London‘s museums are renowned across the world. They are home to artefacts that should be in other countries in the world. There are also a range of small, fun-packed museums which eclipse the big hitters like the British Museum. In their own way.

I have always been a fan of the lesser known attractions in London, such as Strawberry Hill House. So this post explores some of my favourite museums that will not be at the front of your guidebook. These museums all bring you a different part of London life – from its working class history to the history of medicine. Some of these you will never have heard of, some you might but won’t have necessarily thought of going to.

I found most of these by accident, but I cannot recommend them enough to you.

Strange Museums in Central London

The Hunterian Museum

Where: Royal College of Surgeons, Lincolns Inn Field

How much: free (donations appreciated)

The Hunterian Museum is one of those that most people have never heard of. But, if you have visited it, you won’t stop thinking about it. The museum explores the history of surgery in the UK. This means it has ALOT of preserved animals and body parts.

I discovered the museum as my cousin was married at the Royal College of Surgeons (great venue btw) and we were encouraged to go look around. Apart from the sheer sight of 80 people wandering the museum in formal wear, it was a wonderful bonding experience. I’ve never before been to a wedding where I could go and look at preserved scrotums before. Not sure I will again.

The Hunterian museum is not large. It probably takes about 45 minutes to look at all the exhibits. It really is fun!

Dr Johnson’s House

Where: 17 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DE
Cost: £10

Dr Johnson’s House is not so much strange as unique. It is an immaculately preserved house, tucked behind fleet street. I first found it in 2025 thanks to a friend with a better eye for eventbrite than I!

Why is Dr Johnson of interest I hear you say? Well he wrote the first dictionary. He was also an important fixture of the London social scene in the Eighteenth Century. But fundamentally, he invented the dictionary.

As you would imagine, this is a big feature of the house. The exhibitions also also give you an insight into eighteenth century London, which I love.

Find somewhere to stay if you are visiting London’s museums

Quirky Museums in Greater London

Greater London is home to many strange or quirky museums. A number of them started life as the local museum, but some, like the Horniman now have cult status.

The Horniman Museum

Where: Forest Hill (zone 3 but don’t let that put you off)

Cost: main museum is free, aquarium is not.

The Horniman feels like a secret playground for grown-ups. It started as a private collection in the Victorian era for Mr Horniman. It now houses everything from taxidermy to musical instruments, and even a small aquarium. My personal highlight is the walrus — a stuffed walrus that somehow manages to be both majestic and slightly terrifying. That is probably because it has been stuffed so tightly that it has no creases in the skin.

What I love most is how the Horniman doesn’t take itself too seriously. You can spend an hour wandering through the natural history exhibits, then suddenly find yourself in the music gallery tinkering with instruments. It’s charming, slightly chaotic, and endlessly fun.

The Cockney Museum

Where: Stoneleigh

Cost: £7 and you need to pay cash

The Cockney Museum is a small and charming museum that celebrates East End life. When you walk up to it, it looks like a storage unit. When you peek inside, you uncover a lockdown passion project, determined to shout about the best of London’s past.

The Cockney museum is packed with history, from pearly kings and queens to traditional market stalls and Cockney slang. Walking through it feels like stepping back in time and gives you a real sense of the people who shaped London beyond the grand landmarks.

One of my favourite surprises is the pie shop inside the museum. After exploring the exhibits, you can enjoy a traditional pie while soaking up the quirky and nostalgic atmosphere. It is the perfect way to combine history and a taste of local culture.

Visiting the Cockney Museum is a reminder that London’s stories are not just in its palaces and museums. These stories are also in the streets, the people, and the everyday life. They have shaped the city over centuries.

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