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London has its fair share of weird and wonderful museums, from the psychological to the downright creepy. So, if you’re looking for a unique activity during your next day out or a weekend in London, why not head to one of these quirky London museums?
We’ve rounded up a selection of weird museums in London, all of which are easy to get to by train and relatively low cost (or free!) to visit.
Artsy museums in London
The Cartoon Museum
Admire various creative masterpieces and fantastic exhibitions at The Cartoon Museum. You’ll discover a collection of over 14,000 British editorial cartoons, comic strips and caricatures dating back to the eighteenth century. The museum also hosts after-hours parties, interviews and live discussions with authors and famous voices in Britain, and there are plenty of events taking place throughout the year.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take the northbound Bakerloo tube to Oxford Circus, then walk for around eight minutes to reach The Cartoon Museum. The address is 63 Wells Street, Fitzrovia, London W1A 3AE.
The Fan Museum
If you’re a fan (sorry) of quirky museums, it doesn’t get much better than The Fan Museum. Located in Greenwich, this charming museum celebrates the history of fan making with a collection of over 7,000 fans and related objects. The expertly crafted fans have been gathered from all over the world, from the opulent Japanese Court fans to a rare Elizabethan-period find.
How to get there: The Fan Museum is 29 minutes from London Waterloo. Catch the Jubilee tube northbound to Canary Wharf, then switch onto the DLR to Cutty Sark. The address is 12 Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ER.
Scary museums in London
The Clink Prison Museum
The Clink Prison Museum is a former prison which operated in Southwark from the early 1200s until 1780. As one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons, you’ll find plenty of creepy relics, from gruesome torture devices to archaeological artefacts. Put your nerves to the test and read up on the terrible tales of life in a medieval prison, including the scandals that occurred, as you soak up the eerie atmosphere of this old-fashioned prison.
How to get there: Catch the eastbound Jubilee tube from London Waterloo. Get off at London Bridge and walk for seven minutes to reach the museum. The address is 1 Clink St, London SE1 9DG.
The Old Operating Theatre Museum
The Old Operating Theatre Museum occupies the eerie eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital, and is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe. To reach the attic and begin your unique journey into ancient medicine and surgery, you’ll climb a narrow 52-step spiral staircase. Explore rooms where surgeries were performed, with operating equipment still intact, then visit the apothecary to see what medicines were commonly used.
How to get there: It takes just 22 minutes to walk to the museum from London Waterloo, or you can catch the eastbound Jubilee tube to London Bridge. The address is 9a St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY.
Psychological museums in London
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Freud Museum
Sigmund Freud is one of the most recognised names in psychology, having shared some fascinating (and often controversial) theories during his time as a psychologist. The Freud Museum is a celebration of his life and his work, located in his former family home. Learn more about his methods of psychoanalysis, visit the iconic study room and couch, and admire the many antiques that Freud liked to display in his home.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, catch the Jubilee tube northbound to Finchley Road, then walk for seven minutes to reach the museum. The address is 20 Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SX.
Wellcome Collection
Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library which explores the connections between science, medicine, life and art. There are many exhibitions related to the brain, neuroscience and modern-day human life, which can be easily linked to psychology. After your visit, make the most of the free library to read up on your most interesting discoveries.
How to get there: Take the northern line tube from London Waterloo to Warren Street, then the museum is a seven-minute walk away. The address is 183 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BE.
Keen to continue learning? Find out more about the best exhibitions in London.
Animal museums in London
Grant Museum of Zoology
Fascinated by the anatomy of animals? Pay a visit to the Grant Museum of Zoology. Originally founded by Robert Edmond Grant as a teaching collection for the University College London, this museum is filled with skeletons and stuffed animals of all different breeds. Look out for the museum’s rarest and most precious artefacts, including dodo bones and the skeleton of the now extinct South African zebra.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, catch the northern line tube northbound to Goodge Street, then it’s a six-minute walk to the museum. The address is Rockefeller Building, 21 University St, London WC1E 6DE.
Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum has a reputation for being one of the top quirky museums in London, so you’re guaranteed to enjoy your visit. The museum boasts an assortment of anthropology and natural history items, plus a large (and rather creepy) collection of taxidermied animals. After you’ve explored the many collections, head to the museum’s indoor tropical garden and walk among hundreds of beautiful live butterflies.
How to get there: Catch the Overground to Peckham Rye from Clapham Junction, then take the 197 bus towards Croydon. Ride for 18 minutes and get off at the Horniman Museum stop. The address is 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ.
Transport museums in London
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Canal Museum
London’s canal routes are some of the prettiest in the UK, with so much history and charm. At the London Canal Museum you’ll discover all about the history of London’s waterways, including the people who lived and worked on the waterways and what their job entailed. Housed in a former ice warehouse built for celebrated ice cream maker Carlo Gatti, you can also learn about the history of the ice cream trade during your visit.
How to get there: You can get to the Canal Museum from London Waterloo in around half an hour. Catch the northbound Bakerloo tube to Oxford Circus, then hop on the Victoria line to King’s Cross St. Pancras. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the museum. The address is 12/13 New Wharf Rd, London N1 9RT.
The Postal Museum
A hidden gem in London, The Postal Museum offers something a little different to standard museums. Housed in secret underground tunnels, the museum’s railway system can be explored by miniature train. Discover interactive exhibits showing the workings of the postal system , get hands-on with a hilarious mail-sorting challenge and round off your day at the museum’s dressing-up box.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, hop on the 341 bus towards Upper Edmonton. Get off at Rosebery Avenue Mount Pleasant (Stop CM) and walk for six minutes to reach the museum. The address is 15-20 Phoenix Pl, London WC1X 0DA.
Journey with South Western Railway
Travelling to these London museums couldn’t be easier with South Western Railway. To make sure you’re prepared for your visit, book your train tickets in advance to get the best price. Search our ticket types to find cheap train tickets, and see if you can save with a Railcard or GroupSave.
Get exclusive discounts on dining, hotel stays, and entertainment with SWR Rewards when you travel with us!
Meanwhile, if you’re a fan of all things eccentric, discover some of the quirkiest places to stay in the UK
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