1 / 3Bank of England Museum
📍 London, Greater London
Free museum in the historic Threadneedle Street building tracing the history of British currency, banknotes, and banking. Visitors can lift a genuine 13kg gold bar. No booking needed — visits typically run 45–60 minutes.
The Bank of England's museum is lovely-full of unique views on money's history, great for grasping inflation. They recycle cash into cool plastic objects, and the best part? Getting to touch and lift the 13 kg bar of gold yourself!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for school-age children curious about economics, history, or how money works. The gold bar moment lands with every age group. Compact enough to hold younger attention spans, free entry removes any financial barrier, and no advance booking means it works as a spontaneous City stop.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →2,481 Google reviews
Alex Ahau
4 months ago
“The Bank of England's museum is lovely-full of unique views on money's history, great for grasping inflation. They recycle cash into cool plastic objects, and the best part? Getting to touch and lift the 13 kg bar of gold yourself!”
Tony Bates (babblingbates)
a month ago
“I can’t believe I’ve not been here previously, such a great museum and free! It was amazing to hear the history of the bank and how cash and banknotes evolved, assisted by really helpful and friendly staff. We worth a visit.”
고려사람
a month ago
“Great museum, definitely worth going. It is quite small, so it should take no more than 45-60 minutes to go through everything. Visit is free, and booking is not necessary. Staff is very helpful and welcoming. If you are interested in or want to know more about the history of British currency and developement of banks, it should be a lovely place to visit.”
John Hammond
2 months ago
“This turned out to be the highlight of my trip to London. It’s a fascinating museum that tells you about the history of banking and money. I really enjoyed the exhibits showing the history of bank notes and security - now I know what that UV light is for! It’s a very well thought out and informative museum and it’s completely free.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The Bank of England Museum walks families through centuries of monetary history across compact, well-curated galleries. Highlights include gold bar handling, UV-lit banknote security displays, architectural drawings of the bank's Soane-era vaults, and historical coins. Staff are knowledgeable and welcoming. Recycled polymer banknotes are turned into display objects. The entire circuit fits comfortably in under an hour.
