Explore some of London’s quirkiest museums, the hidden gems you probably won’t see in the tourist guides!
This post may contain affiliate links - we receive a small fee from purchases made through these links. For more details, please see our Disclosure Statement.
Collaborative post.
It’s no surprise that London is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. From royal palaces and historic landmarks to top boutiques, theatres and restaurants, you’ll never struggle to fill your days in the UK capital city.
London also has a great array of museums and art galleries to suit all tastes. Of course, the big names are well known: the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery and so on.
But the city also has many smaller and lesser-known museums that are well worth checking out. Many of these museums are scattered around the city, so you’ll need to check travel routes and times when you’re planning your day.
You’ll also find it easier to visit the museums if you’re not dragging a suitcase behind you, which is why London luggage storage options by Radical Storage are so handy. They’re available in locations across the city, and the small storage fee is worth paying for the ease it will bring to your day out in London.
Let’s take a look at some of London’s hidden gems that you might not find listed in the tourist guides.
God’s Own Junkyard
God’s Own Junkyard is the oldest signmakers in London and hosts Europe’s largest collection of neon lights and signs.
This quirky museum offers true sensory overload, thanks to its many bright neon signs. It was founded by Chris Bracey, who has created neon pieces for Hollywood films, musicians and more.
Chris has curated a collection of signs from fairgrounds and circuses as well as signs from famous movies. You might spot signs that have featured in films like Eyes Wide Shut, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Batman.
The museum also features signs from more everyday locations like hotels, bars and even strip clubs.
You’ll find God’s Own Junkyard located within an industrial site in Walthamstow, just a short walk from Walthamstow Central station. There are more workshops and artisans in the local area, and you’ll find plenty of cafes and street food stands nearby.
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History is a perfect place for adults who love horror movies and all things dark and eccentric.
This museum hosts a strange and seemingly unconnected collection of curiosities. There are lots of skeletons and examples of taxidermy ranging from the mundane to the definitely unusual.
Next, you descend the spiral staircase to a basement-level house of horrors filled with bizarre and scary objects. Some of these are positively stomach-turning, but you’re just as likely to find a Happy Meal toy sitting on the next shelf.
The Viktor Wynd Museum also has a collection of occult artwork and obscure books that are mostly suitable for adults only.
This London museum is definitely not kid-friendly, and certainly one that you’ll either love or hate.
The Viktor Wynd Museum is located in Hackney, East London, and Bethnal Green Tube station is around a 20-minute walk away.
London Mithraeum
The London Mithraeum, or Temple of Mithras, is a 3rd-century Roman temple beneath the Bloomberg European Headquarters in the City of London.
This quirky landmark is heaven for lovers of Roman history. The immersive attraction features the ruins of a Roman temple, which were discovered in 1954 during an archaeological excavation.
The cult of Mithras spread across the Roman Empire between the first and fourth centuries CE. Its members were often rich merchants, soldiers and administrators, and the cult met in dark, windowless temples constructed underground.
Today, the London Mithraeum is located in the Bloomsbury building, close to its original site. The temple ruins, along with Roman artefacts and an immersive light-and-sound installation, reconstruct the mysterious atmosphere that the temple may originally have had.
Entry to the Mithraeum is free of charge, but pre-booking is highly recommended to guarantee your chosen entry time.
The Postal Museum
The Postal Museum isn’t just for stamp collectors, it’s a quirky museum full of interactive fun for the whole family.
The museum celebrates the Royal Mail through a range of interactive activities and exhibitions. You can see some of the world’s rarest stamps and take a ride on the Mail Rail underground train that used to transport mail between sorting offices in London.
This is a really kid-friendly museum. There are extra activities laid on during the school holidays, and kids aged 8 and under can enjoy the immersive mini-town, Sorted! This activity is very popular, so pre-booking your session is highly recommended.
The Postal Museum is located in central London, around 20 minutes’ walk from King’s Cross St Pancras station. Although tickets may be available on the day, the museum often sells out at the weekend. It’s better to pre-book your tickets to avoid disappointment.
The Museum of Brands
The Museum of Brands is a unique museum showcasing consumer culture over the last 200 years. It features over 1200 original items ranging from Victorian times to the present day.
You’ll see familiar toys from your own childhood and iconic brands like Marmite and Cadbury alongside more historic items, showing how brands have shaped life in Britain over the last two centuries. Items are arranged in a chronological ‘Time Tunnel’ that takes you on a nostalgic journey back in time.
As well as the exhibits explaining the history of consumer culture, the Museum of Brands has an award-winning ‘secret garden’. There’s also a cafe serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and homemade cakes.
The Museum of Brands is located in Notting Hill, a few minutes from Ladbroke Grove tube station.
Sherlock Holmes Museum
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is a fun, themed attraction that’s perfect for fans of the fictional detective. It’s located at 221b Baker Street, the famous address where Holmes lived with Dr Watson between 1881 and 1904.
The museum features a replica of Holmes’ Victorian-era apartment. It’s an immersive experience featuring gas-lit rooms decorated as described by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his stories, along with memorabilia and wax figures in period dress.
You can see iconic items like Holmes’s violin and pipe, and staff in period costume complete the experience.
This quirky house of curiosities is located near Regent’s Park and right next to Baker Street tube station. Although walk-ins are available, you could face a lengthy wait, so pre-booking tickets is highly recommended.
As you can see, London has a lot to offer history lovers beyond the big-name museums. Even adding one of these quirky hidden gems to your London itinerary will give your visit more character and show you another side to this fascinating city.
Which quirky London museum would you like to visit first?