When I first stepped into the London Transport Museum, I was greeted by an overwhelming sense of history and ingenuity. I was trying to seek shelter from the rain and the cold, and somehow stumbled across this museum nestled in the corner of Covent Garden. Its historic charm seemed to promise a journey back in time.
The museum is housed in a Victorian iron-and-glass building, and the moment I entered, I was drawn to the colossal red buses displayed at the heart of the exhibition. There’s something quintessentially British about the iconic Routemaster double-decker bus. It brought back memories of seeing them in films like Harry Potter and Paddington. While we have double-deckers in Singapore, these buses—complete with conductors and the famous hop-on-hop-off platform—felt like a piece of living history.
I started my journey on the upper galleries, where I encountered one of the highlights of my visit: the story of the London Underground. Seeing original carriages from the late 19th century, complete with plush velvet seats and gas lamps, made me marvel at the ingenuity of the world’s first underground railway.
I continued my journey on the ground floor, where the museum showcases early modes of transport. The horse-drawn omnibuses of the 1800s were fascinating. Standing beside one, I imagined what it must have been like navigating through a smoky, bustling Victorian London. It amazed me to think how London’s transport system evolved from these humble beginnings into the modern Tube network.
There were many full size models of the well known London Bus as well– definitely a great photo spot, and I learnt a lot more about the history behind the buses as well.
The museum also delves into the design aspect of London transport. I spent a long time admiring the vintage Tube maps and advertisements. One display featured the evolution of the iconic London Underground roundel—a design so simple yet globally recognized.
The visit to the London Transport Museum was not only educational but also gave me a deeper appreciation for how transport systems shape a city’s identity. London’s blend of history and modernity left me inspired.
Visit the London Transport Museum when you’re in London, for a fun and educational experience about the history of London’s Transport system and how it has changed over the past 200 years. Furthermore, children/teens aged 17 and under have free admission!
