British Optical Association Museum
The oldest museum of ophthalmic optics in the world, in a Georgian house off the Strand, visited on booked guided tours.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The British Optical Association Museum was founded in 1901 and describes itself as the oldest museum of ophthalmic optics, or optometry, in the world. In 2026 it marks its 125th anniversary. It is an accredited museum run by the College of Optometrists.
The museum is housed at 42 Craven Street, in two Georgian townhouses from the 1730s with later alterations. The buildings have been a private residence, a lodging house, a doctor's surgery, a theatrical agency and a dealer in optical curiosities. A full refurbishment was carried out in stages from 2021 and the museum reopened in September 2025.
The collection has more than 28,000 items, including historic vision aids, spectacle frames and lenses, sight-testing equipment, protective shades and goggles, and models of eye disease. It also holds rare books, prints, photographs, trade literature, advertisements and artworks. Every visit is a guided tour that must be booked in advance, and the museum offers an online collection and a virtual try-on of antique and vintage spectacles.
Highlights
- More than 28,000 items on the history of vision and eyewear
- Historic spectacles, contact lenses and sunglasses
- Sight-testing equipment and models of eye disease
- Guided tours of the Georgian townhouse rooms
- Online collection and virtual try-on of antique spectacles
- Founded
- 1901
- Operated by
- College of Optometrists
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Children under 16 must be accompanied. |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disabilities | –Meeting room tours are free for registered carers and people registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired. |
| Groups | –Meeting room tours are open to groups of up to 25. |
| Meeting room tour (per person) | £10Free for College members and fellows, registered carers, people registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired, and members of the Museums Association, the Ophthalmic Antiques International Collectors’ Club and the Scientific Instrument Society; paid on the day |
The standard tour is free; donations are welcome.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- 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
Visitors with access needs are invited to discuss their requirements with the curator when booking.
Kids & families
The standard tour is suitable for anyone; children under 16 must be accompanied.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Embankment station
Embankment station (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines) is a short walk away.
The museum is in a Georgian house just off the Strand in central London.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Every visit is a guided tour that must be booked in advance through the website. The standard tour takes about 50 to 60 minutes and covers the Giles and Sutcliffe rooms; the meeting room tour takes 1.5 to 2 hours and also includes other College rooms, depending on room availability because the College is a working building. Research visits to see specific items can also be requested. |
