The Postal Museum

Five Centuries of Communication Through the Post

The Postal Museum tells the remarkable story of how the postal service shaped British society and global communication. Spanning over 500 years of history, the museum's vast collection includes tens of thousands of objects and millions of stamps, tracing the evolution from Henry VIII's desire for a court communication network in the 16th century to the postal service's vital role in today's digital age. The museum explores how sending, delivering, and receiving messages revolutionized daily life, transforming Britain into what was once called the world's first "social network."

Mail Rail: London's Hidden Underground Railway

The centerpiece of any visit is Mail Rail, a theatrical journey through the original tunnels and station platforms beneath Royal Mail's Mount Pleasant sorting office. This 100-year-old miniature postal railway once operated 22 hours a day, transporting mail across London from Paddington to Whitechapel. Your 20-minute narrated ride includes an audio-visual show charting a century of postal engineering innovations, with stops at key locations like the engineering area. The experience combines historical immersion with the thrill of traveling through London's hidden infrastructure, making it unforgettable for visitors of all ages.

Collections That Tell Personal Stories

The permanent exhibitions showcase the social history of Britain through postal artifacts. Visitors encounter rare treasures like the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, alongside intimate wartime letters home and cryptic Victorian Valentine cards. Each object reveals how people communicated across distances, maintained relationships, and documented their lives before email and smartphones. The museum's thoughtful curation transforms these items into windows into everyday life across centuries, demonstrating how essential postal communication once was to society.

Interactive Experiences for All Ages

Beyond passive observation, the museum offers immersive activities that engage visitors directly. Participate in interactive exhibits such as fending off highwaymen in the mail coach game, sorting mail like a postal worker, designing your own stamps, and sending secret messages across the room via pneumatic canisters. These hands-on elements make the museum particularly appealing to families with children, though adults find equal enjoyment in the engaging approach to learning. The museum's layout across two connected buildings—the Mail Rail station and the main museum—creates a natural flow through different aspects of postal history.

Temporary Exhibitions and Contemporary Relevance

In addition to permanent collections, the museum regularly features temporary exhibitions that explore postal history from fresh perspectives. Recent exhibitions have examined the postal service's complex historical role, including its connections to global trade and social issues. These rotating displays ensure that repeat visitors always discover something new, while highlighting how the postal service remains relevant to understanding modern society and communication challenges.

Location and Accessibility

Situated in Clerkenwell, just north of central London, the museum is easily accessible and welcomes visitors with comprehensive facilities. The site features level access with ramps and lifts, accessible baby changing rooms, staff trained in disability awareness, and audio commentary available for exhibitions. A café serves hot drinks and homemade cake, providing a comfortable space to rest and reflect on your visit. All tickets include unlimited access to exhibitions for one year from your visit date plus one ride on Mail Rail.