Bow Street Police Museum
Bow Street Police Museum
4.5
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Bow Street Police Museum tells the story of the early Bow Street Patrols and Runners, London’s first official law enforcement service, and the Metropolitan Police officers who walked the streets of Covent Garden in their footsteps. Located on the site of the 1881 Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station, the Museum is filled with rich stories of investigations, arrests and justice being served. From the earliest watchmen who tackled crime with nothing more than a lantern and a staff, to the modern Magistrates presiding over cases of international renown.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Covent Garden
Whether you're headed here to check out the multitude of shops, theaters, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, or simply to be among the multitude of people who pass through this pretty part of town, you'll love soaking up the festive and historic atmosphere in and around Covent Garden. Even if you don't have tickets to the opera or a show at one of the many famous theaters here, don't be surprised if find yourself captivated by some impromptu act of a street performer wowing the crowds in Covent Garden's Piazza. If you do have tickets, you'll be pleased to note that many of the local eateries accommodate theatergoers with prix fixe menus, early dinners, and later than usual opening hours. 


How to get there
- Covent Garden • 3 min walk
- Holborn • 6 min walk
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4.5
25 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Sue H
Croydon, UK133 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
I did the 'Of Mollies and Men – A Queer History of Bow Street and Beyond' tour on Friday, with Kiera from the Museum providing the guided tour. It was excellent, and Kiera was a fantastic guide, sharing a huge amount of knowledge and enthusiasm for the history of the area. The tour was 90 mins, and she kept me engaged the whole time, despite the noise and hubbub of the many evening distractions in and around Covent Garden. Thoroughly recommend and hope to return at some point to visit the museum.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tubbytummy
London, UK356 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is a very small museum part of the old Bow Street Court and police station. Spend about an hour, interesting history, looks like people who worked there contributed a lot. You det a discount voucher to use in a nearby pub. Worth a visit
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QueenslandTommy
Burpengary, Australia1,447 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
A small museum giving you the history of Bow Street Police station. Plenty to read and a few artifacts I expected more but maybe space is the issue. You walk through cells which through static and video give an oversight on life at Bow Street from people who worked there.
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gillian b
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
very interesting, but very small museum. Lots to read with a few objects to look at. Also a video to watch. Friendly welcome by staff member. Took about 1 hour to see it all
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick N
Portsmouth, UK1,635 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Great hour or so , walking around this former and famous police station in Bow Street. Sooo much history and things to see. Well worth the admission price. Very arresting !
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandman91
Cloyne, Ireland136 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Very informative museum about the history of Bow Street Station and gives a good overview of the history of policing in London.
We stumbled across this museum and were glad we did, well worth a visit and very reasonably priced admission
We stumbled across this museum and were glad we did, well worth a visit and very reasonably priced admission
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris
6 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
This is a small but we'll curated museum detailing the fascinating story of policing and law enforcement in this historic central location.
The old cells are used as little galleries covering different aspects of the history of this unique police station and court.
The old cells are used as little galleries covering different aspects of the history of this unique police station and court.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dolphin30blue
Bournemouth, UK31 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
My husband and I went to this museum with my Mum and Dad. We specifically headed here for nostalgia for my Dad. He worked at Bow Street when he was in the Met police force. I had heard about this museum so we took them as their Christmas gift. It is a small museum and doesn't take long to look around but is interesting. It was worth going just to see my Dad read all about the station and bring back members. He recognised many of the names and took Norwell Roberts out on the beat when he first started. He was very pleased that you had a visitor book just for ex police officers.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yas52
London, UK449 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Fabulous little museum, packed full of interesting memorabilia. Brought back memories for me as I was at St Clement Danes primary school when the first black met officer PC Norwell Roberts was stationed at Bow Street. We used to say hello to him on our way home from school. A lovely little film of him talking about his experiences as a police officer. Entry only cost £3 with Art Pass. It would have been lovely to have had a bigger gift shop but space is limited. We spent 45 minutes there and managed to see everything.
Written 25 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas Hart
37 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Fantastic! We all loved it, informative, fantastic helpful staff, free trail. Faultless, we really had a lovely time! Great family time together!
Written 18 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingBOW STREET POLICE MUSEUM: Tickets, Tours & Tips (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Bow Street Police Museum
- Bow Street Police Museum is open:
- Fri - Sun 11:00 - 16:30
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