The London Transport Museum

Navajo_Pete

absolutely top-notch 18th September 2008

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Brilliant destination in the heart of Covent Garden. You couldn't select a more unusual setting for a busy museum with some huge, heavy rolling stock. The LT Museum used to be a place where excited children would take their exasperated grand parents, but since the refurb a few years ago, the museum has grown into a really exciting, interesting destination for all ages. The many interactive displays make it feel more like the Science Museum and the nostalgia of many of the every-day items from buses and tube trains give it a homely, familiar feel.

I think that this part of the Covent Garden market buildings used to be used by flower sellers. The outside has been nicely preserved and the inside has been transformed into one of my favourite tourist destinations in central London. The Museum has also ventured out onto the cobbled Piazza with a small cafe - lovely muffins and Danish, good coffee and a lively setting. Some of the unregulated street entertainers can be a bit of a pain (too loud and boring) but the afternoon sunshine in this corner makes for a great place to rest and be entertained.

When you're visiting with Children, you only pay for the adult admission, as under 16s still go free! (that's why granny and grandpa always get dragged down to Covent Garden by their little angels, perhaps!)

gillygilly

great day out 12th September 2008

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This place has improved so much since the visits I made as a youngster with my parents, it was still a good day out but now it is a great one. You may ask how so, as its full of transport stuff but you would be amazed at what you can see and learn and I guarantee that the kids will really love it and find lots to enjoy. The entrance fee is good for london, the cafe is ok too and as it is in the covent garden area you can check out the area with its street entertainers and stalls too. It will make a full day out if you combine the two things and the kids will enjoy it as much as you do, go on give it a try, its great. See a show in the evening , is all so close.

ajay73

gOOD vALUE 22nd August 2008

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The best aspect of this museum is its location - right in COvent garden Plaza.

Thus, must tourist might pop in it, and therefore, give a look.

Indeed, as the museum's name suggest, it is dedicated to the transport. Thus, trains, particular underground trains & buses are on display. There is also a short history of the construction of the undeground system.

Not just for children , but for adults who are of an age to remember travelling on some of the means of transport now sadly out of service. A really good nostalgic and VERY informative afternoon. Lots of interactivity for all ages, plenty of loos and a REALLY good shop!

alibabes

Great Fun 22nd August 2008

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OK, I'll admit to being biased. I grew up in London and visiting this place was such a great trip down memory lane. The buses, the tubes, the seats. Trains you could smoke on, dodgy 70's fashions in the adverts. It fair took me back. Despite my enjoyment the kids liked it too. This is one of the best set out museums I've been in as you don't immediately realise how small the space is. Each stage has a ticket stamper which you use to mark your ticket. Most of the vehicles the kids can go in, some sittng in the driving seat or trying on uniforms. There are trams, carriages drawn by horses as well as the Clapham Omnibus. And the shop is good too.

mrs8only

Re vamp 22nd August 2008

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It had a revamp.
No longer a place for the oldies to go it is now a family place to go vist.
Kids are everywhere, so much to see they don't get bored nor run round in 15mins flat.
It has definately improved

deadleg21

honk honk 22nd August 2008

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What a great day out for the whole family. I visited earlier this year and it was fantastic - there is so much to see, and a good variety of exhibits to keep children stimulated. My personla favourite, which sticks out in my mind is the Stephenson horse tram. It is simply beautiful and i would love to own one. I believe it was originally imported from america, but has become a british icon. Admission for children is also free and there is a great "track it down" trail to keep them occupied and make sure you see the highlights of the museum.

Fimb

Great day out 17th February 2008

8 found this helpful

The new face lift at the London Transport Museum has certainly given the place a whole new light - literally. No longer dark and claustrophobic but open and light and easy to find your away around.

Visiting on a Sunday during half term, there were alot of kids there, but it never felt overly packed, or even too noisy. Spread over aground floor and two mezzanine style floors, the noise gets lost in the height, and lots of specialist kiddy areas seemed to keep small children occupied and out of the way.

The cafe, whilst possibly a bit small, was well priced, and the chips, as I seem to be obsessed by, were amazing! They were chips as I remember them from my childhood, made with real potatoes and obviously twice fried. Heaven!

ProfMagellan at 22/06/08

I enjoyed my first visit here but felt that the chronology could have been improved.
It was poor on historical progression and better signing might have helped. That being said, there are some very interesting exhibits. As a Londoner growing up with trolley buses, routemasters and, of course, the "Misery Line" (as the Northern line was affectionately known), I found the London Transport Museum a walk down memory lane. One thing: there is a an Orwellian notice suggesting that Ken Livingstone made a significant contribution with his "Transport for London". Apart from the Oyster Card, he did very little. The congestion charge actually caused congestion as the tubes had to cope with the hundreds of thousands of extra passengers driven off the roads by his new tax. Perhaps making the roads of London the exclusive preserve of hedge fund managers and corporate fat cats (and of course government ministers) is a good thing. History will be the judge.

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Rudolph

A great place to visit 28th November 2007

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The museum has been very carefully refurbished and great care has been taken to display objects to their best advantage. It has an uncluttered feel compared to the old layout. It is easier to take photographs providing it is'nt a busy day. The smaller exhibits gallery will certainly make a favourable impression on visitors,particularly with the roundels tumbling from the Canary Wharf slideshow.The new layout will definitely attract more visitors The shop is stocked to cater for all ranges of taste and spending power!

sizemore

£22milion Face Lift 22nd November 2007

9 found this helpful

What a difference a little money makes :)

I remember the old transport museum as being a tad old fashioned, but the new shiny version is a pleasure to visit.

It still appeals to older people of course who remember some of the older exhibits when they ran the roads, but from November 2007 it's very much a family museum. There were kids everywhere! And the exhibits are filled with things to push, pull and ring at kiddie height level (meaning a lot of curious adults had to stoop a little).

The new space is filled over three floors filled with old rolling stock, buses, carriages and even a vintage costumed Bobby. Plenty to see and photograph for visitors to London and locals alike.

Well worth the £8 ticket, but the new shop and cafe overlooking Covent Garden are free to get into. The cafe is reasonably priced too and offers a nice vantage point to check out the markets. Best of all the cafe seats are upholstered in 'classic' underground seating fabric.

A fun day out and money well spent. Should really bring one of London's most overlooked museums back into the light.