Fan Museum
Small museum in two Georgian townhouses in Greenwich devoted to the history, art and craft of the hand fan.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Fan Museum was established by Hélène Alexander MBE and her husband A.V. Alexander, and it opened to the public in 1991. It is housed in two restored early Georgian townhouses in Crooms Hill, within the Greenwich World Heritage Site, and describes itself as the only organisation in Great Britain devoted entirely to the history, culture and craft of the fan.
The museum is small and independent and is accredited by Arts Council England. Its collection covers more than a thousand years of fan history. Since 2008 it has had a royal patron, and in its first thirty years it staged more than eighty exhibitions and welcomed over 300,000 visitors.
The permanent displays on the ground floor explain fan types, materials and tools, and the techniques of fan making, and show fan painting from the 17th century onwards. Alongside them the museum shows changing exhibitions, runs fan-making workshops and hires out its Orangery for private events.
Highlights
- Introductory film and displays on fan types, materials and fan-making techniques
- Late 16th-century flag fan, described by the museum as a rare survival
- Fan painted by Walter Sickert
- Framed fan paintings from the 17th century onwards
- Free audio guide to the ground-floor displays
Permanent exhibition
- Permanent displays on fans and fan making – Ground-floor displays explain fan types, materials and tools, and show fan painting from the 17th century onwards, with an introductory film about the museum.
- Founded
- 1991
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £3Students with a valid card, senior citizens, English Heritage members, Friends of the Horniman and of the V&A, and staff or volunteers of the National Maritime Museum |
| Children & teens | £3free up to age 6 · Ages 7 to 16; children under 7 are free. |
| Seniors | £3Senior citizens enter free on Wednesdays. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Disabled visitors and their carers are admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | £3With a valid student card. |
| Groups (8+ people) | £5 per personGroups of 8 or more pay £5 per person and no concessions apply; groups must pre-book through the museum office. |
| Families | £10Up to 2 adults and 3 children, or 1 adult and 4 children. |
| Guided tour for groups (per person) | £10Discounts do not apply to guided tours. |
Free admission: Senior citizens enter free on Wednesdays.
Free entry also for children under 7, Art Fund members and London Pass holders. Tickets can be booked online and are redeemable once.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The street entrance has one step to the courtyard and three steps to the front door; staff can provide a portable folding ramp. Two manual wheelchairs are available on request. A lift serves all floors and is operated by staff. Accessible toilets and baby changing are on the ground floor. Guide dogs are welcome; other pets are not allowed. Large-text and written versions of the audio guide are available on request, in English only. Lighting is medium throughout for conservation reasons, and lightweight folding stools are available.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £10 · Up to 2 adults and 3 children, or 1 adult and 4 children. |
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Baby changing facilities
Children aged 7 to 16 pay a reduced price and under 7s are free. Prams and pushchairs can be stored in the Reception Room but cannot be taken around the museum.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Cutty Sark DLR station · 5-min walk
Cutty Sark DLR station is about a 5-minute walk (0.2 miles) and Greenwich National Rail station about 7 minutes (0.3 miles). Buses 177, 180, 188, 199, 286 and 386 serve Greenwich. Thames River Bus services run to Greenwich Pier.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
No museum car park. Pay and display parking at Burney Street (SE10 8EX, about 2 minutes' walk), Cutty Sark Gardens (SE10 9HT, about 5 minutes) and Greenwich Park North at Blackheath Gate (SE10 8QY, about 7 minutes, 0.5 miles).
Amenities & dining
- Coat check
The cloakroom has very limited capacity and takes only handbags and small backpacks. The museum prefers cashless payment. An online shop sells fans, books and cards; refreshments for groups can be pre-booked in the Orangery.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 30 guests.
The Orangery holds up to 30 people at a time and is available for weddings, civil ceremonies and private functions during museum operating hours; the garden is not available for events.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN) |
| Good to know | A free audio guide covers the ground-floor displays. Groups of 8 or more must contact the museum office to book in advance (at least two weeks ahead), and guided tours for groups cost £10 per person. Fan-making workshops run on the first Saturday of each month (13:30 to 16:30, maximum six people). |
