Life in the Victorian docks

London Museum Docklands — KS2

At our museum
  • A historical black and white photo showing a man carrying a large basket on his head in a busy street with horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians.

    Photograph taken by Paul Martin who was the first photographer to roam around London's streets to show 'life as it is'.

  • Dimly lit alley with a vintage pub, "The Three Mariners," and a stationer's shop. Illuminated windows reveal interior details; cobblestone path leads between buildings.

    Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian London in a recreation of a Wapping street.

Autumn term 2025 – Summer term 2026

What was life like in the Victorian docks? We'll help you find out.

What can objects tell us about life in Victorian east London? Explore real 19th-century artefacts in this investigative object handling session.

Pupils will get hands-on with original tools, everyday household objects and photographs for a glimpse into jobs and living conditions for people who lived near the docks.

You'll also have a chance to find out more in our galleries, including a walk through our evocative recreation of 19th-century Sailortown.

Key stage:
KS2
Curriculum:
KS2 History
Group size:
35 with a max of three groups per day
Duration:
60-minute session, plus gallery and lunch time
Risk assessment:

Guidance to help create a risk assessment

Cancellations:

Free, but cancellation charges apply

Session availability

Date Time
Tue 7 Oct 2025 10am – 1pm
Tue 7 Oct 2025 10am – 1.15pm
Wed 8 Oct 2025 11am – 2.15pm
Thu 9 Oct 2025 11am – 2.15pm
Tue 11 Nov 2025 10am – 1pm
Tue 11 Nov 2025 10am – 1.15pm
Tue 11 Nov 2025 11am – 2.15pm
Date Time
Tue 10 Feb 2026 10am – 1pm
Tue 10 Feb 2026 10am – 1.15pm
Tue 10 Feb 2026 11am – 2.15pm
Wed 11 Feb 2026 10am – 1.15pm
Wed 11 Feb 2026 10am – 1pm
Wed 11 Feb 2026 11am – 2.15pm
Thu 12 Feb 2026 10am – 1pm
Date Time
Tue 28 Apr 2026 10am – 1pm
Tue 28 Apr 2026 10am – 1.15pm
Tue 28 Apr 2026 11am – 2.15pm
Thu 30 Apr 2026 10am – 1pm
Thu 30 Apr 2026 10am – 1.15pm
Thu 30 Apr 2026 11am – 2.15pm
Tue 5 May 2026 10am – 1pm

Need to know

Our address is London Museum Docklands, No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL. We're just a few minutes away from Canary Wharf and West India Quay.

Check our need to know page to get the answers to all the frequently asked questions about visiting, facilities and accessibility.

Please see our plan a visit page for more information about planning a school visit, including a sensory map and visual story.

This session is free but advanced booking is required. To book, please call the Box Office on 020 7001 9844. If you have difficulty using the telephone, please visit our access page for assistance.

Please be aware that you are booking a timetabled package that includes set times for your session, self-directed gallery time and lunch tables for your group.

KS2 History: Beyond 1066 (Victorian); A local history study

Tags

London Museum Docklands Key Stage 2 (7-11)

Related galleries

  • London Museum Docklands

    Sailortown: 1840–1850

    Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian London in a recreation of a street in Wapping

  • London Museum Docklands

    First Port of Empire: 1840–1880

    When London was at the centre of the British empire and world trade