The Postal Museum
Photo: Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Discover the evolution of British postal communication over five centuries and experience a ride on the historic Mail Rail at The Postal Museum in London.
Planning your visit
The Postal Museum's principal attraction runs underground. Mail Rail was a driverless narrow-gauge railway built beneath London in 1927 to move post between sorting offices, avoiding the traffic above; it ran for 76 years, carrying millions of letters a day at its peak, and closed in 2003. Part of the tunnel network now carries visitors in small purpose-built trains on a fifteen-minute ride through the original workings, with projections in the abandoned platforms.
Above ground, the museum covers five centuries of British postal history: the establishment of the Royal Mail, the 1840 Penny Black and the revolution in prepaid postage that followed, mail coaches, the pillar box, wartime postal services, and philatelic material including rarities from the national collection.
The social history is stronger than expected — the post office shaped literacy, commerce and personal life in ways that are easy to forget.
It sits in Clerkenwell. Mail Rail slots are timed and sell out. Allow two hours. Bookable options include entry with the underground ride. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is The Postal Museum?
The Postal Museum is in London, United Kingdom. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for The Postal Museum?
Allow two hours. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book The Postal Museum in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.
