Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice
What Visitors Say
Considering the museum is only small; it's very well laid out clean friendly and welcoming. It won't take much of your day but you most certainly learn alot! From what I also saw they do events aswell. Which can be checked online or speaking with staff onsite.Their is a little gift shop by the front desk you can also make a donation. Entry fee is £8 which can be paid by cash or card! I also think the fee is worth it! If you do have some spare time this place is definitely worth a visit....if you keep your receipts you can get 10% off at oree cafe in covent garden
The Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice is smaller than I imagined, with only a small part of the original police station and court still preserved or accessible, but it’s still worth a visit if you’re interested in London’s criminal history. I went with my family, including my 8yo nephew, and the kids’ investigation challenge really kept him engaged while we explored the displays. There’s some fascinating information on the cases and people connected to Bow Street, and seeing the old cells up close gives a real sense of the building’s past. It’s not somewhere you’ll spend hours, but it’s a nice stop if you’re nearby, especially with the Blue Light Card discount, which makes it even better value
Yes, this is a small museum, but I found it very well laid out and informative. The displays and information was digestible and laid out a long history of policing in London, much of which I was unaware of. The former cells were also quite interesting, each with a different display. The one thing I would have liked to see was some mention of the wartime spies who were arraigned at the Bow Street court. Was interesting to see the original dock from Court 2. Thank goodness whoever was renovating the former court had some sense of its historical value!
Absolutely loved this little gem of a museum 💙. Cleverly designed and full of stories of over 350 years of keeping the peace in and around Covent Garden. Fascinating to visit the actual police station and see the cell block. Staff are really friendly and well informed. Highly recommend for people looking to understand more about the underbelly of London life.
A bit small but we'll organised and still worth a visit. There is a lot of information from the history of the police force, Suffragettes, the Krays and other people that where arrested.
Highlights
Old Cells & Charge Desk
Atmospheric glimpse of daily policing and notable detainees.From celebrity arrests to routine nights in custody—same corridors.
Cell block
Bow Street Runners
Explains pre-Met origins of organized policing around Covent Garden.From thief-takers to proto-detectives.
Intro displays
Kids’ Investigation Challenge
Keeps younger visitors engaged while adults read.Become a Bow Street ‘runner’ for the day.
At admission desk / throughout
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
It’s small—typical visits are ~30–45 minutes; weigh against paid entry.
Blue Light Card discounts available; friendly staff noted repeatedly.
