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The London Transport Museum Depot is the bigger, more interesting and cheaper sibling of the London Transport Museum (LTM) in Covent Garden, and if you get a chance to visit, you should take it. That’s because this place has a catch – you can only visit a few times a year, which we’ll discuss later.
The LTM in Covent Garden is great, but it’s a bit expensive for what it is. We visited with The London Pass and have a post for everything you need to know about the London Transport Museum, should you be interested. Back to the London Transport Museum Depot – read on to discover everything you need to know about the Depot!
London Transport Museum Depot
The London Transport Museum Depot in Acton, West London, is basically a storage facility with a twist. The twist is that you can occasionally visit it. The LTM Depot is home to over 300,000 objects, including buses, trains, trams, and other vehicles used throughout London’s transport history. The items that aren’t stored at the Depot are on show at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.
The Depot is closed to the public as standard, but you can book guided tours and special events to explore the museum’s vast collection, plus the open days that happen three times per year. It’s a fascinating place if you’re interested in the history of transport in London or just love the London Underground (as we do!), and we highly recommend visiting if you get the chance.
The LTM in Covent Garden is good, but this is better. Why? Because it’s bigger, has more stuff in it, and is better value, in our opinion. We spent longer wandering around the Depot than we did the LTM in Covent Garden. We also loved the industrial feel of the place because it’s still a working depot, which is clear to see when you’re wandering around. What we think makes it so special is the combination of a working depot and a tourist attraction. It’s great to see things going on, like the repairs and restorations, and the storage racks and knowing it’s only been sanitised to make it safe for visitors; otherwise, it’s business as usual in there.
What’s in the London Transport Museum Depot?
There is loads of stuff related to London transport, but the highlights are the Underground trains and buses. You can board some of the old Underground carriages, and you might even see some volunteers conducting restoration work. The volunteers are part of the London Transport Museum Friends, which is an organisation you can join. If you’re interested, there’s more information about them below.
You’ll also find some classic Underground signs, posters, and all sorts of stuff from around the transport network. Because the Depot is primarily a storage facility, you’ll also find racking full of stuff. That’s because this 6000 square metre building’s primary purpose is to act as a working museum store.
The London Transport Museum Friends
All the work that goes on to restore the old vehicles requires people, some of whom are the London Transport Museum Friends. The LTM Friends is a membership programme for people who share a love of London’s transport heritage, and you can join. The LTM Friends work closely with the LTM by volunteering their time and expertise to the Museum. As a member, you can enjoy exclusive access to special events, discounts on museum admission and merchandise, and a subscription to the museum’s quarterly magazine.
By joining the Friends, you will also support the museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate London’s transport history for generations. Whether you are a frequent visitor or a curious enthusiast, the London Transport Museum Friends is a great way to deepen your connection to London’s rich transportation heritage. If you’re interested, you can join here – ltmuseumfriends.co.uk.
The London Transport Museum Depot Shop
There’s also the option to buy souvenirs from the London Transport Museum Depot shop and the store. The London Transport Museum Friends runs the store. You can buy pin badges, old maps, posters, books, signs, and other bits and pieces from them. The difference between the shop and the store is that the shop sells primarily new stuff, whereas the store sells vintage stuff.
The store offers an excellent opportunity to get your hands on some old maps and things with more character than the new stuff sold in the shop, and you might find some things are cheaper at the Depot than in the Covent Garden or online shop. We managed to buy a District Line map at less than half the price it’s online for.
Visiting the London Transport Museum Depot
You can’t visit the Museum Depot very often, sadly. But when you can, it’s super easy to get to and just a few minutes walk from a tube station. Below, you’ll find all the helpful information to help plan your visit to the Depot.
LTM Depot Location and Useful Info
- You can only visit the Depot during open days and guided tours, of which the open days happen only three times per year.
- There are food and drink vans at the back of the Depot during open days.
- The Depot is easy to access by Underground. The nearest station is Acton Town, just a few minutes walk away. You can also cycle, and there is some bike parking at the Depot.
- Avoid driving to the Depot. There is no parking available other than for disabled badge holders.
📍 LTM Depot, 118-120 Museum Way, London, W3 9BQ
💷 Adults £17, Child (4-17) £8.50 + other discount entry available
🕙 Three times per year, plus organised tour dates – see Depot open days and Depot guided tours.
Museum Depot FAQs
Is the London Transport Museum Depot worth visiting?
Yes, it is. It’s a fascinating place made even better by the fact it’s still in operation to restore heritage vehicles from London Transport’s history. It’s a better option than the London Transport Museum at Covent Garden because it’s cheaper and there’s more to look at.
Can you visit the London Underground Museum Depot?
Yes, you can, but not very often. The Depot is only open three times per year and for special events and tours.
Is there parking at the London Transport Museum Depot?
Are there refreshments at the Depot?
Yes, refreshments are available at the Depot during the open days. You’ll find them outside, at the opposite end of the building to the entrance.
London Transport Museum Depot
- London Transport Museum Depot
- What’s in the London Transport Museum Depot?
- The London Transport Museum Friends
- The London Transport Museum Depot Shop
- Visiting the London Transport Museum Depot
- Museum Depot FAQs
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