Visiting the Sir John Soane’s Museum with children: everything you need to know

What is the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

Sir John Soane was a 19th Century architect whose best-known work was the old Bank of England building that was operational until the 1920s when it was mainly demolished.

The Sir John Soane’s Museum consists of the home, museum and library of Sir John Soane, with everything on display as it was at the time of his death in 1837. The museum actually consists of three houses that Soane bought and rebuilt during his lifetime, filling them with works of art, sculpture and artefacts.

Where is the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

The Sir John Soane’s Museum is located on the North side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields in Holborn.

How much does it cost to go in the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

Entrance to the Sir John Soane’s Museum is free.

Do you need tickets for the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

The Sir John Soane’s Museum does not operate ticketed entry, entrance is for walk-ins only.

When is the Sir John Soane’s Museum open?

The Sir John Soane’s Museum is open:

Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (last admission 4:30)

They also open on Bank Holidays.

What is the nearest tube to the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

The nearest Tube stations to the Sir John Soane’s Museum are Holborn (Central and Piccadilly Lines) and Chancery Lane (Central Line).

Also nearby are Temple (District and Circle Lines) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line).

Several bus routes also stop nearby.

How do you get into the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

During opening hours you will be able to spot the Sir John Soane’s Museum by the queue of people outside. Entry is then via a number of steps up into the main building.

Do I have to queue for the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

The Sir John Soane’s Museum has limited space and, as a result, entrance is controlled. Therefore it is very likely that you will need to queue for entry outside the Museum.

The only way to avoid the need to queue is to book onto one of their ticketed Highlight Tours that visit the Museum’s main highlights and also allows you access to the Private Apartments. Tours take place daily at 12pm, with an additional tour at 11am on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost £25 and are suitable for ages 12+.

What is there to see at the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

The Sir John Soane’s Museum is an amazing example of a home from the Regency era, preserved in time. It is full of various artefacts and art, including three Canaletto painting.

Perhaps of most interest to children will be the Egyptian sarcophagus of King Seti I, which is covered with hieroglyphs and which is located in the heart of the building in the Sepulchral Chamber. Nearby is a wooden mummy case.

The Museum also contains various artefacts from Roman times, including a collection of Roman urns and vases and a full-size case of the Roman statue Apollo Belvedere, the original of which is in the Vatican Museum in Rome.

What facilities are there for children at the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

The Sir John Soane’s Museum has toilets, but as a small museum in a non-purpose built building, it does not have other child-specific facilities.

Prams can be left in the space outside the Museum (within the gates of the Museum next to the queue but outdoors). Baby slings and on-person carriers are welcome inside the Museum.

How long can you spend at the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

There’s no limit on how long you can spend there. Anticipate spending up to around an hour and half, but this may vary depending on queuing time.

Can you eat in the Sir John Soane’s Museum?

No.

TOP TIPS for visiting the Sir John Soane’s Museum

• The Sir John Soane’s Museum has various narrow spaces and many artefacts, therefore large bags are not permitted inside. In addition, you will be asked to put any small belongings you have in a clear plastic bag to carry with you. There is very limited space for storing small rucksacks. It’s best to leave large bags at home or to store them nearby (with a service like Stasher).
• The Sir John Soane’s Museum is presented just as Sir John Soane left it and so the interior of the Museum does not have interpretation panels or labels. If you download the Bloomberg app in advance then this will provide you with a guide on your phone (or you can buy a hardcopy guidebook for a few pounds at the entrance).