Reality isn't always what you think it is. If you've ever questioned whether your eyes are telling you the truth, the Museum of Illusions is designed to make you think again. Packed with optical illusions, immersive rooms and interactive exhibits, it's a place where perspective shifts and nothing is quite as it seems.
I visited the Museum of Illusions in central London to see whether it offers more than just great photo opportunities. Here are my highlights from the experience, along with a few top tips before you visit.
What is the Museum of Illusions?
Before stepping inside The Museum of Illusions, it quickly becomes clear that this is not a typical walk-through attraction. The experience unfolds through a series of cleverly designed spaces that encourage you to interact, experiment and question what you think you’re seeing at every turn.
Rather than simply observing, visitors are invited to step into the illusions themselves, with each room revealing a different visual trick or scientific principle. It’s an experience that blends curiosity with play, setting the tone for what’s to come inside.
Museum highlights and what to expect
From the moment you enter through the museum shop and head upstairs into the attraction, you're surrounded by exhibits that encourage you to get involved.
Here are some of my highlights:
- Challenge your brain with classic optical illusions. One of the first exhibits I tried features spinning discs that made the room appear to move after staring at them for a few seconds. Nearby, the classic "head on a platter" illusion offered one of the museum's funniest photo opportunities.
- Question what you're seeing. I spent far longer than I'd like to admit trying to work out a deconstructed chair that somehow never looked complete, no matter where I stood. It's a simple exhibit, but surprisingly frustrating in the best possible way.
- See yourself from a different perspective. One mirror reflected only half of my body, creating a completely different version of myself and highlighting just how asymmetrical we all are.
- Become part of the exhibit. One of my favourite installations is a giant wall made from thousands of moving pins. Leaning into it creates a three-dimensional impression of your body. My attempt looked more like an ancient fertility goddess than myself, but it is easily one of the funniest moments of the visit.
- Step inside the immersive rooms. The Ames Room creates the illusion that one person is tiny while another appears gigantic, and the Infinity Room surrounds you with mirrors that seem to stretch on forever. They're among the museum's most popular exhibits for good reason.
- Look out for the hidden details. My favourite exhibit actually came right at the end. A series of sculptural columns transformed from a human face into what looked like a bookshelf depending on where I stood. As an English Literature graduate, it was the perfect reminder that perspective changes everything.
The staff are incredibly friendly, explaining how the illusions work when asked, answering questions and even helping when my phone battery was running low.
My top tips for visiting the Museum of Illusions
Before you visit, here are a few things worth knowing:
- Visit with someone else. Many of the exhibits work best with two or more people, and you'll find it much easier to capture the perfect photo if someone is with you. Staff are happy to help, but it's more fun to experience the illusions together.
- Charge your phone beforehand. There are photo opportunities in almost every room, so expect to leave with plenty of pictures.
- Take your time. While it's tempting to move quickly between the interactive displays, don't skip the information panels. They explain the science behind each illusion and make the experience even more fascinating.
Is it worth going?
In short, yes.
I am surprised by how much larger the museum feels once inside, with multiple rooms leading to even more interactive exhibits and illusions. There are plenty of opportunities to take memorable photos, including outside a massive door of 10 Downing Street, but the museum offers much more than social media moments.
Whether you're visiting with family, friends or simply looking for something different to do in central London, the Museum of Illusions successfully combines science, creativity and hands-on fun, making it a worthwhile addition to any London itinerary.