fashion collective the Fool, displaying faces of the Beatles.
  • Gates of the Firestone Factory on display in the World City gallery.
  • Cover of book Because They Know Not: a Powerful Story on the Colour Problem, 1950s.
  • Children look at the Bill and Ben Flowerpot Men puppets on display in the World City gallery.
  • Punk outfit worn by Marian Williams in the 1970s.
  • Tom Hunter
  • Vespa scooter on display at the Museum of London.
  • Capital Concerns interactive in the World City gallery.

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.

World City also of interest

Holloway prison opened in 1852 as the City of London House of Correction. In 1902 it became a female-only prison. This bell hung in the courtyard of the original Gothic prison, demolished in the 1970s. All prisoners, including Suffragettes, would have been familiar with the daily ringing of the bell to summon them to work and exercise in the yard.

Collecting for London

Our free display looks at the museum's latest acquisitions

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On display in Beyond Documentary.

Beyond Documentary

See the city through our free display of cutting-edge photography

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