London Transport Museum 2018 Review
Reviewed by Katie Allen
Found in Covent Garden the London Transport Museum is brilliantly located for a family day out. We visited on a Sunday morning whilst staying at a hotel near Waterloo stopping to have breakfast en route. It’s open every day from 10am and there was already a small queue when we arrived around 9:50am. Once inside we followed the suggested route (also using the stamper trail my 5-year-old was given).
It took us straight up to the top of the Museum (level 2) and began with the history of transport in London. We saw a restored sedan chair and horse drawn omnibuses from the early 19th Century and train carriages straight out of Brief Encounter. Amongst all the history there was a small play area on this level with a full-size bus cab where our daughter had great fun pretending to drive!
My husband and daughter went downstairs at this point while I had a look around the Poster Girls exhibition which I was pleased to see was included in our ticket. This displayed over 150 posters and original artwork from 20th and 21st female graphic designers. I had the exhibition entirely to myself, it was so peaceful and colourful.
Down on the lower level there was lots more to see and experience. Double decker buses to climb, London tubes to sit on and drive and tunnels to build, along with another play area with bus, underground, cable car and clipper to role play with. Our five year old’s stamper trail took us around the whole museum to 13 ‘stations’ which kept her motivated although to be honest this whole museum is geared up for children and no motivation was required. Once all 13 stamps were collected she swapped them for a sticker which she wore proudly.
At £17.50 (£16 if you book online) this isn’t a cheap museum but children under 18 go free and your ticket lasts you all year. If you live in London or are often there with infant aged children this is a great ticket to keep in your wallet so you can pop in and use the play areas along with the cafe on a wet day. The shop is full of interesting souvenirs which would be great Christmas present for London fans. We especially liked the soft furnishings made with the underground seat and tile patterns.
The central location means it’s easy to find. Well served by underground stations Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Holborn, Embankment or Charing Cross. You can even buy a combined MBNA Thames Clipper ticket.
The Poster Girls exhibition closes In January 2019.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost £17.50 (book online in advance for discount).
For more information or to book tickets visit www.ltmuseum.co.uk.
London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB
