Smaller London Museums

London is full of wonderful smaller museums that rarely make the London itineraries and are often overlooked.

Many of these local and specialist museums are cheap to visit, offer special insider's knowledge and are often located in areas of London teeming with history and atmosphere.

Looking for more? Take a look at our list of quirky London museums.

Bank of England Museum

The charming Bank of England Museum traces the history of the bank from its foundation by Royal Charter in 1694 to its role today as the country's central bank. There are gold bars, coins and banknotes, as well as many items you might not expect to find...

Household Cavalry Museum

You've seen the Changing of the Guard, now look behind the scenes at the work that goes into the ceremonial duties and operational roles of the Household Cavalry. Watch troopers working with their horses in the original 18th century stables and browse a collection representing over 300 years of military history.

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Movieum of London

Explore the world of the movies at this museum on London's south bank. Interactive exhibits offer the chance to look behind the scenes of famous films and to storyboard and shoot your own movie. There are also props and exhibits from films like Superman, Star Wars and Batman.

The Garden Museum

Located in a converted church next to Lambeth Palace, this small but charming museum explores British gardens and gardening through its collection, temporary exhibitions and events. The walled garden contains a 17th century-style knot garden.

Museum of London

Historic objects and exhibitions tell the story of the London's turbulent past. Discover prehistoric London, see how the city changed under Roman rule, and wonder at the grandeur of medieval London. Free entry

Museum of London in the Docklands

This excellent museum housed in a restored Georgian warehouse in London's docklands area explores the story of London's river, port and people from Roman times through to recent regeneration.

Royal Institution

This grand building just off Piccadilly has been home to 14 Nobel prizewinners, and housed the laboratories of some of the world's greatest scientific minds. The small but entertaining exhibition explores the illustrious history of the RI, and uses animations and comedy to explain some of the groundbreaking concepts and equipment on show. Free entry

The Geffrye Museum

One of London's most friendly and charming museums, the Geffrye presents the history of the English domestic interior from 1600 to the present day. The museum is set in delightful 18th-century almshouse buildings with attractive gardens, including a walled herb garden and series of period gardens. Free Entry

Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms

Explore Britain's secret underground World War II headquarters. Located behind Downing Street, this underground complex has been left as it was in 1945. The new Churchill Museum, attached to the Cabinet War Rooms, reveals more about the man behind the cigar

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