London Transport Museum Covent Garden Review
The London Transport Museum
Reviewed by Catherine Joyce
In Half Term we visited London and whilst we were there we went to the London Transport Museum. The museum is located in Covent Garden and is really easy to get to. We caught the train to Victoria Station and walked, however it is easy to get to on the Tube.
When we reached the museum there was a large queue outside, it is obviously a popular destination during school holidays. If you are local it is perhaps worth getting there as soon as it opens as we didn’t arrive until 12pm and it was very busy. The boys were given a Stamper Trail card at the entrance to the museum and they needed to collect 13 stamps which were dotted around the museum. There was a map of the museum on the back of the card so they knew where to go.
As we walked to the start of the exhibits there was a free cloakroom where you could leave coats and bags. I thought this was an excellent idea as museums can be quite warm and there is nothing worse than carrying an armful of coats when everyone gets too hot.
We made our way upstairs to the start of the exhibits and wandered around. The museum takes you from the horse drawn carriage days of London right the way through the ages to modern time. There are plenty of trams, trains and buses to look at as well as informative wall displays and information about the history of transport in London. As it was so busy it was difficult to look at everything however the information was laid out well and all interactive exhibits worked. It would be nice to visit again on a quieter day and read everything properly.
The boys especially enjoyed going into the buses and sitting in the underground train. There was also a display of lost property that they enjoyed looking at.
The museum itself is in the old flower market and it has been sympathetically converted retaining many of its original features. Floors have been created to maximise the space and there are also quiet gallery areas which featured works by local artists and groups.
There were plenty of places for you to sit and eat your own picnic and there were two cafés to choose from. Whilst we didn’t eat at the café the food looked tasty and was reasonably priced. There was also a good play area to keep younger children occupied.
The toilets were clean and very groovy. The back wall of the toilet cubicles had seat fabric and the washbasin was in a wave effect and meant that it was low enough for children but also higher in other places for adults. It looked very sleek and modern and both boys commented on it.
There was plenty of staff around to help and answer questions if needed.
On the way out you are taken through the shop which as well as the normal museum souvenirs also sold items in London bus and train seat fabrics which were a novel idea and would make a nice gift for someone.
It is £15 for adults and children under 17 are free, your ticket is valid for 12 months so you can visit as often as you like. If I lived nearer it would be a great place to visit.
Rating: 4/5
For more information visit www.ltmuseum.co.uk.
