London Museum opening phases: Victorian market Nov 2026

The London Museum is set to open its doors in phases, with the Victorian general market section launching on November 28, 2026. The poultry market is expected to follow in late 2028.

During a Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee meeting on September 25, 2026, an update was provided on the significant cultural development. The museum aims to be the best city museum in the world, with ambitions to attract two million visitors annually once fully operational. To achieve this, the project is focused on increasing public access to its extensive collection, which already boasts over 140,000 objects available online. In the second phase, when the poultry market opens, the museum will have its exhibition galleries open there as well, meaning there will be even more opportunity to showcase more objects.

The museum plans to welcome 160,000 schoolchildren each year, with a particular emphasis on engaging with London's educational curriculum. The report notes that things like the Great Fire of London are on the curriculum across the nation. So we know that we're reaching so many more people than just people coming to London.

Visitors to the permanent galleries, located beneath the Victorian general market, will have the unique opportunity to walk on the ground level of Roman London. A notable architectural feature will be a large window offering views of the Thameslink train as it passes through the museum, illustrating the city's transport infrastructure.

The West Poultry Avenue entrance area, now referred to as Real Time, will feature digital screens displaying up-to-the-minute information about London. This area will also house significant items such as the Banksy Piranhas, which are noted as having a star place and will be seen by everyone entering through this area. The collection will also include the last bell cast at the Whitechapel Foundry, inscribed with the words We are London, which is described as going to ring us in and out of every day.

Further details on the museum's development can be found in the public reports pack for the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee meeting on 25th September 2026 Public reports pack 25th-Sep-2026 11.00 Culture Heritage and Libraries Committee.pdf.