Tower Hamlets is the heart of London’s historic East End. It’s home to an excellent collection of museums, reflecting this deep heritage.
The headline acts are the Tower of London and the Museum of London Docklands (one of London’s best history museums). But Tower Hamlets is also home to the Whitechapel Gallery, a hugely influential modern art space, the Young V&A for children, and the Ragged School Museum. There’s also Dennis Severs’ House, a unique way to discover London’s history, in a performance space crossed with a museum.
Explore all museums in Tower Hamlets below. You’ll also find museums in nearby boroughs further down the page.
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Chisenhale Gallery
A small not-for-profit art gallery in East London. Found in a former veneer factory, it was founded by artists in... -
Dennis Severs’ House
A unique way to discover London’s history. American artist Dennis Severs bought this Spitalfields townhouse in 1979 and spent the... -
Jack the Ripper Museum
An immersive museum in Whitechapel which tells the story of Jack the Ripper and his crimes. It aims to plunge... -
Museum of Immigration & Diversity (19 Princelet St)
A Grade II* listed Georgian townhouse, originally built for a wealthy Huguenot silk merchant. Later home to Jewish immigrants from... -
Museum of London Docklands
The Museum of London’s East London branch, set in a Grade I listed warehouse on the Isle of Dogs. It... -
Nunnery Gallery
A small, not for profit art space in Bow, housed in a 19th century convent building. It's a community-focused space,... -
Ragged School Museum
London's largest Victorian Ragged School, which served some of the poorest children in the East End. It aims to recreate... -
Thames River Police Museum
A small museum in the old carpenter’s workshop at Wapping Police Station about the Thames River Police, which was established... -
Tower Bridge Exhibition
An excellent way to experience one of London's most famous landmarks, Tower Bridge. Inside are interactive exhibitions about its history;... -
Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives
Tower Hamlets' local history archive, in Grade II listed former public library. Although most of the collection isn't on show,... -
Tower of London
London’s most famous fortress, the Tower of London has stood on the Thames for nearly 1,000 years, and was the... -
Whitechapel Gallery
One of London's most important modern art galleries which, since it opened in 1901, has hosted some of the earliest... -
Young V&A
An outpost of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) aimed specifically at children. It has three main galleries - Imagine,...
Museums near Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets sits at the heart of East London’s extensive museum scene. To the west you’ll find Hackney’s eclectic offerings, including the Museum of the Home, and further East in Newham is the brand new V&A East Storehouse, home to the David Bowie Centre.
South across the Thames is Greenwich’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to a handful of world class museums: the National Maritime Museum, the Old Royal Naval College (Painted Hall), the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark.
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