My second visit to this free museum. 1st time was years ago & it left such a strong impression on me that I was so keen to visit again today, this time I brought my husband. His reaction was “overwhelming”. Mine is one of spellbound & totally goosebump kind of wonder at how much this man collected & the talent of his architectural creativity. His use of light is what I particularly LOVE - how he created sky lights and used coloured glass to create such beauty in his home that was made up of 3 separate buildings is astounding. The home/museum is crammed full of incredible pieces/artifices/art/books - you could really spend hours if you wanted. The shop is lovely with some great presents to get for people who appreciate architecture & drawing. We bought a gorgeous map of old London that we plan to have framed. Best to visit late morning or after lunch on a weekday. You can put your name down for a tour of his apartment which takes place at 2pm - only 8 spots I believe. 1st in best dressed. Support this free Museum by buying a Guide for £3 upon entry and make a £5 donation at the exit if you wish. It is run by volunteers and an incredibly interesting place.

This thing is a hidden gem for art lovers! Of course, entering the house of an acclaimed architect, who has money to fulfil all his artistic fantasies, is always a pleasure. This space is a great example of a house built for viewing and displaying antiquity collection. It is fascinating as it is functional with its natural light access through the windowed ceiling, however it is completely different from modern art galleries. Sir John Diane’s Museum offers a great architectural experience. What’s even more impressive, is that the staff is extremely friendly and eloquent! Overseers in each room we’re extremely knowledgeable about the history of the museum, Sir John, and art pieces exhibited there. It was nice to have a chat in this very nice informal way! You need to put your bag in a plastic bag provided by the museum to avoid knocking things over. I advise to take lighter baggage when coming over. I took a heavy bag and the plastic bag stretched and broke.

Despite living in London for six years and visiting many times before and since, we still always find something new to see when we’re back in town. This time it was Sir John Soane’s Museum. Sir John was a hugely successful and wealthy architect during the late Georgian era who amassed a huge collection of art and antiquities in his townhouse near Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Upon his death he bequeathed his home and collection to the nation on the condition that it be kept substantially as is. It’s a fantastic time capsule not just because of his historical collection but as an example of the city home of a wealthy Georgian gentleman. What an amazing place. Well worth a visit!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

A free museum. It's quite small, but it's worth a short visit. Inside there are interesting interiors, paintings, a lot of sculptures and mirrors that have fallen into my soul, the analogs of which are in the souvenir store. I also liked the frame with the caption: "This PISTOL was taken by PETER the GREAT, Emperor of all the RUSSIANS, from the Bey, Commander of the Turkish Army at Azof, 1696. And presented by Alexander Emperor of Russia to Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, at the Treaty of Tilsit, 1807. And Presented to a Gentlemen by Napoleon at St. Helena, 1820". Given that the frame is empty, it must have been handed over again.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

You simply turn up and don’t need tickets, which is great. Staff were extremely helpful and very knowledgable, so ask them questions rather than complaining about no information…you can buy a cheap guide book which will give you information as well, the fee of which goes in to re-investment. The place is a treasure trove of an eccentric architect, it’s layered over several floors with all kinds of magical items and the connections some have to every day items is incredible. Some beautiful Hogarth paintings in here . You are allowed to take pictures, just no flash. All very sensible things that sensible people can get on board with.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

I love eccentric little places like this. It’s a maximalists dream house. The house itself is gorgeous as one would expect, and every square foot of space not used for walking is packed with artefacts, sculptures, painting, models and books. There’s something for most people here, and it’s free to visit, although you can go on paid tours and see a little bit more of the house than regular visitors. The sarcophagus of Seti is a highlight, and incredibly intricate and detailed. The ground floor can be quite dark, but personally I think it adds to the atmosphere. Can’t wait to come again!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Overall I had a good experience. The only thing ruined my experience a little bit was that first of all everyone had to put their bags into plastic bags which is okay. But the way it was communicated was a little weird. The lady by the gate was nice enough to me but she ruined the experience for a lot of other people which gave me a weird feeling. Other than that it was fine. The house is fully packed with sculptures paintings and other artefacts it is wonderful. On a Sunday afternoon it was full of people so be prepared if you go on a weekend like me.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Eccentric and excellent! The museum has an eclectic collection of art, paintings, sculptures and more, including a sarcophagus (!!!). There are very few display boards for the objects. The staff sells a printed guide for £3. They allow only a limited number of people at any point in the house, so be prepared to wait in the queue outside. There’s a cloak room, but you’ll be required to carry your purse/handbag/shopping bags in a transparent plastic bag that the staff provide at the entrance. The narrow staircases and rooms can be quite stuffy, so watch out. All said and done, the place is worth the time and effort.

The London residence of Sir John Soane a celebrated 18th century architect and collector, houses his large collection of architectural ephemera and many paintings from artists such as Hogarth and Owens. Soane's greatest achievement was the design for the new Bank of England in Threadneedle Street. Soane was inspired by the grand tours and embarked on his own travels and amassed a large collection of antiquaria, many of which adorned classical buildings from the Greek and Roman eras. Soane lived in this home until his death in 1834, and his collection was preserved and stored in this uniquely designed house.

I didn’t realise you could actually spend a good 30 mins here, it’s worth checking out if you’re in Holborn and you have some free time. Some of the staff are nice and give you a bit of information regarding the pieces or the furniture in that specific room. They have a cloakroom to put your things in, that is quite useful. The corridors can be a squeeze but it’s well worth the squeeze. There’s at least 3 floors that are open to the public. They also have toilets that you can use. I overall enjoyed my experience here.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

I expected a more eclectic collection but was mostly classical pieces, sculptures and architectural fragments. Still interesting but a bit of a maze and some bits not at all well lit so between the lack of lighting and general lack of space between objects its both overwhelming and confusing. But it's free, has a small shop and toilets (in the lower floor). You will be asked to put any bags in a plastic bag (provided) but otherwise you can take photos, just not flash.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Huge collection displayed in such a unique and eccentric building. The three house are divided into different floors and form a labyrinth of statues, pieces or temples, amphorae, pictures and a sarcophagus. Unique and surely worth visiting. It might be a good idea to do some research prior to going as most of artworks have no tag to explain what they are. It’s free and you can just walk in! Lovely staff too.. Highly recommended
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
No

I'd been hoping to visit here for a while and it didn't disappoint. It's not so much the items on display themselves. As there is little signage many of the items don't mean much on their own. It's the whole concept and ambience of the house. You walk through a labyrinth of rooms amongst all these treasures including some outstanding paintings but you also get a sense of what it was like to live in the house.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The John Soane's Museum is a delightful haven of eccentricity in the heart of London. A treasure trove of curiosities and architectural marvels, it offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a visionary collector. From intricate artworks to whimsical artifacts, the museum's eccentric charm is a true feast for the imagination. A must-see for anyone seeking an enchanting escape from the ordinary.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

It was really interesting. Some parts of some of the rooms were closed when we went. All the staff were really friendly. Only took us about half an hour to go around and we both bought a guide book as we were told its quite confusing without it. We got a little lost once or twice but there was always someone to help us find where we had gone wrong.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

Absolutely fascinating, unique and delightful destination for lovers of art and architecture alike. I would probably advise not going on a Saturday if you're wanting to avoid awkwardly brushing past strangers, but an absolute must-visit nonetheless. The guide book provided great direction and context, and the gift shop was great too.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

Amazing! A must visit for any architect or art enthusiast! Such a marvellous house/museum and the entry is FREE!!! The staff are super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable! Make sure not to miss the picture room reveal, I think it's every hour and the main one is at 2pm. Fascinating history, art collection and architectural plans.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

An unexpected delight. Such an interesting museum. I suggest buying the guide, we didn't and regretted not doing so. We shall return on our next visit to London. The staff were friendly and obviously knowledgeable and passionate about the collection. I suggest booking a tour - we have so many questions. Don't miss this gem.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

What an amazing space, a maze of rooms and corridors full of all kinds of ancient and historical paintings, sculptures, art. Set in a unique building. Best item has to be the Egyptian sarcophagus, covered inside and out with heiroglyphics. Followed by the 'Painting room', containing works by the likes of Hogarth and Canaletto
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

This is the literal expectation of the home I believe Indiana Jones would have lived in. Found this place purely by chance and would absolutely recommend it to anybody vaguely interested in history, archeology, architecture or plain and simply the unexpected wonder of it. Another bonus being that it was free to enter.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

3.5 stars The staff were lovely. The house is okay, very overwhelming and packed with artifacts from around the world…. Yeah. The place was quite warm inside and tight so don’t go if you’re extremely claustrophobic. Other than that it was nice and artistic. I really liked the second floor and the artworks included, that was quite spacious and bright.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Wow, what a lot of treasures hide behind this seemingly ordinary facade! It's like the best sweet shop - full of surprises. It was quite late in the afternoon when I visited so it was pretty dim inside but this just added to the experience - I'd turn a corner and be inches away from another piece of art.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

The Sir John Sloane's Museum is a very fascinating house to visit. There is no charge to visit this architectural wonder created by architect John Sloane in which he combined and designed three homes. The house is reported to be just as it was when he died.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

It was truky wonderful. From all the museums I visited in London, this one is by far my favorite because you really get a sense of who Sur John Soane was and how he was living. The place is beautiful and the guides are lovely. Highly recommend
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Beautiful place to visit, so much to look at you really could walk around all day, the staff are incredibly knowledgeable about everything in the house. Filled with beautiful objects and artefacts collected in his incredible life time.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The house, which was bequeathed to the state by the architect John Soanes (1753-1837), is a veritable treasure trove of ancient artefacts and well worth a visit. Admission is free, and it takes one to two hours to see everything. It is located 4 minutes from Holborn underground station, opposite Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Simply magnificent, unfortunately not for everyone. The place is multiple floors and small corridors filled with wonderful pieces of art. You could spend hours going through the place and not see everything. However you can rush through each room in a brisk 15min. But give yourself some time. It’s full of treasures.

A fascinating little museum stacked full of archtectural items and paintings. Definately worth a visit. None of the artifacts are labelled, so you will probably want to buy a programme on the way in. Free addmission, but the programmes are around £3.00 each. I believe there is also an app you can download.

Such an interesting place! Crammed full of beautiful ancient things and you can get up close as most items are not under glass. It more like an architects library! Sir Soane has an very interesting back story too.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

A really cool little museum hidden away. This converted old house is filled with fascinating artefacts from history which Sir John Soane collected through his life. There are plenty of interesting things to explore and discover here. Note this is quite a small space and there is limited accessibility.

A stunning museum packed with, well everything! Three houses stuffed with paintings artefacts and statues, you can't take it all in on one visit. The staff are knowledgeable friendly and helpful. And to top it all it's free! A big thank you to the staff today that made the visit even more special.

What a hidden gem! Found out about this museum from watching a YouTube documentary. Sir John Soane was an architect notable for many high profile buildings throughout London. His home has been transformed into a museum and contains an unbelievable wealth of artifacts from around the world. More

One of the coolest museums I've visited in London. There's not much context outside of the guide book available for buying but it's still great to explore the endless nooks and crannies of Sloane's house.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

Definitely worth a visit! A massive collection of sculptures paintings and artefacts, many of which ancient, and plenty to see for anyone interested in architecture. Lovely and knowledgable staff who definitely added to the experience :)
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min

Super interesting museum, not too big but very dense with interesting artifacts. There are no information signs, so I do recommend buying a 3 pound info booklet. Entry is free. Staff is very knowledgeable!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Quirky and different off the beaten path museum . Free entry (3 pound suggested donation is really essential for them). Lots of guides and staff that are very willing to share the stories of the objects and place. Not too big and certainly not very crowded / very much recommended

My favourite architect’s home!! William Hogarth’s paintings are my favourites. So hilarious!! I’ve visited the house twice but still can’t get enough from it. Such a fascinating place!!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
No

An extraordinary gift to the nation, which challenges and delights in equal measure. Britain's history, good and bad, bolted to the walls. Always a delight to visitm
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

FREE gallery of simply incredible assortment of ancient treasures. Eclectic does not come close to describing this place.... Hours could be spent here. Informative staff. More than one can look at in one go. You will be gobsmacked. Guaranteed. More

Such a marvellously maniacal and obsessive collector Sir Soane was! I cannot imagine if he had a bigger house to fill. This labyrinthine wonder is small enough to wander through thoroughly, see everything and not feel drained and exhausted.

I was recommended the Sir John Soane's Museum by the friend I'm staying with here during my weekend visit in London. She described it as an "Alice in Wonderland" experience, and IT WAS! Wandering through the different rooms, corridors and

Such a lovely and unique museum! It is home to the huge collection of art and antiques that the architect Sir John Soane collected throughout his life. And the place is absolutely brimming with things to see, all packed in a building the

Definitely a hidden treasure. A house filled with antiques and relics. Such a mysterious architecture that fully leverages the natural light
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Fascinating museum, full of weird and wonderful artefacts and laid out in a more engaging way than most places. One to visit.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure

What an amazing place , and it's free so it's even more amazing. This place is a bewildering array of artifacts and art on three levels . Has toilets in basement and shop at the exit.

Wonderful quirky place. Very Harry Potter-esque. Eclectic collection of architectural pictures, plans and memorabilia. The special talks programme is worth while keeping an eye on.

Fantastic place to visit with helpful & knowledgeable staff. Be aware that it is a small place so no big bags or rucksacks so bags flattened & squeezed into plastic bags provided

A unique place to visit, with its narrow corridors and endless artifacts presented in a really in-your-face way. A seemingly random selection of artifacts on show.

Be mindful of the small and often cramped spaces as this is a former residence and that water & large bags are not allowed inside as well as a strict guest count.

A superb museum, it's quirky and interesting. One to definitely go to.