London Museum’s new Smithfield home to open in November 2026

One of London's most anticipated cultural attractions is preparing to open a spectacular new home. Following the closure of its London Wall site in 2022, London Museum will open in Smithfield's General Market on 28 November 2026.

Set within the beautifully restored Victorian market building, which has been closed to the public for more than 30 years, the new venue will bring together historic objects, free permanent galleries and never-before-seen items.

But it will be much more than a museum. Designed as a social hub for the city, visitors can also look forward to a day-to-night programme of events, experiences and entertainment that connect London's rich history with its diverse communities.

What to expect at the new museum

Drawing on a collection of more than seven million objects, the new galleries will explore the people, places and moments that have shaped London through the ages. Spread across three interconnected spaces – Real Time, Our Time and Past Time – visitors can expect to see:

• The silk vest worn by King Charles I when he was executed in 1649
• Banksy’s Piranhas artwork, originally unveiled on a City of London police box
• Emmeline Pankhurst’s hunger strike medal
• The diving trunks worn by Tom Daley at the London 2012 Olympic Games
• Queen Victoria’s mourning dress, worn following the death of Prince Albert
• Charles Dickens’ personal chair

The museum's underground galleries will also feature a six-metre viewing window, offering a world-first experience that allows visitors to watch Thameslink trains rumble past while passengers glimpse the museum from the other side.

A new social space for Londoners

The new museum is designed to be as much a social space as a cultural one. At the heart of the venue, beneath the restored market dome, Our Time will bring together displays, events and experiences celebrating contemporary London.

Display highlights include:

• The historic Lord Mayor's Coach, still used in the annual Lord Mayor's Show
• Syd's Coffee Stall, a beloved East End institution
• Hanging Out, a display celebrating iconic London meeting places, featuring signs from the India Club, Topshop and the Galtymore Dance Club
• A display showcasing the voices and experiences of London's Generation Alpha

Visitors can also enjoy a varied day-to-night programme of events, from sensory storytelling sessions to dinner clubs, house parties and DJ sets.

A series of rotating Guest Editors will bring fresh perspectives on the city through themes including taste, sound and play. Launching the programme is London Tastes, running from November 2026 to August 2027, with food writer Ruby Tandoh and Vittles founder Jonathan Nunn celebrating the capital's rich and diverse food culture.

These programmes will be delivered in partnership with London favourites including fabric nightclub, Morley's chicken shop, Punchdrunk Enrichment and Hive Curates.

London Museum's vision for the future

While London's history sits at the heart of the new museum, the venue is also looking ahead. Designed to be one of the world's most sustainable museums, the restored Smithfield site will feature innovations including rainwater-powered toilets, renewable geothermal energy and an industry-first eco-concrete mix.

The museum is aiming for a BREEAM "Outstanding" rating, placing it among the world's most environmentally sustainable buildings.

And there's even more to come. The neighbouring Poultry Market is set to open in 2028, adding two temporary exhibition galleries, a dedicated learning centre and a collections store.

Inspired to delve deeper into London's culture? Discover the capital's best museums and top exhibitions to visit this month.