5 Weird But Wonderful Museums to Visit in London This October

After collecting the best shops for Halloween, it’s time to explore London’s weirdest, spookiest yet most wondrous museums to visit in London during the spooky season.

 

The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret

9a St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY

The Old Opearting Theatre Museum

Image Source: @oldoperatingtheatremuseum  

  

Located in the attic of an early 18th-centurey church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital,  The Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret is Europe’s oldest surgical theatre.

The museum takes you back to the Victorian era and showcases the equipment, tools and guide you through the most common surgical procedures have been taken place 200 years ago.

In the 18th century more than 150 medical students gathered in this original space to learn about surgery.

 

Quirky Treats at The Old Operating Theatre Museum

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 The museum regularly hosts online and offline events. They also offer spine-shivering quirky treats, human preserves and edibles. Why not treat yourself with some Sugar Dusted Bogies, Cubed Earwax or 0+ / AB- Blood Drops after your museum experience?

 

NOTE: The entrance is via a 52-step narrow spiral staircase.

 

Opening Times 

Fridays and Saturdays only, 10:30am – 5pm (last admission is 4:15pm)

 

Tickets

Adult: £7.50

Child 6-16 years: £4.50

Family (2 adults, 2 children): £18

 

 Jack the Ripper Museum

12 Cable Street, London, E1 8JG

Jack the Ripper Museum

Image Source: @jtrmuseum

 

The notorious serial killer, Jack the Ripper committed a series of murders in London during 1888. Despite of the hundreds of theories, movies and books trying to solve the mystery, The Ripper’s identity remained unsolved.

Jack the Ripper Museum is situated in the heart of Whitechapel, not far from the very spot where the Ripper’s third victim, Elizabeth Stride’s, body was found.

By exploring the museum, you will discover everything to know about the Ripper’s victims, the main suspects of the murders, the police investigation, and the details of each murder, including names, ages, locations, newspaper reports, and even illustrations of the crimes.

The museum offers guided tours to visit the crime scenes, museum-only tickets, and hybrid tickets.

 

Opening Times

7 days a week from 10am. Last entry 5:30pm

 

Tickets

Start from £10 for adults and £8 for children.

 

The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History

11 Mare St, London E8 4RP

Museum of Curiosity London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

As its name suggests, The Museum of Curiosities showcases weird and wonderful artifacts and treasures collected from different corners the world.  Creatures with extra head and limbs, African masks, conserved head in a jar, creepy dolls, occult cabinets, and other oddities to be seen. This museum is not for the faint-hearted.

The museum has an award winning Absinthe Parlour & Cocktail Bar where you have the opportunity to explore and taste the most extraordinary elixirs from the furthest corners of the world.

 

Opening Times

Thursday – Saturday 3pm – 11pm

Sunday 2pm – 11pm

 

Tickets

Adult: £10

Concessions: £6

Special offer: £5 / £2.50 Concession admission on Thursdays for walk-in customers

Locals living in a walking distance with proof of address can buy a ticket for £6 on the door

 

The Clink Prison Museum            

1 Clink St, London SE1 9DG

The Clink Prison Museum Front Door

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 Dating back to 1144, The Clink Prison Museum is one of the oldest and most notorious prisons in England.

Ring the bell for jailer and step inside through the original entrance of the prison. The museum will guide through the cells where prisoners were living, explore different torture methods witches, pirates and other criminals were being hit by and you can even open a mysterious coffin and discover what’s inside at the end of the tour – if you dare.

Don’t forget to have your own free imprisoned photo taken before you leave.

 

The Clink Medieval Prison Museum London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

The Clink Prison Museum is undoubtedly one of the most hunted places in London. If you feel the brave in your heart, you can book a Ghost Hunt Experience to attempt to make connection with the spirits still living within the prison’s walls using Ouija Boards, Glass Divination and other methods.

 

Other guided tours, including fun educational tours are also available.

 

Opening Times

7 days a week, 10am – 6pm

Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

 

Tickets

NOTE: The museum and the tours are suitable for children aged from 7

Adult: £8

Children (under 16): £6

Family (2 adults, 2 children under 16): £23

 

Pollock’s Toy Museum

1 Scala Street, London, W1T 2HL

Pollock's Toy Museum

Image Source: @Pollockstoymuseum

 

Pollock’s Toy Museum is the oldest toy museum in the UK. The museum has two buildings and 6 different atmospheric rooms to display their extensive collection of dolls, puppets, Teddy Bears, dolls houses, optical toys, and toy theatres of the past.

The museum hosts regular events and workshops. They have plenty of events and activities for all ages this October, such as Magic Lantern Workshop, Incy Wincy Spider Trail or Magic Lantern Storytelling Tours, just to name a few. Ticket prices for events are vary.

 

Opening Times

Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

Sunday CLOSED

 

Tickets

Adult: £9

3-15 Child: £8

Under 3: Free

 

Ready for your next adventure? Explore the Devil’s Tavern and the execution dock and other notorious execution sites in London.