Museum of London

That, unfortunately, was my experience as well. I had been back in the 80's and went again in Sept 2013. There were tons of school groups touring when I visited as well. I did not find the museum cogently laid out this time and the exhibits were not really of interest to me which surprised me because I love London and I love history and I love London History! I could only conclude I was not the target audience which has a much shorter attention span than I do! I was disappointed as I had remembered it in a previous existence and ~loved~ it then. You can see a section of the old Roman wall nearby if you do visit.

Please understand that I don't mind visiting with school groups, I mean, how great would that be for a field trip? But, in my mind the museum was clearly designed for Jr high age or younger kids.

My view of the current exhibits are that they are somewhat unbalanced in favour of the pre- and early history, and things start to get a bit disjointed after the fire, and from the 19th century onwards things get a bit random. Nevertheless I still got a lot out of my last visit, in particular the Olympic cauldron exhibit.

Spend the time instead to visit the Tower of London...which has the history you long for. Also go to the financial district on a Sunday so you can stand in the street and look up to see the fabulous architecture on the fronts of all the old Banks...some are now Pubs. Check the National Trust Site for several great houses through out the City that now have wonderful collections...Fenton House is one of my favorites with antique musical instruments. Look up the Blue Plaque site for listings of homes of historic persons. Capt Bligh lived near what is now the Imperial War Museum which has realistic displays of WWI Trenches and WWII London Blitz,

It's been quite a number of years since I visited, but at that time I really liked the museum a lot. It sounds as if it might have changed? I tend to agree with Marco's comments, however, and felt that my visit at the time was very worthwhile.

I enjoyed spending a couple of hours in this museum last year.
It was nice to be in a museum the size of which was manageable instead of overwhelming.
I also have a definite curiosity about pre-historical London and this Museum covers that, as well as later periods of London's history.

FWIT, Rick describes the museum as giving "the best overview of London history in town."
And it's free! (as are a number of London museums)

I'd suggest someone considering this museum should at least glance at the website, read Rick's 2-page description of the Museum in his London guidebook, and then decide if what this museum covers and how it covers it, is for them.

Maybe it's me, but I didn't think the Museum of London was dumbed down when we visited a few years ago. I thought it was quite good. Held my attention better than some others I won't name, but I'm a little ADHD even in my eighth decade. ;-)

The Tower of London is also an excellent visit, but not really a museum except for the armor and the crown jewels. It's the place where a lot of things happened, well preserved and displayed, atmospheric and evocative. Take the Yeoman Warder tour if you can.

Noticing only now your reference to social history, you might prefer the branch of the Museum of London in Docklands with its main emphasis being on the mercantile activities of London.

My husband and I went in 2008 or 2010 - it's a bit blurry which year. I remember finding it quite interesting...I think I went thru faster than hubby, but he takes more time to read things. Unless something has changed since then - I mean, it certainly isn't as interesting as the British Museum or the V&A, but we spent a few hours here - I think we actually went later in the afternoon and ran out of time as it was closing, so we sped thru the last part (Victorian Era, maybe) which looked interesting in it's own right - wow...will have to go back next time we are in London!

Just reading the Wikipedia page and I see "The museum had a £20 million redevelopment which was completed in May 2010. This is its biggest investment since opening in 1976. The re-design, by London-based architects Wilkinson Eyre, tells the story of London and Londoners from the Great Fire of 1666 to the present day. The transformation includes four new galleries. The new City Gallery features large street level windows along London Wall and provides an illuminated showcase for the Lord Mayor's State Coach, which takes to the streets each November for the Lord Mayor's Show"...

Over the last 10 years been more than once. Each time with first time London visitors. A first stop. All expressed gratitude having the opportunity to learn about the city's evolution. Made them appreciate their London experience more fully. I learn something new each time as well. Going back in the Fall.

For more hands on experience with London history, see if you can do a mudlarking tour on the Thames at low tide and look for stuff on the shore! We were unable to do this on our last trip, but I am looking forward to doing it the next time around.

I would second the recommendation of the Museum of London, Docklands. A social historian by training,
I found the exhibits there to be very well laid out and interesting to all levels of visitors.
Despite its focus on the shipping and trade aspects of London, I also think they managed to cover
a lot of historical ground. Docklands is one of my favorites now and I will certainly revisit when I next return to London.

I also enjoyed my visit to the original Museum of London, but it's been a much longer time since I had last been and I don't recall all the details. I wouldn't say it was "dumbed down" as much as it was just presented to be, let's say, "accessible" to all audiences. (I find the same issues here in Washington with some elements of the Smithsonian American History Museum.

To some degree all history museums have to simplify the message to present a coherent story. ) Overall I would recommend
visiting both museums in London if you can spare the time.

And I enjoyed and plan on returning to both Museums of London (along with others) when I return to London with my kids and Grands next summer. Didn't feel it (original) was "dumbed down" at all. But then I always like any exhibit that has hands on experiences.

I also enjoyed the Museum of London. I found it more manageable than other larger museums, like others have said. I do not think "dumbed down" is the right phrase for it, and I did not think overall it was geared towards children (some things were). They had some interesting 15th and 16th Century items that I was excited about and more modern pieces as well. We were able to spend a couple of comfortable hours there, not feel rushed, and not overwhelmed when we left. If you enjoy social history, I do not think you would be disappointed by a visit. If you have limited time, it might not be my first priority, but if you are there for more than a few days, I would try to fit it in when you are on that side of town.