Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice
Museum in the former Bow Street police station and magistrates' court in Covent Garden, telling the story of policing and justice in London.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum occupies part of the former Bow Street Police Station and Magistrates' Court in Covent Garden. A court first sat on Bow Street in 1740, and in the 1740s the magistrate's constables became known as the Bow Street Runners, an early and effective police force. The current building dates from 1881. The police station closed in 1992 and the court in 2006, after which the grade II listed building was sold to developers and converted into a hotel and a museum.
The museum opened to the public in May 2021 as the Bow Street Police Museum, an independent charity. In 2025 it was renamed Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice to reflect wider stories of crime, courts and justice and to avoid confusion with the Metropolitan Police's own museum.
Galleries in the former cells and offices cover policing around Covent Garden from the mid-18th century to 1992. Displays include an original court dock, equipment of the Bow Street Runners and officers' personal belongings, as well as "the tank", a large cell where people arrested for drunkenness were held. Well-known prisoners and defendants such as Oscar Wilde, Dr Crippen and the Kray twins appear in the story.
Highlights
- Seven original 19th-century police cells turned into galleries
- "The tank", the large holding cell for drunks
- Original court dock and Bow Street Runners objects
- Stories of Oscar Wilde, the suffragettes and the Kray twins
- Family detective trail
- Founded
- 2021
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £6Concessions |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Under 12s are free; each child must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Visitors with disabilities can book a carer or companion ticket free of charge. |
| Groups | £6 per personLearning groups: self-guided visits at £6 per person; time slots are limited to 15 people every 30 minutes. |
| Local residents | £4 |
Tickets are sent by email after online booking and should be shown on a phone or tablet. Admission tickets are not refundable; exchanges are possible subject to availability.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The main entrance has one small step up from the street and four medium steps up into the main gallery. The step-free route is through the main entrance of the NoMad London hotel, where staff will guide visitors. The seven original 19th-century cells are hard to reach for some wheelchair users (cell doorways 73 cm wide, 110 cm inside the cells). An accessible toilet is next to reception. Written transcripts of all audio and video displays, including large print, are available. Several Blue Badge spaces are on Bow Street, subject to availability.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
A family detective trail lets children pick up a case file and follow the history of policing on Bow Street. Family workshops and storytelling sessions in the cells for ages 5 to 12 take place on selected dates.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Covent Garden station · 3-min walk
Covent Garden (London Underground) is a 3-minute walk. Holborn is 7 minutes, Charing Cross 11 minutes, and Temple and Embankment 12 minutes on foot. Charing Cross National Rail station is about 11 minutes, Waterloo 19 minutes and Blackfriars 21 minutes on foot.
By car
A few Blue Badge spaces are on Bow Street, subject to availability.
- Accessible parking
The museum recommends arriving by public transport. The entrance is in Martlett Court, off Bow Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in the museum. There are no eating or drinking facilities on site.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits are self-guided with staff on hand to answer questions. Themed guided tours of the museum and collection and evening talks are offered at set dates. Learning groups can book through the museum. |
