The London Transport Museum recorded a landmark year in 2025, welcoming 449,599 visitors, the highest annual total since its opening in Covent Garden in 1980.

This figure shows a 6 per cent increase from 2024, highlighting growing public interest in the capital’s transport heritage.

The Museum’s Hidden London tours saw unprecedented demand, attracting 48,630 ticket holders in 2025, an all-time high since their launch in 2015. For the first time, these tours were opened to visitors aged 10 to 16, offering unique access to disused stations, wartime shelters, and other restricted parts of the Underground network.

The rise in attendance also follows the introduction of a refreshed brand identity and a broader programme of activities. Two new exhibitions, alongside expanded group and travel trade engagement, contributed to the growth. 

Regular Friday afternoon musical performances, featuring emerging classical and jazz artists, also enhanced the visitor experience.

The rebrand, launched in July 2024 under Director and CEO Elizabeth McKay, includes a modern reinterpretation of Edward Johnston’s iconic roundel.

Supported by a targeted publicity campaign, the initiative has strengthened the Museum’s reach. As a member of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, the Museum remains a key contributor to the UK’s cultural landscape.

The museum is set to continue to provide visitors with a memorable experience, with a wide range of exhibitions, open days, and events slated for the year ahead.

“Since opening on the Covent Garden Piazza in 1980, London Transport Museum has welcomed more than 10 million visitors. We’re delighted that each year, more and more people are excited to discover the story of London and how life here has been shaped by its ever-evolving transport network. Ahead of our 50th anniversary in 2030, we’re thinking creatively about what the future will look like for London Transport Museum, so watch this space!”

Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO of London Transport Museum.