Museums to Visit Near King’s Cross

Museums near King’s Cross

One of the best things about staying in Bloomsbury is how much there is to see and do – especially if you’re into history, art, science or anything in between. There are loads of museums near King’s Cross, and the brilliant thing is there is genuinely something for everyone.

Whether you’re a student looking to dig deeper into your subject, a family on the hunt for something fun and hands-on, or just fancy polishing up your general knowledge, you’ll be spoilt for choice. From big names like the British Museum to hidden gems like the Cartoon Museum and the Foundling Museum, everything on this list is no more than a 20 minute walk from the hotel, or in most cases a lot less.

Foundling Museum

40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ
7 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 020 7841 3600
Open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday
Closed Monday

This museum opposite Brunswick Square is right on our doorstep and houses interesting collections of art, music, writing and other objects dating back to the 18^th century, all documenting the story of people who have been in the care system.

The museum also runs an award-winning arts training programme for young people who’ve been in care, together with activities for local families and communities.

It’s all connected to the story of the Foundling Hospital, which was the first children’s charity in the UK, its headquarters being the museum building. As you explore, you’ll see lovely 18^th century original features, as well as a variety of exhibitions, displays and events.

When you buy your ticket, you don’t just get into the museum once, it actually gives you access for a whole year – and you only pay if you’re over 21.

Wellcome Collection

183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE
9 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 020 7611 2222
Galleries and reading room open Tuesday & Wednesday and Friday to Sunday 10am to 6pm, Thursday 10am to 8pm, closed Monday
Café and shop open daily

The Wellcome Collection is a free museum near King’s Cross that explores ‘health and human experience’. It also incorporates a library, shop and café.

The exhibitions and events held here are all based around the subject of health, and collections include rare books and historical manuscripts, artworks, films, videos, personal archives and other objects.

It’s a popular place for research and attracts students and academics, as well as writers and artists seeking inspiration for their work.

People’s Museum Somers Town

52 Phoenix Rd, London NW1 1ES
10 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Email: info@aspaceforus.club
Open 11am to 5pm Wednesday to Saturday

Somers Town in Camden is a nearby district located between Euston and St Pancras stations. It’s historically related to the development of the railways, in particular the Midland Railway Somers Town Goods Depot, which later became the site of the British Library.

People’s Museum Somers Town was set up to preserve the local area and its history, as well as to maintain its local working class heritage. It’s a community museum run by local residents, and also serves as a meeting place with its ‘memory cafés’, drop-ins and youth events.

It’s worth a visit if you’re interested in learning more about the local area and the people who shaped it. They offer guided walks and have a variety of historical collections on show.

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

11 minute walk from the hotel
University College London, Malet Place, London WC1E 6BT
Website
Tel: 020 3108 9000
Open Tuesday – Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturday 11am-5pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Dating back to 1892, the Petrie Museum displays around 80,000 artefacts, making it one of the world’s most extensive collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology.

On show you’ll find one of the earliest pieces of linen from Egypt dating back to around 5000 BC, the largest architectural drawing from about 1300 BC, and a dancer’s dress from the Pyramid Age of around 2400 BC.

If you’re interested in or studying Egyptian history, it’s a definite must-visit.

British Museum

Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
13 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 020 7323 8000
Open daily 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30)
Last entry: 16.45 (Fridays: 20.15)
Closed 24-26 December

As museums near King’s Cross go, The British Museum has to be the most well-known. Dating back to 1759, it was the first national museum to cover every field of human knowledge.

Given its size, you’ll probably need an entire day to explore its extensive galleries, exhibitions and collections, especially if you’re visiting as a family and get involved in the Museum Mission – a family adventure challenge that takes you through all the galleries, solving clues and completing tasks as you go.

There’s also a Museum explorer trail (available from the Families Desk – open weekends and school holidays), and under 5s get to join in the Museum’s Little Feet programme.

Whether you’re visiting as a family or not, it’s a world class destination – and even better – entry is free (although donations are welcome).

The Cartoon Museum

63 Wells St, London, W1A 3AE
13 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 020 7580 8155
Email: hello@cartoonmuseum.org
Open daily 10.30am–5.30pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm
Closed Monday, last Thursday of every month 10.30am-8pm

Home to a collection of more than 6000 original cartoons from the Beano to political sketches, as well as a library of 8000+ comics and books, the Cartoon Museum exists to document the history of British comics from the 18th century up until now.

For sure it’s one of the most unusual museums near King’s Cross Bloomsbury – ideal if you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary to do.

Grant Museum of Zoology

Rockefeller Building, 21 University Street, London WC1E 6DE
13 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 020 3108 9000
Email: museums@ucl.ac.uk
Open Tuesday – Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturday 11am-5pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

The Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy forms part of University College London and is regularly frequented by its students.

Established by Robert Edmond Grant in 1828 as a teaching centre, this natural history museum hosts regular events, including family-friendly experiences.

On show you’ll find in the region of 68,000 zoological specimens, including dodo bones, the world’s rarest skeleton, and a variety of models.

The Charles Dickens Museum

14 minute walk from the hotel
48-49 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX
Website
Tel: 020 7405 2127
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm – last entry 4pm
Closed Monday and Tuesday

If you’re a fan of world-famous author Charles Dickens, then the Charles Dickens Museum should definitely feature on your visit list of museums near King’s Cross.

Located in the author’s only remaining London house, the museum is home to the world’s most important Dickens collection which includes over 100,000 items – including manuscripts, rare editions, personal items, paintings and more.

Children under 6 get in free, and there are concessions for students, over 60s and disabled visitors.

Sir John Soane’s Museum

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP
15 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 020 7405 2107
Email: admin@soane.org.uk
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm – last entry 4.30pm

If you’re keen to learn how Cartwright Gardens looked when it was first developed, I recommend a look around the Sir John Soane’s Museum where you’ll find a painting of a panoramic view of Burton Crescent (what Cartwright Gardens was originally called) dated c.1817, showing the gardens and their lawns and shrubs.

The museum was the home of Sir John Soane, a renowned English architect who built the house himself and lived in it two hundred years ago. The museum has been kept in the same style as it was at the time of his passing in 1837, and exhibits his collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models and paintings.

One of the most intriguing museums near King’s Cross, the Sir John Soanes puts on regular exhibitions, tours, talks, clubs, workshops and courses, including events suitable for families.

It’s free to get in and you don’t need to book ahead unless you’re visiting as a group of eight or more, or want to join a “Highlights Tour” (which includes a sneak preview of Sir John’s private apartments).

Museum of Comedy

The Undercroft, St George’s Church, Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SR
17 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 020 7534 1744
Email: enquiries@museumofcomedy.com
Opening hours vary, details here

More a show venue than a museum, The Museum of Comedy exhibits a range of comedy-related artefacts, as well as putting on regular family-friendly events.

Shows include the Monday Club, a stage for comedians to try out new jokes, and the annual New Comedian of the Year and Sketch Off competitions.

Grab a pre-show drink, then take in the ‘The Comic Collection’ (portraits of Britain’s best loved current comedy stars), or have a nose through all sorts of interesting comedy memorabilia, including  the back door of the Trotter’s Reliant Regent and a collection of Spitting Image heads.

If you like your comedy, it’s worth a visit – but be sure to book in advance.

The Postal Museum

15-20 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DA
17 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 0300 030 0700
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm
Last Mail Rail Ride 4pm

A family favourite, The Postal Museum offers interactive exhibitions and displays, plus the chance to ride through the hidden underground tunnels of “Mail Rail” – London’s secret underground railway.

If you’re visiting with younger kids up to 8 years old, take them into the play space called “Sorted” – a mini town with streets, buildings, trolleys, pulleys, slides and chutes where they can get properly involved in all the activities (sessions last 45 minutes).

The museum has its own shop, plus a café with indoor and outdoor seating selling snacks and barista coffee.

London Canal Museum

12-13 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RT
19 minute walk from the hotel
Website
Tel: 020 7713 0836
Open 10am to 4.30pm Tuesdays to Sundays and bank holiday Mondays

Now this has to be one of the most interesting museums near King’s Cross – not least because it’s set in a former ice warehouse which was constructed in the 1800s to allow a famous ice cream maker to store his imported ice.

It’s a really good day out for families and certainly not your usual run-of-the-mill museum.

Apart from learning about the history of the ice and ice cream trade, you get to see inside a real life narrowboat cabin, and find out about the cargos that used to be transported by horse-drawn boats through London’s waterways.

There’s a summer programme of guided boat trips with refreshments, family fun days and an exhibition that’s on till spring 2026 documenting the story of the building of London’s extensive canal network.

If you’re interested in seeing the seasonal lights of King’s Cross, a few boat trips also run during the evenings in November and December.

There’s no need to book in advance unless you want to secure a place on a specific boat trip, which you can do here.

Paying a visit to King’s Cross London? Book a room at the Mentone Hotel and take advantage of our unlimited, complimentary breakfast!

Located on the doorstep of a variety of attractions, as well as a host of restaurants, pubs, cafés and coffee shops and retail outlets, the Grade II listed Mentone Hotel can be found nestled in the tranquil setting of Cartwright Gardens.

We offer over 40 rooms including a number of family rooms. There’s also free WiFi and luggage storage, and we also sell tickets for all the top London attractions.

Please get in touch to check availability. All direct bookings benefit from a 10% discount plus an unlimited complimentary breakfast – the ideal start for a day of museum visiting!

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