Sir John Soane’s Museum stands as a unique treasure in London, offering visitors an unparalleled glimpse into the mind and collections of the celebrated architect Sir John Soane. This extraordinary museum, located in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, is more than just a display of artifacts; it’s an immersive experience into Soane’s world, meticulously preserved as it was at the time of his death in 1837. Planning a visit to Sir John Soane’s Museum? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.
Plan Your Visit: Opening Times and Free Entry
Typically, Sir John Soane’s Museum welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, between 10am and 5pm, with the last admission at 4:30pm. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but remains open on bank holidays, offering a cultural escape even on public holidays.
One of the most appealing aspects of Sir John Soane’s Museum is that entry is free for all visitors. You don’t need to pre-book your visit, making it easy to explore spontaneously. However, it’s worth noting that due to the museum’s intimate spaces and popularity, entry might be slightly delayed during peak times.
For larger groups of eight or more, it’s recommended to contact the museum in advance to ensure a smooth visit.
Picture Room Panels: A Must-See
Don’t miss the fascinating Picture Room panels, a unique architectural feature designed by Soane to maximize display space for his extensive art collection. The opening times for viewing these panels are:
- 2pm: Witness the unveiling of A Rake’s Progress on the north wall.
- 11am, 3pm, and 4pm: Experience the transformation of the Picture Room Recess on the south wall.
Sir John Soane’s Museum is truly a world-class architectural masterpiece, housing an astonishing array of art, sculpture, artifacts, and architectural fragments. All of these are thoughtfully arranged within Soane’s remarkable historic interiors. For those seeking guaranteed entry at a specific time, consider booking a ticketed Highlights Tour, which takes place daily from Wednesday to Sunday at 12pm, with an additional 11am tour on weekends.
Ways to Explore Sir John Soane’s Museum
To enhance your experience, Sir John Soane’s Museum offers a variety of tours catering to different interests and levels of engagement:
Highlights Tour: The Classic Soane Experience
The Highlights Tour is the quintessential introduction to Sir John Soane’s Museum. This guided tour transports you back to Regency London, leading you through the extraordinary home of Sir John Soane, preserved exactly as it was in 1837. The tour covers the museum’s main highlights and provides exclusive access to the Private Apartments.
Private Apartments Tour: Intimate Family Spaces
For a more personal glimpse into Soane’s life, the free Private Apartments tour is highly recommended. Available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, these tours explore the second-floor spaces once occupied by Sir John and his wife Eliza. Lovingly restored to reflect their appearance when the museum was a family home, these apartments offer an intimate perspective.
Tours are led by knowledgeable volunteers and commence from the South Drawing Room on the first floor at 2pm. Each tour lasts approximately 30 minutes. As these free tours are not bookable in advance and are limited to a maximum group size of eight, participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. To join, simply register your name with the Visitor Assistant in the South Drawing Room.
Drawing Office Tour: A Glimpse into Architectural History
Architecture enthusiasts will be captivated by the free tours of Sir John Soane’s Drawing Office. Opened to the public for the first time in its 200-year history in May 2023, this is the oldest surviving example of its kind.
These tours are offered on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm, lasting around 20 minutes and departing from the Library-Dining Room. Similar to the Private Apartments tour, these free tours cannot be pre-booked and are limited to a maximum of six people, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Register your interest with the Visitor Assistant in the Library-Dining Room on the ground floor.
Please note that the availability of both Private Apartments and Drawing Office tours depends on staff availability. It’s advisable to check with the Museum team upon arrival to confirm if these tours are running on the day of your visit.
Private and Group Tours: Exclusive Access
For a more tailored experience, Sir John Soane’s Museum offers private tour options outside of regular opening hours. These provide an exclusive way to explore the museum in greater depth.
Group visits for 8 to 20 people are welcomed on specific days and must be booked in advance. Detailed information for group bookings is available on the museum’s website.
Bloomberg Connects: Your Digital Museum Guide
Enhance your visit with the Bloomberg Connects app, a free digital guide to Sir John Soane’s Museum. This app offers multimedia guides, expert commentary, and virtual activities, providing deeper insights into the museum’s exhibitions and collections. Remember to bring headphones if using the app within the museum to respect other visitors.
Download the app to start exploring before or during your visit.
Explore Soane: Virtual Museum Tour
For those unable to visit in person, or wishing to revisit the museum from home, the Explore Soane virtual tour offers a fantastic alternative. This digital replica allows you to navigate through key spaces like the Model Room, Sepulchral Chamber, Picture Room, and the Drawing Office, all created with advanced photogrammetry scanning technology.
Take a virtual tour and experience Sir John Soane’s Museum from anywhere in the world.
Visiting Safely and Museum Etiquette
To ensure a pleasant and safe experience for all visitors and to protect the museum’s delicate collection, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Bags and Luggage: Avoid bringing luggage or large bags, including large rucksacks, suitcases, and bikes. Due to narrow spaces, the museum provides a clear plastic bag (375mm x 450mm + 75mm deep) for small items.
- Touching: Refrain from touching doors or surfaces within the museum.
- Visitor Numbers: Visitor numbers are limited to prevent overcrowding and ensure the safety of the collection.
Photography is permitted within the museum, but flash photography, filming, tripods, selfie sticks, large cameras, and phone calls are not allowed.
Entry is through the original front door of No. 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Be prepared for potential waits to enter certain rooms, and some areas may be viewable only from behind stanchions.
Getting to Sir John Soane’s Museum
Sir John Soane’s Museum is conveniently located at 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP.
- By Tube: Holborn station (Central and Piccadilly lines) is a 5-minute walk, and Temple station (Circle and District lines) is about 15 minutes away.
- By Bus: Numerous bus routes stop near the museum, including buses 1, 59, 68, 91, 168, 171, 188, 243, 521, and X68 (Kingsway), and buses 8, 25, and 242 (High Holborn).
- By Bike: Santander Cycles docking stations are available at Sardinia Street and Portugal Street, and bike parking is available at Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
- By Car: The museum is within the London congestion charge zone. Limited pay-and-display parking and green-badge bays are available in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Accessibility Information
Sir John Soane’s Museum is committed to welcoming visitors with disabilities. To ensure your needs are accommodated, it’s recommended to contact the museum in advance at 020 7405 2107 or via email at [email protected].
Detailed accessibility information, including a video guide, is available on the museum’s website to help plan your visit.
Cloakroom and Luggage Facilities
Cloakroom space is very limited. Visitors are strongly advised not to bring luggage to the museum, including large rucksacks, suitcases, and bikes. A small, free cloakroom is available for smaller bags, but the museum does not accept liability for loss or damage.
For luggage storage, consider using nearby facilities listed on stasher.
Prams can be left outside the museum gates. Baby slings or carriers are permitted inside.
Photography and Sketching Policy
Photography is allowed for personal use, respecting the collection and other visitors. However, flash, filming, tripods, selfie sticks, large cameras/lenses, and phone calls are prohibited. Staff may restrict photography in congested areas to facilitate visitor flow.
Share your photos on Instagram (@SoaneMuseum) or X (@SoaneMuseum) using #PhototheSoane for a chance to be featured.
Sketching is not currently permitted within the museum.
Museum Shop: Take a Piece of Soane Home
The Sir John Soane’s Museum Shop offers a delightful range of gifts, books, and exclusive items inspired by the collection, catering to all ages and budgets. From bespoke jewelry to architectural books and unique stationery, every purchase supports the museum.
Visit the shop during museum opening hours or browse online.
Browse the online shop and find the perfect memento of your visit.
Stay Connected
Keep up-to-date with exhibitions, events, family activities, and shop offers by signing up for the museum’s email newsletters.
Sign up today > and never miss an update from Sir John Soane’s Museum.
