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Museum of London Docklands
Museum of London
- Our London Wall museum is now closed to visitors, but is still available for venue hire and private events.
  The new museum coming in 2026 will be situated at the heart of the capital’s historic Smithfield area next to Farringdon.
  
  Until then, the fun continues at our Docklands museum!
  What's on at Docklands
- Venue hire
West Smithfield
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Discover London Through History
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Fashion

Why fashion manufacturing moved away from London?

From the 1940s onwards, many London-based fashion makers struggled to retain their base in the capital. Here’s why.

Fashion

How Moss Bros transformed with London’s fashion industry

Moss Bros, one of the longest-surviving Jewish-founded firms in London fashion, has achieved longevity by embracing change. Here’s how.

Behind the Scenes

Why are you touching that object without gloves?

All you need to know about glove-wearing while handling objects at the Museum of London.

Hidden London

Youth: a rare, experimental Festival of Britain sculpture by Daphne Henrion

What makes this rare sculpture by artist Daphne Hardy Henrion that has survived from the 1951 Festival of Britain special?
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The Clash: Paul Simonon's bass guitar

See the iconic smashed Fender Precision bass on display in the World City gallery

Paul Simonon's smashed Fender Precision bass

Image credit: © The Clash

Join us at the museum for an exclusive chance to see Paul Simonon's smashed Fender bass in the flesh.

See the bass on display in our World City gallery. The iconic guitar was last played on stage at The Palladium in New York City on 20 September 1979, during the band’s Take the 5th tour of North America. At the end of the show, Simonon smashed his guitar in a moment of frustration, which became an iconic symbol of rebellion. The moment was captured by Pennie Smith, whose photograph was subsequently featured on the cover of The Clash’s third album ‘London Calling’ released in the winter of 1979.

It originally featured in the popular exhibition The Clash: London Calling, which was open at the Museum of London from November 2019 – September 2020 celebrating the anniversary of the album release. Eventually, it will also be on display at the new Museum of London when it opens in West Smithfield in 2025.

“We’re thrilled to have Paul Simonon’s Fender Precision bass on long-term loan. A seminal piece of music history, the moment the bass was smashed was immortalised on The Clash’s seminal album London Calling, a rallying call for Londoners and people around the world.”
Beatrice Behlen, Senior Curator of Fashion and Decorative Arts

The Clash: Paul Simonon's bass guitar also of interest

World City

Explore our free gallery all about the Londoners who revolutionised culture, fashion and art after the 1950s.

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London's Fashion Alphabet - P for Punk

Zips, rips, chains and paint splatters, the rule book goes out of the window with these items which have mostly been modified or DIY-ed by their owners.

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