London is a city known for its rich history, iconic landmarks, and world-class museums, but beyond the usual highlights lies a hidden world of quirky and offbeat experiences. Forget the Natural History Museum or the British Museum – this is your guide to 4 unusual museums we’ve explored and can’t wait to share. Why keep these gems to ourselves?
Looking for a museum that’s truly out of the ordinary? You’re in the right place!
1. The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities is located in the basement of a bar!
The Last Tuesday Society cocktail bar offers visitors a chance to enjoy a drink surrounded with bizarre artifacts and curiosities. You can grab a drink first (they have unusual cocktails with Absinthe as specialty), and after being seated next to taxidermy and other strange objects, you can pop downstairs to one of the unusual museums. If you think the bar is unusual, prepare yourself to the museum.
Why visit
The Viktor Wynd Museum offers a glimpse into a world of strange, where the boundaries of art, nature, and the grotesque are playfully explored. It’s perfect if you are seeking an experience that goes beyond the ordinary, combining humor, art, and a taste for the odd and macabre. Or simply, if you are curious (like us!).
What you’ll find
- Curiosities from around the world: shrunken heads, tribal artifacts, and various macabre items
- Taxidermy animals: preserved creatures (like two-headed animals), insects, and skeletons
- Historical relics: items once owned by famous figures such as Elvis Presley hair, bizarre medical instruments, and Victorian erotica
Opening times & location
- Tuesday to Friday 15:00 – 23:00
- Saturday 12:00 – 23:00
- Sunday 12:00 – 22:00
- Price :10£
- 11 Mare Street London E8 4RP
⭐Click here to explore the Viktor Wynd Museum website⭐
2. The Vagina museum
The Vagina Museum is the world’s first brick and mortar museum dedicated to vaginas, vulvas, and the entire gynecological anatomy.
Why visit
This unusual museum offers an inclusive space dedicated to educating and normalising conversations around the female reproductive system. It’s perfect for anyone interested in breaking down taboos, promoting body positivity, or simply learning more about the anatomy and physiology.
Whether you’re curious, passionate about sexual & reproductive health, or looking to challenge societal norms, this museum is a great place to explore together.
What you’ll find
- Exhibits on topics like the importance of cervical screening, menstrual health, trans rights, vulva’s diversity
- Temporary exhibitions and education workshops – the team is aiming to start a new workshop about Menopause
- Talks and events that cover subjects from gender identity to reproductive rights
- There’s also a shop section where you can threat yourself and your partner with some books or vulva postcards, for example
Opening times & location
- Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
- Free
- Museum 275, Vagina, 276 Poyser St, London E2 9RF
⭐Click here to explore the Vagina Museum website⭐
3. The Old Operating Theatre Museum
Explore this 19th century surgical theatre, once used for groundbreaking procedures, and learn about the evolution of medicine. A must visit for history fans and for the curious!
Why visit
Besides being a 19th century theatre, it is also located in the attic of a 300 year old church! To access it, you have to go through a narrow 52-step spiral staircase. This is one of the unusual museums that offers a glimpse into the evolution of medicine before the advent of anesthesia and modern surgical techniques.
We found it an immersive experience, educational and a bit daunting (to be honest!).
What you’ll find
- Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre, with wooden benches where students once observed surgeries
- Antique surgical instruments, herbal remedies, and displays on Victorian medicine
- You can explore the history of medical practices and learn about the challenges of that time
Opening times & location
- Thursday to Sunday 10:30 – 17:00
- Price: 9£ (discounts with Blue Light Card)
- 9A St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
⭐Click here to find out more about the Old Operating Theatre Museum⭐
4. The Sir John Soane’s Museum
This unusual museum is a preserved time capsule of the eccentric architect Sir John Soane’s life and work. We were also quite impressed that the house was also designed by Soane to maximise light and space. If you are an art, history and architecture enthusiast, this place is a must for you!
Why visit
The Sir John Soane’s Museum is a one-of-a-kind destination that will immerse you in the creative mind of this brilliant architect. He was one of Britain’s most celebrated architects, known for his innovative and highly personal style. Soane was renowned for his inventive use of light, space, and symmetry, which you can clearly see in his designs and his home.
Fun fact: In 1831, Soane was knighted by King William IV in recognition of his contributions to British architecture.
What you’ll find
- Fascinating items: Including ancient artifacts like the sarcophagus of Pharaoh Seti I
- Quirky Home Design: Includes many unusual features, such as secret doors, moving panels, and skylights designed to maximise light
- Innovator of the “Museum House” Concept: He envisioned his home as a place where students and the public could learn from his collection
Opening times & location
- Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
- Free
- 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP
⭐Click here to find out more about the Sir John Soane’s Museum ⭐
To sum up
From drinking cocktails surrounded by taxidermy to uncovering the history of medicine in a historic operating theatre, these unusual museums invite you to step off the beaten path and discover something truly unique.
We hope you enjoy exploring them as much as we did. Happy adventuring!
⭐At Our Love Adventure, we value your opinion! If you have any thoughts, questions, or suggestions about this article, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to drop us an email and rate below ⭐
