London Museum's Smithfield Market Debut: History, Clubs & Trains Unite!

The London Museum is preparing to open its new location at Smithfield Market on November 28, marking a major change from its previous site at London Wall, which closed in December 2022. This move is part of a huge project costing £437 million, designed to give the museum more space and new opportunities to connect with visitors. The new museum will display a wide range of fascinating objects, including the silk vest worn by King Charles I when he was executed in 1649, the bass guitar famously smashed by Paul Simonon of The Clash, and a massive chunk of fatberg discovered under Whitechapel in 2017. There will also be historic jewelry from the Cheapside Hoard, items from the London 2012 Olympic Games, and even the return of Syd's Coffee Stall, a beloved old food stand.

But the London Museum is not just about looking at old things. The new site is designed to be a lively social space, with activities happening both during the day and at night. Visitors can join dinner clubs, storytelling sessions, and club nights, making the museum a place to have fun as well as learn. The museum's director, Sharon Ament, says she wants the museum to make Londoners proud and to help everyone feel connected to the city's history and culture. One unique feature is that Thameslink trains will actually travel through the museum's basement galleries, adding a modern twist to the experience.

The museum will be divided into three main sections. The first, called Real Time, will act as the entrance and show live data about what's happening in London right now. The second section, Our Time, will be under the market's big dome and will host events and activities with groups like the nightclub fabric and the theatre group Punchdrunk Enrichment. The third section, Past Time, will be in the basement and will offer a journey through London's history with permanent displays. The museum expects to welcome around two million visitors each year. The project was funded by the City of London Corporation, the Mayor of London, and several charities and organizations. Sharon Ament says the process of creating the new museum was long and sometimes difficult, but also full of creativity and excitement. She hopes the museum will be a place where everyone can come together, feel at home, and discover the stories and treasures of London.