Royal Academy of Music Museum
Free museum at the Royal Academy of Music with historic violins by Stradivari and Amati, keyboard instruments, manuscripts and music memorabilia.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was opened in 2001 with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and is part of the Royal Academy of Music, which is a registered charity. It earlier carried the name York Gate Collections. The collections cover instruments, art, photographs, manuscripts and scores, and many of them hold Designated status from Arts Council England, which also accredits the museum.
The museum is next to the Academy’s studios, practice rooms and concert halls, so visitors see an institution where students live, rehearse and study. The Academy moved to Marylebone Road in 1911, and the museum building is linked to the Nash terrace at York Gate by the entrance to Regent’s Park.
The Strings Gallery shows Cremonese instruments by makers such as Antonio Stradivari and the Amati family, in a room that is also used for teaching and rehearsal. The Piano Gallery shows historic keyboard instruments by makers including Broadwood, Pleyel and Erard. A ground-floor display tells the history of the Academy. The museum also holds manuscripts and letters by composers and the papers of conductors and musicians, and it runs lecture-recitals, workshops and family activities.
Highlights
- Stradivari violins, including the Viotti ex-Bruce of 1709
- Instruments by the Amati family
- Historic pianos by Broadwood, Pleyel and Erard
- Manuscripts and letters by composers
- History of the Academy display
Permanent exhibitions
- Strings Gallery – Historic stringed instruments, including violins by Stradivari and the Amati family, in a room that also serves for teaching and rehearsal.
- Piano Gallery – Historic keyboard instruments, including pianos by Broadwood, Pleyel and Erard, shown on a campus where students live and practise.
- History of the Academy – A ground-floor display on the Academy’s history with items such as a conducting baton and letters by Mendelssohn.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Royal Academy of Music
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Self-guided group tour, up to 20 people (60 minutes), plus VAT | £40Monday to Thursday, booking essential. |
|---|---|
| General tour led by students, up to 20 people (75 minutes), plus VAT | £60£75 plus VAT for 20 to 40 people. |
Entry to the museum is free. Concerts and performances need tickets.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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 a ramp and Jebsen House has a side ramp. Lifts serve the performance halls, the basement and the museum in Jebsen House. Accessible toilets are in Jebsen House and near the David Josefowitz Recital Hall. Blue Badge holders can park free in nearby disabled bays. The nearest step-free Underground station is King’s Cross St Pancras.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The museum runs family activities as part of its free public programme.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Regent’s Park station
Regent’s Park (Bakerloo line) and Baker Street (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Circle lines) are a short walk away. Marylebone station is about a 10-minute walk, and Euston, St Pancras and King’s Cross are also nearby. Buses 27, 30, 88, 205 and 453 stop outside the Academy.
By car
- Accessible parking
The museum does not publish a visitor car park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Coat check: not available
Sound Bites Café and the Academy Bar are in the basement of the main building. There is no cloakroom or luggage storage. The Academy accepts card and contactless payments only.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography, filming or sound recording in the performance venues is not allowed without permission. |
| Good to know | Group tours run Monday to Thursday and must be booked by email to museum.engagement@ram.ac.uk. A performance tour of two hours ends with short student performances. School groups of up to 23 can book a tailored visit with live instrument demonstrations. |
