Ragged School Museum — Attraction in London

Curious micro-museum which is a lot smaller than its exterior (and Lottery Funding) suggests (technically only one ground floor room is an exhibit, there’s an entrance/gift shop and then a model Victorian classroom and a model/art installation about East End poverty on the second floor which isn’t really to do with the Ragged School). Signage is confusing. I entered through the Cafe and up the lift, which didn’t let me get off at ground floor, so I had to get off at first floor. The doors were unmarked, so I almost felt like I was trespassing when I came into the Victorian classroom. After seeing the art installation on second floor, I then went back down to the ground floor, where I was told I had to pay (there’s a discount for locals) after the attendant came to speak to me. It seemed to me like they were still ironing things out like figuring out how not to have people just walk in without paying the entrance fee. The main room was basically a collection of densely-packed information displays with very little interactive exhibits. Somehow I left the museum with more questions than answers - despite all this information, it wasn’t clear to me why the Ragged School wasn’t more closely affiliated with Barnado’s , the modern day charity named after the founder of the Ragged School. I hope my constructive comments can spur change and positively open the museum up to a wider...

Visited with a five-year-old who very much didn't want to go in, and an eight-year-old who did. A very warm welcome from Romy on the front desk got them both interested from the start. Entrance fee £5 adults, children/concessions £2.50.

Would be particularly good if you have a child studying the Victorians (year 2 and year 5 I think) - lots of starting-off points for conversations about poverty, gender and racial equality, social justice and class, access to education, healthcare and food. Or just do the fun quiz sheet and find all the crowns hidden around the spacious and atmospheric museum.

Lots for grown-ups to look at and think about in the info panels (which I was dragged past at speed by my children). Interesting and empathetic artwork, too, by Clarisse d'Arcimoles, in one of the rooms. Some parts of the museum felt a little unfinished (looking in the desks in the classrooms there were some random bits of paper and train track) and it felt like further investment (maybe with audio interactives, as well as more explainers in the room) could have a massive impact, but as a 30-45min educational diversion (plus nice cafe open at the same hours as the museum), it was really good. You'd definitely be able to stay for longer than that if unaccompanied by children.

They also offer immersive half-day school visits, which sounded good value to me...

I visited during the free summer holiday activity weeks and fell in love with this place. There are only a few members of staff and a lot of volunteers keeping this unique venue open. Some of the volunteers have been there for many years but they still love the place and still enjoy showing someone new the delights. There are four floors to explore with a local history museum on the ground floor, a Victorian classroom plus the Art Room on the first floor and the top floor has a kitchen where children can try and beat a rug, peg washing on a line, etc. The basement has a cafe that opens onto the Regent's Canal and a large soft play room for younger visitors. I visit a lot of museums that profess to be child-friendly but this place wins hands-down and I can't wait to go back. School visits have the run of the place during the week but the museum opens to the public for the Victorian school classroom experience on the first Sunday...