A small but interesting museum detailing the history of this Police Station and the adjoining Magistrates Courts which no longer exist. The reception area gives a good overview of this places history and the formation of the "Bow Street Runners" then six single cells continue the story with personal testimonies and stories of some of the famous criminals who passed through these doors. Adult entry price is £6 with concession rate of £4.50

Great little museum with a great history. Telling the story of the Bow street runners and policing in London prior to 1829 and beyond until it finally closed down. It seems to be a relatively new museum as I can't find it listed on trip advisor which is a massive shame as it deserves to attract more visitors. Some great exhibits, very informative and has housed some notorious characters such as the Kray twins. Well worth a visit.

It's not a large museum but very nicely laid out presenting the history of policing from the very beginning. Sited in the old Bow Street police station and beside the Magistrates Court. When I visited (as they opened on a Sunday), it was very quiet. If you are in the Covent Garden area and have any interest in the history of the police right back from the Bow Street Runners then this is wort a visit.

We came across this museum whilst in a trail around Covent garden. The museum is quite small but has a lot of information. There are displays in the cells and they also had some old police equipment out on display for the children to hold.

Great little museum which is well worth the very reasonable entry fee.

A small but concise museum covering the history of the Bow Street runners, the establishment of the police and the magistrates Court. Certainly worth a visit and full of history, as well as an insight into early policing up until the late 20th century.

A small but excellent museum, staff are polite and friendly, the children's trails for various ages are engaging. I would especially recommend going when they have events on - we attended for a finger-printing talk/workshop which was very good. Overall probably an hour or two's worth of content, but given the location there's plenty else to do in the area. The small gift shop also had a fair few books signed by the author if that's your thing

Very interesting small Museum, took us about 45 minutes to go round and read all the information. Very friendly and helpful member of staff at reception.

Great experience. I wish the exhibition could be expanded.

A great little museum but it uses that space excellently. Bow Street Mags and Police Station hold a critical role in the history of law enforcement and the of accountable courts. This museum is a great incite into this history. I was a policeman in the late 1980-90s this was a lovely trip down memory/amnesia lane. The cells are now used as mini galleries to tell differing stories. At least they no longer smell as bad as I remember. The staff are really great too

This is a very small museum part of the old Bow Street Court and police station. Spend about an hour, interesting history, looks like people who worked there contributed a lot. You det a discount voucher to use in a nearby pub. Worth a visit

Interesting little museum in part of the former Bow Street Police Station and court complex (the rest is now a hotel). It is half price for Art Fund members and can visit some of the cells, and see a dock and items linked to the building and those associated with it.

It was very informative and educational. The museum is rather small, with a few items on display and information on the walls, you also can experience sitting in the jail cells while you read the stories and information on display.

Excellent little museum. Lots of attention to detail. Great staff. Estimated time was 45 minutes but I spent 90 minutes taking in all the stories.

museum is opposite the front of the Royal Opera House, and is within walking distance from both Covent Garden Underground station and Charing Cross railway station. It was very well attended and a walk through the history of the London police.

Intimate little museum for such an important historical building - a good amount of information on the formative years of policing in London, and the short video presentation offers poignant insight into policing in the area. It's a shame they couldn't retain the canteen and magistrates court - would be a 5 out of 5 otherwise

If you're fascinated by the history of law enforcement or simply love a good true-crime story, then the Bow Street Police Museum in London is a must-visit. Housed in the former Bow Street Magistrates' Court and Police Station, this unique museum delves into the fascinating world of policing from the 18th century to the 20th century. From the moment you step inside, you're transported back in time. The original cells, now repurposed as exhibition spaces, feel eerily authentic. Exhibits bring to life the stories of the Bow Street Runners, London's first official police force, and the legendary magistrates who presided over cases in the very courtroom you're standing in. One of the most interesting aspects of the museum is its focus on the human side of policing. You'll hear tales of daring detective work, harrowing escapes, and the everyday challenges faced by officers throughout history. Interactive displays and multimedia presentations keep things engaging, even for those who aren't history buffs. The Bow Street Police Museum is a fascinating and informative experience for all ages. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a true-crime junkie, or simply curious about how policing has evolved, this museum is well worth a visit.

Such a hidden gem in central London! Not a big museum but all the interpretation is really well done (for adults and kids) and staff are lovely. Would recommend looking through the police gazette in the first room as there are some juicy stories!

Tucked away down a very thin alleyway, the entrance to this famous place is almost invisible. The door is sited under an old fashion gas lantern lamp and the small square windows give no view as to what is inside. A historical must for followers of 'The Bow Street Runners'.

A fascinating little museum tucked away but really close to Covent Garden.

Most of the original building is now a hotel so the museum is very small. But there is a lot of information on boards and you can enter the cells. Most importantly for me was seeing the actual dock that Oscar Wilde stood in and reading about the people who were at the station - The Krays, Suffragettes and many more names we all know of.

I visited yesterday (Sunday afternoon) with the London Cultureseekers. The museum is impressive for the size, it will take a hour to visit. Many famous people have found themselves passing through here on the wrong side of law, it is quite surprising. There are rumours that the museum may expand in the future to include the upper floors, including more cells. When that happens it will be fitting for a repeat visit. And I may add, the staff and manager are super friendly. (PSST - Y.K.W.: Enjoy the Morris dancing classes! 😉)

Interesting museum but very small. As it is close to Covent Garden, it's worth popping in to look around before going elsewhere.

A small but really interesting museum. Enjoy sitting on the bench/ bed in the cells while the history of the building plays on the screen on the wall. Helpful staff who will try to answer all your questions. You have to book but if you are in Covent Garden take a bit of time to enjoy the history of the best known police station in the world.

This little museum is amazing. Our first visit was fantaatic. Learned so much and my son 7yo had a great time being a detective. Will be back again.

The museum covered some events that happened in my lifetime. It was well lit and the information boards were short but informative.

Loved it! Everything is so thoughtfully laid out and presented, and it was very easy to spend over an hour absorbed in the history, stories, and pictures. A real treat.

Should be free, with optional donation. More extensive exhibits required.

Small but packed full of information from the days before the police even existed.

It was my first visit to the museum, and it's fair to say it won't be my last. There was lots to look at in the cells from the earliest days to more modern times, and there was a really evocative feel. It was amazing to see the courtroom dock, and think about it's past occupants. The museum staff were really knowledgeable, and helpful. There was level access within the museum. Wheelchair access from outside was provided via the adjoining NoMad hotel, itself worth a visit. A range of walking tours and evening talks are part of the experience, with the latter being currently partly provided as hybrid events. Tickets can be easily booked online.

I found it a strange experience as I did spend the occasional night or two here in my misspent youth back when it was open as a Police station. If you got arrested in the West End you usually ended up there. It's very important historically as it's where the birth of the policeman happened and there are some great displays that illustrate the history. I learnt some fascinating things and I will definitely visit again.

Just a small museum, but very informative.

Wonderful small museum, definitely worth a visit. The cells are especially well done.

Brand new museum tucked down a side road, very small but clean and fresh with some interesting facts ideal if you have 30 to 45 minutes to spare.

This museum is beautifully curated and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. A real pleasure to see this part of London's history brought to life!

Very quaint museum just moments from Covent Garden tube station. I came here in memory of my late Aunt who served at Bow Street from 1959 to 1964. There is a general exhibition about the origins of Bow Street and then you head towards the male cells where there are photos and memorabilia about the officers who served there and the notorious prisoners. I particularly enjoyed seeing the picture of my Aunt with two of her friends and the 10 minute video about the retired officers who served at Bow Street. It's a wonderful tribute to English legal history and of course the officers who served there. Highly recommended.

The museum is small and friendly with lovely staff and plenty of information about the history of policing in the local area. From the Bow Street runners to infamous criminals who passed through the police station and the staff who worked there, exhibits in the old cells bring the history to life. We were also lucky enough to go on a walking tour of the area called Stages and Cells - highly recommended if you get the chance. Well worth a visit.

Museum is very small, consists of one room where you enter and there are a few artifacts with a hallway leading off to about 8 cells which were all the same. Inside the cells are pictures on the wall with a description of previous prisoners. Hopefully they can add to the collection as it has the potential to be a great little place to visit.

Interesting but very small museum, it needs something else perhaps some wax figures of the Bow Street Runners or people who spent the night there. Lovely friendly staff. Best of luck to this important museum.

Lovely museum with incredibly informative and friendly staff. If you don't think police museums would normally be your thing don't let the name fool you. The contents includes a fantastically refreshing look at the history of policing, with a particular focus on the station itself and its links to the surrounding area. If you have the chance make sure you go on the Of Mollies and Men Walking Tour which offers a really interesting look at the history of the LGBTQ+ community in and around Covent Garden, and of course some fascinating information on how policing interacts with that. Emily is very knowledgeable and did a great job at creating a tour on such a complex topic. Overall you'd be mad to miss out on this museum!

Friendly staff and delicious cake for their 1 year open celebration. Interesting walk through if you have an hour. Talking to the volunteer retiree copper was really cool.