Museum of London Docklands

I feel there's a lot of history packed into this small museum. Taking the time to read the exhibits and learn about London's Docklands really brings the area's past to life. From the growth of the Port of London to the stories of the people who lived and worked here, it's a fascinating place that's definitely worth a visit. During the summer school holidays, the children also had great fun completing the museum trail and searching for the Riley family. I still can't believe how excited we all were when we finally spotted one of the rats! 😅

· via Google

Such a family friendly spot! We visited the London Docklands Museum in Canary Wharf, and it was such a great find for our family. It’s not easy to find a place that both my 8-month-old and 5-year-old can enjoy, but the Mudlarks children’s play area was perfect for both of them. Entry to the museum itself is free, but Mudlarks requires a timed ticket (purchased at the gift shop) for a 45-minute session, which ended up being just the right amount of time for my kids. I also really appreciated the café area just outside the play space. You can grab snacks or bring your own. There’s even a small nursing area nearby, which was a thoughtful touch. There’s also an area for plenty of stroller parking. We actually visited 3–4 times during our stay in Canary Wharf! The building itself is impressive and full of history, and it’s a fantastic way to introduce kids to the local story of London and the docks in an engaging, immersive way. There are also fun children’s activities like a scavenger hunt. Definitely ask about it when you arrive. I especially enjoyed the street- and alley-style exhibits, and there were interactive elements like hands-on demonstrations about maritime materials. There was also a live enactment I was excited to see, though my kids were ready to move on. One thing to note: while I appreciate the museum’s honest representation of history, some of the subject matter may feel a bit heavy for younger children. Overall, it’s a fantastic family-friendly spot, especially if your kids love boats, pirates, and hands-on exploration. My son kept saying, “I want to go to the boat museum!” which says it all.

· via Google

A fantastic museum with free entry! The venue is incredibly spacious and fully accessible for everyone. The exhibition content is exceptionally rich and comprehensive, covering a lot of fascinating history. I highly recommend this museum not just for tourists, but especially for local residents who want to gain a deeper understanding of the area. Truly worth a visit!

· via Google

I do not understand what this museum is trying to accomplish. Not recommended. Although entry is free, it is quite a distance from any tourist site other than The Tower. The Thames has clearly been key to defense and trade since the city was called Londinium. But instead of addressing these issues, the largest part of the museum is given over to a discussion of enslaving people. At the same time, the museum's activities and language are directed to children ages 5 to 9. The exhibits are not appropriate for children AT ALL. "Encouaging" slave reproduction. Really?? As a result, the museum is filled with children under 3 who cannot understand what they are seeing, are bored out of their minds, and parents tired of corraling their screaming children. Frustration abounds on all sides. It is too bad, this is a missed opportunity to go into detail on what may be the most constant aspect of London for millenia.

· via Google