London is famous for its world-class museums, from the British Museum to the V&A, attracting millions of visitors each year.
But beyond these iconic institutions lies a world of hidden gems—small, quirky, and sometimes downright bizarre museums that showcase the city’s eclectic history and niche interests.
If you’re looking for something different, these unusual museums in London offer unforgettable experiences, from medical oddities and magic secrets to a nostalgic trip through the history of advertising.
Best of all? They’re often much quieter than the big museums, making for a more intimate visit.
Table of Contents
1. The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities
📍 Hackney
🕰 Tuesday to Friday, 3pm-10pm. Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-10pm.
Hidden inside an absinthe cocktail bar, this delightfully bizarre museum is a cabinet of curiosities packed with the weird and wonderful.
Founded by artist and collector Viktor Wynd, the museum displays an odd mix of artifacts, taxidermy, and occult objects.
⭐ Must-See Exhibits:
- A preserved mermaid (or is it?).
- A two-headed kitten. A little unsettling but fascinating!
- Occult artifacts and Victorian-era oddities.
🎟 Bonus Tip: Since the museum is part of The Last Tuesday Society cocktail bar, you can sip on a strong absinthe while browsing its collection. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
🔗 Viktor Wynd Museum / Last Tuesday Society Website
2. The Fan Museum
📍 Greenwich
🕰 Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm. The museum tends to close between December and February for maintenance.
Dedicated entirely to the history and artistry of fans, this museum is one of London’s most unique hidden gems.
With a collection spanning over 7,000 objects and a thousand years, the museum showcases how these delicate objects evolved from practical accessories to symbols of wealth, status, and fashion.
⭐ Must-See Exhibits:
- A fan featuring sketches by Salvador Dali.
- The oldest fan in the collection is from the 11th century!
- Japanese Court fans with exquisite detailing.
🎟 Bonus Tip: The Fan Museum has a Japanese-style garden and hosts fan-making classes.
3. The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret
📍 London Bridge / Borough
🕰 Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am-5pm.
Step back in time to the gruesome world of 19th-century surgery at Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre.
Located in the attic of a historic church, this museum gives visitors a chilling glimpse into the brutal realities of medicine before anesthesia and antiseptics.
⭐ Must-See Exhibits:
- The original 19th-century wooden operating table, used for amputations.
- A collection of terrifying surgical instruments from an era when speed was key to survival.
- Herbal remedies and apothecary bottles used in early medicine.
🎟 Bonus Tip: Attend one of their live surgical reenactments (don’t worry, no actual surgery is performed!).
🔗 The Old Operating Theatre Museum Website
4. The Postal Museum & Mail Rail
📍 Farringdon
🕰 Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Ever wondered how millions of letters and parcels traveled through London before email?
The Postal Museum explores the fascinating history of the British postal system, but the real highlight is Mail Rail: a hidden underground train network that once transported letters beneath London’s streets.
⭐ Must-See Exhibits:
- A ride on the original Mail Rail, traveling through disused tunnels.
- Vintage postboxes and postal uniforms.
- Wartime letters and coded messages from history.
🎟 Bonus Tip: The Mail Rail ride is very popular, so book your tickets in advance.
5. The Magic Circle Museum
📍 Euston
🕰 Only open for scheduled events. Check their website for details.
Hidden inside the headquarters of The Magic Circle, this museum is a dream for magic lovers.
The secretive world of illusionists, escapologists, and tricksters comes to life in a collection of props, tricks, and memorabilia from the world’s greatest magicians.
⭐ Must-See Exhibits:
- Houdini’s handcuffs.
- The first book written in English about magic from over 400 years ago.
- Posters and memorabilia from magic shows.
🎟 Bonus Tip: The museum is only open during scheduled Magic Circle events, so book ahead to see live performances by real magicians.
6. The Museum of Brands
📍 Notting Hill
🕰 Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm.
This museum takes visitors on a nostalgic journey through advertising history, showcasing over 150 years of branding, packaging, and consumer culture. It’s a must-visit for design lovers and anyone fascinated by how marketing has evolved over time.
⭐ Must-See Exhibits:
- The Time Tunnel, an interactive audio trail.
- Rimmel cosmetics from the 1890s.
- A TV room, playing old television adverts.
🎟 Bonus Tip: The museum frequently hosts talks and workshops on the history of branding and advertising.
🔗 The Museum of Brands Website
7. The Hunterian Museum
📍 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
🕰 Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–5pm.
Located inside the Royal College of Surgeons, this museum is not for the faint-hearted. The Hunterian Museum houses a vast collection of preserved human and animal specimens, making it one of the most fascinating (and eerie) medical museums in London.
⭐ Must-See Exhibits:
- The pathology collection, which features preserved body parts from the 1800s to today.
- Historical surgical instruments and anatomical models.
- Preserved animal specimens, from insects to rodents to monkeys.
🎟 Bonus Tip: If you’re interested in medical history, combine your visit with the Old Operating Theatre Museum for a full day of gruesome discoveries.
🔗 The Hunterian Museum Website
Final Thoughts
London’s quirky and unusual museums offer some of the most memorable experiences in the city.
Whether you’re fascinated by medical oddities, branding nostalgia, or magic secrets, there’s a hidden museum waiting for you!