Sir John Soane's Museum

The basics

Sir John Soane was a successful British neoclassical architect, responsible for designing several important Regency-era buildings, including the Bank of England. After becoming a professor of architecture at the Royal Academy, he decided to create a museum within his home (made up of three buildings in Lincoln’s Inn Fields) for his students, and the result is a quirky collection of copies of famous statues, Soane’s architectural models, and artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Visit independently or book a tour that visits the museum, like the “Secret Gardens of London” excursion that includes afternoon tea.

Things to know before you go

• Admission to the museum is free; Sir John Soane Museum tickets are not required.

• The museum is wheelchair accessible but is narrow in parts. There are a few special custom-sized wheelchairs available.

• You can pre-book a Sir John Soane Museum tour, where you’ll be guided through the history, unique architecture, and extraordinary collection of this Regency-era home.

• The museum does not have a shop or café.

• Photography is permitted inside the museum.

How to get there

The museum is located at 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields in Holborn, London. The closest tube (subway) stop is Holborn (Piccadilly and Central lines) which is a short walk away. Numerous buses including nos. 1, 59, and 188 stop nearby on Kingsway.

When to get there

Sir John Soane’s museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am–5pm. Last entry is at 4:30pm. It’s also open on bank holidays. Weekends are the busiest time to visit.

Take a break at Lincoln’s Inn Fields

Thought to have inspired Central Park in New York, the urban green space at Lincoln’s Inn Fields is a popular spot to stop and take a break on any busy day out visiting London’s museums. Close to Sir John Soane’s Museum and the British Museum, it’s the largest public square in the city.

Ways to explore

Highlights of Sir John Soane’s Museum include a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus of an Egyptian king, the Model Room, where models of buildings sit beneath the ruins that inspired them, and paintings by Canaletto and J.M.W. Turner. You can see these and Soane’s private apartments on a 75-minute tour, by reserving your spot on the museum website. As it’s located near Lincoln’s Inn Fields, some London walking tours pass by the museum, particularly those with a focus on historic pubs.

Accessibility

While there isn’t step-free access to all of the Grade II–listed building, contact the museum in advance of your visit, and the staff can create an accessible route for you

Age limits

None, though the historical exhibits aren’t likely to interest children.

What to pack

The museum is extremely narrow and exhibits are fragile, so visitors are asked not to bring any bags or luggage with them.

What to wear

Avoid big coats to make navigating the small rooms easier.

Not allowed

Touching exhibits, eating or drinking, sitting on furniture, sketching

Amenities

Coat check, gift shop

Address

Sir John Soane’s Museum is at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, across the square from the Hunterian Museum, a graphic yet fascinating museum dedicated to the history of surgery and medicine.

Driving

There are limited pay-and-display parking spaces near the museum (plus it’s in the Congestion Charge zone of London, so subject to a £15 fee), so it’s better to use public transit to get there.

Public transportation

Holborn on the Central and Piccadilly lines of the London Underground is a 5-minute walk away, while Temple on the Circle and District lines is 15 minutes away. Buses 1, 59, 68, 91, 168, 171, 188, 243, 521, and X68 stop nearby.

Best times to visit

The museum’s free entry and popularity mean it fills up fast, so arrive as close to the 10am opening time as you can for a less-crowded visit.

Best days to visit

While the museum is typically closed on Monday and Tuesday, it does tend to open on Bank Holiday Mondays.

Best months to visit

Sir John Soane’s Museum is the perfect place to warm up during London’s chilly fall and winter months, from October through March.

Special events

The museum hosts occasional Soane Lates, when the museum stays open after dark. Check the website for upcoming dates of the ticketed events.