London Transport Museum Reopens
Adults wanting to enjoy an evening out after working from home can now explore the Museum after dark every Thursday in September and October
London Transport Museum has reopened its Covent Garden doors for the first time after closing temporarily for an unprecedented 173 days due to the coronavirus pandemic. Families, culture lovers and transport fans can once more enjoy the Museum’s stunning exhibits, historic vehicles and world-famous posters as they discover how life in London has been shaped by public transport over the last 220 years.
The Museum’s popular five-star Hidden London exhibition in the Global Gallery is also back open. Revealing the mysteries of the Capital’s ‘abandoned’ Underground stations, this atmospheric exhibition delves into the secret wartime histories of Down Street and Clapham South as well as the creative ways forgotten subterranean spaces are being adapted for today’s world.
New opening hours will see the Museum, its shop and café Canteen open daily between 11am and 7pm, except for Thursdays and Sundays when the Museum will close at 6pm.
Although London Transport Museum’s much-loved Friday Lates won’t be back in full swing for a while, every Thursday in September and October the Museum will reopen after dark between 6-9pm for adults who are keen to get out and meet up with friends after a day of working from home.
Tickets are £15 and will give people a ‘private view’ experience free from crowds as they explore the Museum’s galleries and the Hidden London exhibition before enjoying a complimentary drink. Each after dark opening will feature a special themed pub-style quiz exploring film, music, art and design – all with a transport twist.
The first after dark event is set to take place on Thursday 10 September where guests can win coveted prizes from the London Transport Museum shop and show off their knowledge of London’s ‘abandoned’ Underground stations as broadcaster, self-confessed Tube geek and Hidden London Hangout host, Alex Grundon steps into the role of quizmaster. The quiz will run twice throughout the evening at 7.15pm and 8.15pm.
Tickets to explore London Transport Museum after dark are available to over 18s only and must be booked online in advance at www.ltmuseum.co.uk/afterdark.
Tickets for general adult admission to the Museum cost £18.50 and allow free entry to the Museum and its galleries and exhibitions for a whole year. Kids aged 17 and under go free. To guarantee entry, timed admission tickets must also be booked online in advance of all visits at www.ltmuseum.co.uk.
Keeping its visitors, staff and volunteers safe is the Museum’s top priority. London Transport Museum has reopened with Visit Britain’s ‘Good to Go’ standard and has measures in place to keep people safe during their visit. These include:
- New pre-visit information to help people plan ahead
- New one-way routes to explore the galleries with updated signage
- Queuing systems to help people social distance while they enjoy interactive displays
- Hand sanitiser stations throughout the galleries
- Enhanced cleaning regimes with anti-viral disinfectant that protects for up to 30 days
- Cash-free contactless payments
- PPE for staff
When the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown forced London Transport Museum to close in March 2020, 80% of its income was cut off. The Museum has since lost £1.5m and counting.
In July, the heritage charity launched an appeal and is asking its loyal visitors, supporters and the public to donate towards its future. To donate to London Transport Museum visit www.ltmuseum.co.uk/appeal.