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