London Transport Museum Reopening 17 May

Living Magazines London Transport Museum

Soak up some culture post-lockdown as London Transport Museum in Covent Garden throws open its doors from 10am on Monday 17 May 2021 when restrictions lift. The Museum’s friendly Customer Service Team will be on hand with a warm welcome to help people enjoy their visit safely.

One-way routes and social distancing will be in place, and unless exempt or under the age of 11, visitors must wear a face mask. Hand sanitiser stations are located throughout the venue and an enhanced cleaning regime using anti-viral disinfectant that protects for up to 30 days is in operation.

Visitors to London Transport Museum in Covent Garden can look forward to refreshed galleries featuring new collection objects and digital displays, as well as a family-friendly trail for May half-term and line-up of new themed After Dark events for adults.

A new installation, created by postgraduate students studying MA Innovation Management and MA Narrative Environments at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, explores what Acton, Brixton, Kings Cross and Walthamstow will look like in 2030. Entitled ‘London 2030’, it offers a curious glimpse into what environmental and technological change could mean for people living in the capital a decade from now.

London’s original rainbow pedestrian crossing will also be on display for the first time when the Museum reopens. Commissioned by OUTbound, Transport for London’s LGBT+ Staff Network Group, the colourful crossing was temporarily installed at the junction of Pall Mall East and Suffolk Street in June 2014 as part of TfL’s support of Pride. It was later collected by London Transport Museum to preserve the role transport plays in the Capital today.

Adults looking to make the most of their post-lockdown freedom can get their culture fix at a new series of themed After Dark events. A celebratory evening marking the 70th anniversary of the Festival of Britain will kick off the line-up on Thursday 20 May. Roam the galleries after-hours, relax with a drink at the bar, and show off your transport trivia knowledge in a pub-style quiz hosted by Sam Mullins, the Museum’s Director.

Future After Dark events will take inspiration from London’s lost rivers, the extraordinary history of the Thames Tunnel and London’s parks and green spaces. Each event features a special activity such as a short talk, quiz, or interactive poetry and creative writing activity. Over 18s only. Tickets cost £12 and must be booked online in advance.

The Museum’s popular All Aboard play zone will be refreshed with colourful new images and ‘green’ themed activities to encourage creative play and learning. With its mini fleet of iconic London vehicles for little ones to climb aboard, it is the perfect pit stop for families with children aged 0 to 7 years.

Families visiting London Transport Museum during half-term from Saturday 29 May can follow a trail around the galleries to ‘collect’ vehicles, objects, challenges and characters they see along the way to turn into a transport-inspired boardgame to play together at home. An Early Explorer Morning for families with Special Educations Needs will also take place on Saturday 5 June from 8.30 to 10am. Families can enjoy the Museum at a quieter time, free from the public and with many of the gallery sounds turned off.

Visitors heading to London Transport Museum in Covent Garden can also:

  • Indulge their curiosity whilst exploring the award-winning, five-star Hidden London exhibition in the Global Gallery, now extended by popular demand. Uncover secrets stories from London’s disused stations and subterranean spaces
  • Learn about the important role London’s transport has played at home and abroad during global conflicts in London’s Transport at War gallery – only open since September 2020. Discover the people behind these stories, and see posters, photographs, safety notices and wartime objects from the Museum’s collection
  • Try out the new ‘Batak-style’ Smooth Operator train computer operating challenge in the Untangling the Tracks exhibition, on display until 5 September 2021
  • Enjoy 15% off when you spend £25 in the Museum’s shop. Choose from exclusive transport inspired gifts, homeware, poster artwork and games, and pick up a set of stylish Underground inspired face-coverings to stay safe whilst out and about.

The London Transport Museum Depot

The London Transport Museum Depot in Acton Town, West London, will be opening its doors for half-term family fun on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May, and from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 June 2021.

Families can follow a trail to discover fun facts as they marvel at historic buses from bygone eras, climb aboard vintage Tube trains and see curious objects from London’s transport past. Along the way they can work together to create a board game inspired by these historic vehicles and objects to play at home.

Children will also receive a special activity pack which includes a craft kit to make during their visit and a creative take-away activity to make at home. Even more fun can be had by hopping aboard the London Transport Miniature Railway for a ride on replica models of vintage Underground trains used on the Metropolitan line between the 1920s and 1960s.

Timed entry starts from 10am. Adult tickets cost £15 and £7.50 for children. Kids aged 3 and under go free. Tickets must be booked online in advance. Early birds enjoy 20 per cent off full price tickets until midnight on 11 May 2021 using code ACTONEARLY and concessionary rates are available.

One-way routes and social distancing will be in place at the London Transport Museum Depot, and unless exempt or under the age of 11, visitors must wear a face mask. Hand sanitiser stations are located throughout the site and an enhanced cleaning regime using anti-viral disinfectant that protects for up to 30 days is in operation.

The London Transport Museum Depot will open its doors twice more during 2021 for special themed events in August (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8, and from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 August) and September (Thursday 23-Sunday 26).  

Sam Mullins OBE, Director of London Transport Museum said, ‘After a long tough winter it will be a real moment for celebration when we welcome visitors back to London Transport Museum and to discover our Depot, one of the Capital’s must-see hidden gems. When we shut our doors in December, we couldn’t have predicted being closed for this long. But closing has not meant we have downed tools. Quite the opposite, in fact. We’re busy cleaning, repairing and refreshing our galleries with new objects and stories ready to welcome people back to a safe, socially distanced but familiar experience. We look forward to seeing you there!’

When the pandemic forced London Transport Museum to close its doors in March 2020, it took a major financial hit. Although over 40 per cent of its visitors returned when it reopened in September, reduced ticket sales, shop sales and venue hire income has left it facing a total income shortfall of almost £7 million before emergency support. An appeal saw the Museum raise £40,000 in kind donations, but it still faces a big challenge ahead and every donation – big or small – makes a difference.

To book tickets, make a donation or find out more information visit: www.ltmuseum.co.uk