Museum of London

Situated within the vibrant Barbican arts center, the Museum of London is definitely a worthwhile place to visit if you want to go to one of the City’s most interesting and engaging museums, based on the social and landscape history that has made and changed London and indeed its people since the Ice Age. From the Museum, which has been around from 1976, one can also see a sizeable part of the original London city fortifications.

History: Unraveled

Expect to see the story of the Thames Valley and the few people who lived in the area from 450,000BC to the founding of Roman Londinium in AD50. This gallery also contains the remains of one of the oldest people (between 5640 and 5100 years old) to have been found in the region, as well as hundreds of craft tools, pottery and glass vessels. Also part of the permanent gallery set-up are Roman London and Medieval London. From there, learn all about what plagued London during 1665, and see what it was like living in London when it was bombed to within an inch of its live by the Germans during WWII.

A Burning Sensation

Through the use of realistic models, sound and lighting you can learn more about the Great Fire Experience of September 1666 - just a year on from the Great Plague, as if London needed anymore health hazards - when a fire in a Pudding Lane bakery nearly destroyed the whole of the city. Part of the experience allows you to see a fireman's helmet from the time period. Meanwhile, a walking tour of the city can be arranged, one that's specifically dedicated to showing you the locations most badly hit by the fire, as well as the starting point itself: Pudding Lane.

Fast Forward

For the most up-to-date items, and combined with the use of E-learning (especially useful for school trips or colleges), check out the Clore Learning Centre. There are iPhones and iPads for kids to get their hands on in a spacious activity centre which is perfect for engaging active brains.

Admission: free

Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00

Nearby Tubes: St. Paul's (Central Line), Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan Lines)