Museum of London Docklands in Laela

Fascinating museum focusing on the life and development of London with especial emphasis on the docklands.It feels immediately welcoming as one walks through the door with a buzzy, busy cafe on the ground floor, friendly museum staff and something to interest everyone from toddlers to the older generation like me who remember the Isle of Dogs before the advent of Canary Wharfs futuristic skyscrapers.The main museum is free but there was also a ticketed special exhibition... EXECUTIONS which depicts the many ways miscreants (and often innocent peoplewere despatched from this life.The barbarity of the penal system in days gone by is chilling and sadly, although here in the UK we no longer have the death penalty, one is reminded that public executions and punishments are still carried out in some countries.It is somewhere I had been meaning too visit for ages and I will definitely visit again as after 4.5 hours I still hadnt seen it all!

Wonderful little musuem tucked away IN Canary Wharf.I visited with a two and three year old and they had a blast at Mudlarks, the interactive gallery for children, and really enjoyed the interactive exhibits around the museum itself.Its also great for adults, very informative although Ive never managed to visit in an adult capacity to get the full benefit.It has a cafe and shop on the ground level and a good number of toilets dotted around.. Lifts for accessibility.

It was a lovely experience on the amazing facts about the history of London including the docks, Slave and trade, Canary Wharf, and Greenland Docks. I have been to this museum with my Creative Media group when I was in college 4 years ago.

Very well set out exhibition, very simple to follow timeline with lots of very interesting historical facts and pictures. Free to enter with donation boxes is an excellent way to encourage visitors.

Youll need more than a couple of hours to experience all the floors. I can recommend the Triangle Trade exhibition. Youll be shocked at the extent of the truly abhorrent practices carried out by civilised human beings in their quest for money, money money 😢

Very informative museum that dedicates most of its exhibitions to the East of London which is located. The museum is based in an old warehouse in the heart of Docklands in the financial district of Canary Wharf.The museum is on 3 with each one with its own exhibits. I highly enjoyed my visit there and the staff were very helpful and friendly. There is also a kids activity area which is very popular and you will need to book a slot for it.

This is absolutely a hidden gem that you will thank yourself for visiting! It is a beautifully designed museum exploring the history of the docklands and is engaging, well-presented, informative, interesting and full of a variety of multi-media presentation methods that will appeal to everyone. The staff was incredibly welcoming and helpful and the exhibits were super easy to navigate. Add some extra fun by taking the Uber Thames Clipper to Canary Wharf and then walking around the area either before or after visiting the museum. You will be so thankful you made this trip because this museum is a delight. And its free!

Greatly funded and Excellent Museum, lots of information and will tell you all the history. Maybe too much history if you want to do other things in the day. The whole museum trip probably took me over 2 1/2 hours.Otherwise, the museum is brilliant and has excellent history. The cafe isn’t bad either maybe a bit limited in choice.For a free museum, it gives you more information than one I would pay £5, although a donation of £5 is recommended.

What an experience to walk through and see the development and role this dock played in London. You need time to grasp each and every area from the slavery to today. Highly recommended not only for historians but you and me to see how we got to todays modern developed Canary Wharf.Free to enter with the option to make a financial contribution. You start from the 3rd floor and walk your way down. There are play areas for children to actively participate in these historic moments.

So much history about the royal docks, was pleasently surprised with the amount of historic items on display. Everything preserved in a delicate manner and well presented. Its huge, lots to see. Need whole day to cover everything. And its free.

Historic and atmospheric dockside warehouse building imaginatively re-used as a museum. Wonderful soft play room for children, as well as shop and cafe. Good access throughout for buggies or wheelchairs. Informative and enjoyable telling of Docklands history.

What an informative and entertaining museum in a part of London that is not often visited. Enjoyable for all ages with a childrens play learn area and a made up street straight out of a Dickensian novel. Its easy to get to by public transport or car with a car park right next to the building

A really brilliant museum, filled with friendly and helpful staff. The museum is quite a lot of walking, spread over 2 floors but they have provided a few seating areas and handy little stools that you can carry throughout the museum. It is packed full of so much interesting information about the docklands throughout the centuries.It took us 2 visits to fully complete the museum. Sadly we couldnt get into the Mudlarks childrens gallery as both visits it was already sold out, but if you manage to book in advance it looks like a world of fun. Nonethe less we were able to keep the kids occupied with various trails and interactive activities. Truly a little gem in the heart of the docklands! And to complete the day if you fancy a bite to eat or a little shopping its only a short walk to Canary Wharf!

Loved it and so did my 12 year old son. Nice area surrounding the museum and most friendly workers. Lots of history about Londons docks and dockworkers. Worth a visit for sure! Free visiting.

This is a great museum. First, it tells a really interesting, well-defined, finite story. Secondly, its a manageable size: you can visit in 1 to 2 hours and feel youve seen everything. Finally, its quieter than other museums in London.

Fantastic free attraction. Great location. Excellent exhibits some of it interactive.In the coffee shop very good quick service and noticed 7 gluten free cakes all carefully covered to reduced cross contamination.

I visited with my two young children (five and a half and two and a halfand thought this was a brilliant museum. We booked tickets for Mudlarks, which I found better than I anticipated, with lots to keep them both entertained. My only gripe would be the slot wasn’t long enough! We then walked round the museum which had lots of age appropriate and interactive displays and items to again keep both kids amused. They were both fascinated by Sailor Town and loved running round the cobbled streets! We also did the Riley The Rat Trail, which my five year loved and even my two year old got into! It was a great way of getting them both, but expecting older child, to look at the displays and a good question starter about what she saw. Finally the staff at the museum were also fantastic- super friendly and helpful, particularly the gentleman who introduced us to the Riley Rat Trail (I didn’t get his name but he was brilliant with the kids!All is all a really great day and such good value considering it’s free (we gave a five pound donation!Thoroughly recommend to parents with young kids!

Brilliant museum. Lots to see and learn. Fun things through for kids entertainment too. Great little cafe and gift shop on the ground floor right beside their amazing soft play centre

Small museum with a lot of character. It takes about an hour or two to look around. During my visit there’s were quite a bit of children and they seem to enjoyed themselves a lot. Thus, I would say is great for kids too.There is also a small shop on the ground floor which I will recommend to have a look at. It’s really tiny but great post cards,posters and books. I definitely will return very soon.

Hidden gem in London, I have lived here most of my life and didnt know about it. Its so interesting and the exhibitions are designed in a really interesting way. The kids area, Mudlarks, is a lot of fun for the little ones (you need to book from their website the previous day at 10am). Definitely recommending this museum, why hadnt we heard of it before?

The Museum of London Docklands is quite a nice museum in the heart of Canary Wharf. It is perfect for people of all ages whether they are young or old.It features galleries about the history the Docklands, from trade and slavery to empire and war to modern day docks.This museum is free but £5 donations are recommended!!The Museum of London Docklands is near West India Quay DLR, Canary Wharf (Jubilee lineand Canary Wharf (Elizabeth linestations.

My son really enjoys visiting Museum of London. No waiting time. A lot of interesting things to see for kids and adults.

Well worth the trip out to the Docklands. The history of this neighborhood is fascinating. As usual with London museums its interactive, fun and interesting. School visits are a bit of a nuisance but its part of a museums role. My favourite was Sailortown. Very spooky and immersive.

Excellent museum. Visitors need to be aware you will need several visits to encompass the whole museum. Free entry too. And a decent Wetherspoons next door.

Free entrance. Not for very young visitors. Has a lot to take. "Rats" trail was not easy to complete. We couldnt... Costumes Corner should be refreshed.

It’s a must do if you are in the Docklands area. It’s free to enter but I suggest paying a donation, either cash or contactless. It’s worth doing considering the work gone into the place and the work of the volunteers. It’s interesting place with a good history of the docks and the trades. A lot of reading so you could spend hours there. You might want to time your weekday visits to outside school hours if you want some peace and quiet.

Wonderful place to go. Can learn more about history of the docks and warehouse, as well as trading.Theres also some history about slavery in the past but not detailed enough.

Absolutely amazing museum with so much to see, Great restaurant with polite staff , Wonderful place to visit

This is the Docklands branch of the Museum of London. It is in a former warehouse and looks at aspects of Londons maritime story. It is about 30 mins from the main museum by public transport or about 90 mind walking where you can explore areas of the East end of London.

I never was in Docklands museum before and i was sure its worth to go there . But after spending there few hours i have changed my mind completely. We could enjoy atmosphere of old times. One of the best places was old streets with small shops very Unique atmosphere. Lots of information about Docklands in different times . Now i know lots of info where do i live.Worth spending day. Kids will be interested too. Lots of things to see for them too.

I loved the museum! So detailed, created with love you can feel it!We left the donations as there is a free entrance indeed!

A nice museum, staff were 5 star from the volunteer who greeted us to the ladies at the desk when we left - all were great!The museum itself is nice, some areas are a lot more heavy on information boards but there is the occasional hands on activity for the kids (and adults!Its not a massive place (In terms of popular London museumsbut will certainly keep you entertained for a few hours.There is a cafe and toilets etc. located on ground floor, which works well as thats where you come in / out and the exhibits start you on the top floor and return back to where you start.Its also worth adding that the museum is free admission with option of voluntary donations.

Small museum in one of the original warehouses on the docks. A fascinating story of the history of the docklands and the isle of dogs. A confusing layout as I feel I kept missing bits out. But worth a visit if you are there and free entry

Better suited to the older visitor IMO. The kids we took along said they would have preferred the Science museum. Interesting displays and history documented. Would not make a day out of it just to visit here though, schedule in another museum or sites in London to keep everyone happy if kids are involved.

A brilliant day time historical experience with many interactive features, and interesting artefacts, documents and personal reflections to see and hear - the inclusion of the African and Caribbean diaspora was personally very welcome. This experience is certainly worth factoring in when staying in or exploring the West India Dock area. Perfect for a date, or a trip with the family.

There is so much to see and learn about the history of London. We spent about three hours ( including having a very nice snack on the cafeand ran out of time, so another visit is planned before the museum closes so as to move to its new home nearby.

The museum is quite interesting and is situated inside one of the only three remaining warehouses from the original 1800s docklands. I found the section on human slavery from Africa to be the most absorbing one.It is situated in Canary Wharf which is not a particularly nice or exciting area by itself – the museum is probably the only nice thing to see. Hence if youre time constrained on your holiday, I would not recommend travelling all the way to the Wharf just for the sake of the museum.

An absolute hidden gem. An amazing welcome upon arrival and so interesting. Fully disabled accessibility and in an old warehouse. So interesting. I would highly recommend a free visit, yes free.

So much to see here and the history of the area before its current reinvention. Usually have other special exhibitions on as well as the main displays. Add some photos from the port city display we went to see with lots of old maps showing the layout and usage.

Great location to learn the history of London docks for an hour or two. Lots of interactive things for kids to do. Ever wondered why streets or stops are called something specific? They have the answers here. Where is the old London Bridge they show you! What is the history behind Canary Wharf and surrounding areas? I found this very enlightening. Currently, the exhibition on the ground floor is London docks, which is very interesting.

Amazing museum! Great to get to learn more about the tradings between Britain and the New World and the overseas expeditions. There’s also a room dedicated to African history and the slavery. And the best part, admission is free!

Liked this one because of the atmosphere inside. Though it has not so many items to explore, after entering the exhibition on the third floor you discover yourself like if you were in 19th century. All those full size devices and even street corners move you back in time. I want to say thank you to people who maintains the exhibition, your work is highly appreciated!P.s. Admission is free, but you should book tickets on the website. Its not so crowded as other museums even on Sunday.

Plenty to see & do including temporary exhibitions and short tours and talks. Enjoyed the Feeding Black temporary exhibition....small but informative 👌🏾

Best place ever to visit if you are in Canary Wharf. Friendly always respectful employees, can go down the basement and bring your own brown bag lunch. Very childrens friendly, good exhibitions; instructive. I cant forget to mention, great cup of coffee. Years ago was my place to get free WI-FI. Very much recommend with heart warming feeling. (Ahoy!! See any pirates around)

It is a nice place, amazing experienceThe second floor has some interesting touch and fascinating.Good for children, they had a free exhibition on the ground floor as well.Nice small cafe on the ground floor for ome refreshments after the visit.

Brilliant museum about the fascinating lives this area has lived before becoming Canary Wharf. Once the beating heart of the British Empire, the permanent exhibition does a great job of showcasing the triumphs and terrors of that time with thoughtful, engaging exhibits. The temporary exhibitions are the real star, taking a deep dive into topics such as mudlarking, local etomology, the lives of the Docklands workers, and contemporary artists works on the subjects. The construction of the Port of London temp exhibits is also impressively environmentally conscious!

We visited the Mudlark Children Gallery. It was a good experience. The children loved playing with cranes, loading and unloading the ships also loved building with the giant blocks. The softplay area was also good. Good facilities well equipped.

Brilliant repurposed warehouse space and museum. I really loved the 10m talk by a volunteer which brought things to life.A good museum for children too with lots to touch and experience. It was also great to see people enjoying the Black History exhibitions.Free, but do give a donation which is easily done with the contactless units on entry.

Well worth a visit. You could easily spend 2+ hours here; longer if you read all the information panels. Admission is free although donations are welcomed. As a Londoner who has lived here for several years, it was fascinating to see the history of where I live, and explanations for why some things are the way they are. There is also a small coffee shop.

An educational museum on the history of the London dock lands. It spans 3 floors and covers every part of docklands history. The exhibits are well laid out and some are interactive. There’s audiovisuals and an education centre. There’s a small gift shop at the entrance. Best of all it’s free! Worth a visit if you’re in the area.