The Museum of London at the Barbican has so many artefacts that they simply don't have the space to put all of them on show. So say hello to the
Museum of London Docklands, the sister museum of the Barbican set-up.
Open since 2003, they couldn't have done any better with the location – inside a group of 19th century Georgian warehouses in the shadow of Canary Wharf.
Its close proximity to the Thames ties in with the museum's focus on the history of the magnificent river and its port (once the busiest in the world), with oodles of information on the vital role the waterway played in the development of London.
Laid out in chronological order and in a way that appeals to both adults and children, visitors can get a clear idea of how the area has changed and grown over its long history, with plenty of audio-visual stimulation and hands-on exhibits to keep things interesting.
Themes covered by the museum include
Docklands at War, looking at how the port of London fared during WWII;
the development of London's port and docks, examining the immediate area through the ages; and
the River Thames, taking you on a journey through the river's history.
There are
special exhibitions alongside the
permanent ones, and also regular
special events. There are also a number of
featured events, such as guided talks or film shows, which may of interest.
It's safe to say that the Museum of London Docklands is a museum on top of its game, with a well laid out exhibition cleverly designed to engage the whole family.
Best of all, in April 2010 the £5 entrance fee was dropped. So now all it'll cost you is the calories you use up looking around it.
