Browse by collection category
The London Museum’s collections span over 10,000 years and seven million objects. Find out about how we organise our collections by time and type, and the huge range of material we care for.
Archaeology
Including a Guinness Record-holding archaeological archive, explore London’s buried history through the ages, from bones and tools to pottery and make-up
Decorative arts
Discover London's important role in luxury craftsmanship, especially 18th-century decorative arts, including exquisite glass, silver, jewellery and enamels
Docklands
Once gritty wharves and warehouses, London's Docklands reinvented itself into a thriving modern hub. Explore its storied maritime past and vibrant present
Fashion
What is the London look? From homemade frocks to couture gowns, this collection captures London's iconic fashion scene across the centuries
Library
Delve into a treasure trove of 30,000 volumes exploring London's rich history, from fashion and arts to plagues and pleasure gardens. We’ve got historical maps too
Oral histories
Listen to over 5,000 hours of Londoners sharing their experiences of being born in, migrating to and finding refuge in London
Paintings, Prints & Drawings
The art collection consists of around 25,000 paintings, prints and drawings showcasing a visual encyclopaedia of London
Photography
Immerse yourself in London’s living history through our photographic archive, capturing the city's evolving landscape, diverse communities and social fabric
Port & River
The port and river collections are a unique repository of objects that track the history of the Thames and London as a working port over the centuries
Post-Medieval
This collection reflects the huge changes in London life and society, ranging from the renowned Cheapside Hoard to ceramics and mechanical gadgets
Prehistoric
London’s history goes back over 450,000 years. Find out what London was like, long before it was London, through flint tools, and Bronze Age and Iron Age metalwork
Printed Ephemera
Our printed ephemera collection offer a distinctive interpretation of London’s social and cultural history through 150,000 ‘throw-away’ items
Roman
Unearth ancient Londinium’s secrets with our Roman collection. Ceramics, marble, coins, leather and more showcase captivating tales of work, worship and leisure
Saxon & Medieval
The Saxon collections are strong in weapons, while our medieval collections are one of the most celebrated because of their breadth, depth and quality
Social History
Penny toys, vintage vehicles, quirky packaging and more offer a delightfully nostalgic glimpse into the London’s everyday life
Working History
This collection reflects the historic trade and industry of the city through tools and workshop treasures, from clocks to wheelwrights to ballet shoe-making