Browse by borough
Discover the history of all 32 London boroughs and the City of London through our objects, stories and blogs.
Barking & Dagenham
Greyhound racing, 16th-century witch trials and the 1960s Ford machinists’ strike
Bexley
Links to the Gunpowder Plot and Peasants’ Revolt, and home to arguably the world’s most beautiful sewage works
Ealing
The borough where entertainment history collides with suburbia – and some striking architectural landmarks.
Hammersmith & Fulham
A 16th-century palace, an imposing Victorian prison and a glorious suspension bridge
Haringey
In the 19th century, Haringey welcomed Alexandra Palace and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
Hounslow
A borough whose history takes in aristocratic wealth, dangerous highwaymen and rock’n’roll royalty
Islington
Shaped by waterways, elegant squares and distinctive council estates, Islington is home to cultural icons and radical thinkers
Kensington & Chelsea
London’s smallest borough packs a big punch with tourist draws like Portobello Road and several world-renowned museums
Kingston upon Thames
This royal borough’s coat of arms shows three salmon – a sign of its ancient connection to the river
Lambeth
Culture, industry, a historic cricket ground – Lambeth bears the imprint of many diverse influences
Lewisham
Taking in areas like New Cross and Sydenham, Lewisham is home to beautiful gardens as well as sites of rebellion and protest
Richmond upon Thames
Famous for its beautiful parks, miles of Thames waterfront and royal connections
Southwark
An amazing snapshot of London’s history that spans Roman ruins and the gleaming Shard skyscraper
Wandsworth
Where you’ll find the iconic Battersea Power Station and some of south London’s best-known green spaces