London is set to welcome a major new cultural landmark this winter, as the highly anticipated London Museum opens its doors in Smithfield on November 28 2026.
The world’s largest city museum is opening in London later this year
Marking a bold new chapter for the world’s largest city museum, the launch will transform the historic General Market into a vibrant, free-to-visit destination celebrating the capital’s past, present and future.
More than a decade in the making, the £437 million project breathes new life into one of London’s most iconic Victorian buildings, which has stood unused for over 30 years.
Now reimagined as a dynamic social and cultural hub, the museum brings together thousands of years of London’s history alongside a lively programme of events, exhibitions and experiences.
At its core, London Museum has been designed as more than just a gallery space. Instead, it positions itself as a living, breathing reflection of the city shaped by over 100,000 contributors including artists, historians, designers and Londoners themselves.
London Museum will span across multiple spaces within Smithfield’s General Market
Set within Smithfield’s General Market, the museum unfolds across three interconnected spaces, each offering a distinct way to explore the capital.
Visitors will enter through “Real Time”, a former covered street turned immersive entrance capturing live data and snapshots of contemporary London.
From there, the journey moves into “Our Time”, a bustling central hub beneath the restored market dome, designed as a social space for gathering, events and cultural exchange.
Below ground, “Past Time” takes visitors deep into London’s history, with atmospheric galleries set at Roman street level.
Through a mix of chronological and thematic displays, it traces the evolution of the city from prehistoric settlements to modern-day milestones.
London Museum will have a collection of more than seven million objects — the largest of any city museum in the world
Drawing from a collection of more than seven million objects — the largest of any city museum in the world — London Museum promises an extraordinary line-up of exhibits.
Highlights include the Lord Mayor’s Coach, Banksy’s “Piranhas”, Charles I’s execution vest, and Emmeline Pankhurst’s hunger strike medal. Visitors can also expect to see the infamous Whitechapel Fatberg, Anna Pavlova’s “Dying Swan” costume, and Roman writing tablets from the renowned Bloomberg Collection.
The museum also brings together cultural touchstones from across generations, from punk artefacts like The Clash’s smashed guitar to contemporary protest materials and Olympic memorabilia.
One of the most striking features will be a six-metre viewing window in the subterranean galleries, where Thameslink trains pass through offering a unique intersection of London’s past and present in motion.
Restoring Smithfield – a historic landmark
Originally opened in 1883, Smithfield’s General Market was designed by Sir Horace Jones, the architect behind Tower Bridge. After decades of decline following its closure in the 1990s, the site has now been meticulously restored by architects Stanton Williams and Asif Khan, alongside conservation specialists Julian Harrap.
The transformation preserves the building’s historic character while introducing cutting-edge sustainability features, including geothermal energy systems and rainwater recycling. The museum is expected to achieve a BREEAM “Outstanding” rating, placing it among the top 1% of sustainable buildings globally.
Located in one of London’s oldest districts, the museum sits among a rich tapestry of heritage, just moments from St Paul’s Cathedral, the Barbican and St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
With the adjacent Poultry Market set to open in 2028 adding temporary exhibition spaces, a learning centre and collections store, London Museum is poised to become a long-term cultural anchor for the capital.
As Mayor of London Sadiq Khan noted, the opening represents “one of the largest ever cultural investments in our capital”, reinforcing London’s global reputation as a cultural powerhouse.
