Metropolitan Police Museum
Museum of the Metropolitan Police in Sidcup, visited by free pre-booked guided tour of a forensics exhibition; visitors must be aged 16 or over.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Metropolitan Police Museum was founded in 1949, when an appeal marking the bicentenary of the Bow Street Runners gathered objects connected with the Met and its forerunners. The collection was first kept at Bow Street Police Station and had no curator until 1967. Its stores later moved to Brixton and then Charlton.
A gallery and research room opened in West Brompton in 2009 as the Metropolitan Police Heritage Centre, and closed in early 2020 when the building changed use. The collection moved to Marlowe House in Sidcup in October 2022, where a research room opened in 2022 and a gallery in 2023. The museum also looks after the Metropolitan Police Historic Vehicle Collection, kept at the same site.
The gallery is open only on pre-booked guided tours of its current exhibition. From September 2026 to September 2027 this is Forensics 125, which marks 125 years since the Met's Fingerprint Department was formed in 1901 and uses objects from the Crime Museum and today's forensic services. The Crime Museum at New Scotland Yard is a separate collection and is not open to the public.
Highlights
- Guided tour of the Forensics 125 exhibition, September 2026 to September 2027
- Objects from the Met's Crime Museum, including material from the Great Train Robbery and the Acid Bath Murders case
- History of fingerprints, DNA, shoe prints and ear prints in Met investigations
- Historic police vehicle collection at Marlowe House
- Founded
- 1949
- Operated by
- Metropolitan Police Service
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | –Visitors under 16 are not admitted. |
| Groups (3+ people) | –Groups of 3 to 15 people book by email. |
Tours are listed as free but must be booked in advance.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
An earlier event listing for the museum describes full wheelchair access and accessible toilets on site. Assistance dogs are welcome and visitors should email after booking to say one is coming. Visitors with other access requirements are asked to email in advance. Arrangements for Blue Badge holders can be made by email.
Kids & families
Not suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 16+
The museum does not admit guests under 16 because some of the material is not suitable for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Sidcup station · 5-min walk
Sidcup railway station is about five minutes' walk away.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no on-site visitor car park. The nearest car parks are at Sidcup railway station (DA15 7AW) and off Old Farm Avenue (DA15 8AE), each about five minutes' walk away. Blue Badge holders can arrange parking by email.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & 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. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The 90-minute tour is the only way to see the gallery. The exhibition includes material not suitable for children. The museum also holds occasional open days for its historic vehicle collection. |
