Already visited the major London museums and looking for something slightly offbeat? There are over 200 museums in London dedicated to all kinds of niche interests and historical people/places. Below are 10 of the more unusual museums worth exploring in the UK capital. 

Brunel Museum

In the London borough of Southwark, you’ll find the Brunel Museum – located underground in the first ever tunnel built beneath a river. This museum is dedicated to the life and feats of extraordinary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. On top of being in an unusual setting, it’s filled with fascinating exhibits. 

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Want to visit Sherlock Holmes’ apartment at 221B Baker Street? The Sherlock Holmes Museum is a mock-up of the fictional detective’s home and is furnished with authentic Victorian furniture and other curiosities from the period. It’s a minute’s walk from Baker Street Station.

Jack The Ripper Museum

This museum is dedicated to another Victorian character – one of the most notorious serial killers in the world. Here, you’ll find crime scene recreations, newspaper reports, autopsy reports, photographs and other grisly exhibits. It’s not for the faint-hearted. 

Clink Prison Museum

Another rather macabre museum is the Clink prison museum. Located not far from the Tower of London in Clink Street, this small museum tells the story of the Clink prison. It also details the various tortures and executions that used to be carried out in London with replicas and gruesome waxworks. 

Handel Hendrix House

At different points in history, baroque composer George Friderick Handel and rock guitarist/singer Jimi Hendrix lived in adjoining homes. These homes have since been turned into a single museum dedicated to the two famous musicians. Featuring preserved rooms and various artefacts belonging to each musician, this is a must-visit location for avid music fans.

Museum of Brands

The Museum of Brands features a 12,000+ collection of items related to consumer culture including adverts, products and packaging. These items date back to the Victorian era when some of the first large brands began to be established. Be prepared to see adverts and products you forgot existed!

Bank of England Museum

This museum tells the 300 year history of the Bank of England and features interactive exhibits, rare old coins and the opportunity to touch a gold bar. After you’ve left luggage at Liverpool Street station, head down Old Broad Street and you’ll find it on the right at the end. Other interesting attractions in the area include Van Gogh London Exhibit and Dennis Severs’ House. 

God’s Own Junkyard

15 minutes from Walthamstow Central Station, you’ll find God’s Own Junkyard – a psychedelic collection of neon signs and lights salvaged from old buildings, fairgrounds and movie sets. The museum also contains a bar and a merchandise shop. 

Horniman Museum

This free museum in Forest Hill is known for its collection of taxidermied animals, including a famously overstuffed walrus. It also contains exhibitions dedicated to musical instruments and anthropology and has many interactive displays for kids making it great for a family day out. 

Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities

The last quirky museum worth mentioning is Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities on Mare Street. This museum is a wonderful jumble of all kinds of strange items including dodo bones, occult art, skulls of felons, vintage erotica and other oddities. The museum is open late most days and features a bar and absinthe parlour.