Museum of the Home

What it’s like

Free period rooms, a playhouse and a sensory den to explore, with no booking needed and no minimum time limit on your visit.

You wander through rooms dressed for different eras, from candlelit parlours to something closer to your own living room, and the kids get a trail to follow so it isn't just you reading wall labels while they trail behind bored. The Mini Playhouse is built for the smaller ones to clatter about in, and there's a sensory den with light and texture bits for anyone who needs a calmer corner. Gardens Through Time is outside if you want a breather between rooms.

It's free to get in, which for a London museum with this much on offer is worth knowing before you plan your day. No booking either, you just turn up, though on a packed day they might hold you at the door before letting you into the galleries. Give it at least an hour, but there's nothing stopping you making a proper afternoon of it if the trail and the reading lounge keep them going.

Buggies get in fine, and there are lockers and a buggy park in the Welcome Area if you'd rather not push one round the period rooms. Three manual wheelchairs are available to borrow at reception on a first come basis. If you fancy going digital, there's a free guide on the Bloomberg Connects app you can pull up on your phone via QR codes round the galleries.

One thing worth flagging: unaccompanied under-12s can be turned away, so this is very much a grown-up-plus-kids visit rather than a drop-and-go. Dogs are welcome if they're guide, assistance or emotional support animals wearing their tabard or harness, but the family pet on the way back from the park will have to wait outside.

Facilities

Need to know

How long to allow

At least one hour, or as long as you wish

Pushchairs

Buggies accessible. Larger lockers in Welcome Area and buggy park available

Wheelchairs

Three manual wheelchairs available for borrowing at reception, suitable for users up to 135kg

Dogs

Guide, assistance and emotional support animals welcome, must wear tabard/harness

• Opens Tuesday to Sunday and bank holiday Mondays, 10am to 5pm.
• Under-12s must be with a responsible adult, so no dropping them off.
• Wheelchairs at reception are first come, first served.
• There's wifi throughout if you need to check the app or keep older kids occupied.

Plan your visit

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