Museum of Illusions London Review

AD – Our family visit to Museum of Illusions London was kindly gifted. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sometimes, a change of scenery and a day doing something a little different is exactly what you need. This half term, we headed into London for some family fun, including a kindly gifted visit to Museum of Illusions London.

With interactive exhibits, unusual rooms and plenty of opportunities to take funny photographs, it turned out to be a lovely addition to our day in the city. We enjoyed getting involved, trying things out and coming away with a camera roll full of pictures that are slightly different from the usual family snaps!

If you’re considering a visit, here’s what to expect, how we found the half-term crowds and some useful information to help you plan.

Getting to London from Norfolk

We drove down from Norfolk, parked at Redbridge and took the Tube into London. This is an approach we’ve used before, and it works well for us when we’re heading into the city for a day out.

Once the car is parked and we’re on the Tube, it always feels as though the adventure has properly begun. There’s something lovely about stepping away from the everyday routine and having a day together with something fun to look forward to.

Museum of Illusions London is at 15–17 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 1BJ. Its central location makes it easy to build into a wider London itinerary, which is exactly how we approached our visit.

What Is Museum of Illusions London?

Museum of Illusions London explores how we see and interpret the world through more than 70 interactive exhibits, including illusion rooms, installations and optical illusions.

The experience plays with perspective, reflections and perception, creating situations where what you’re seeing doesn’t quite match what you know should be happening. It gives opportunities to appear to change size, share a table with multiple versions of yourself and seemingly climb a building’s façade without leaving the ground.

There’s also an Infinity Room, where repeated reflections create the impression of a space that carries on and on, and a kaleidoscope experience that brings patterns and reflections into the visit.

It’s an experience that encourages you to join in. Trying things, changing your viewpoint and taking photographs are all part of exploring the exhibits.

Our Family Experience

We really enjoyed the interactive side of the museum. Having things to do together gave the visit a lovely, playful feel, and there were plenty of opportunities to take turns and get involved.

Family outings don’t always need to be complicated. Sometimes, having something unusual to explore together is enough. Here, the exhibits provided that shared focus, with the photographs becoming part of the entertainment too.

As an art teacher, I also think there’s something interesting about an experience built around how we look at things. Perspective, scale and the relationship between an image and reality can feel quite abstract until you see them used in a way that surprises you. This is a playful way to introduce those ideas without it feeling like a lesson.

Mostly, though, we were there to enjoy ourselves, and we did. It was lovely to spend some time doing something a little silly together.

Plenty of Funny Photo Opportunities

Taking photographs was a big part of the fun for us. We took lots during our visit, and the interactive exhibits gave us plenty of material for some wonderfully funny pictures.

This is one outing where I’d suggest arriving with your phone charged and enough storage space. Taking turns behind the camera means everyone can be included, and it’s worth allowing yourself time to try different positions and angles.

The photographic element also gives you something to enjoy afterwards. A family day out can pass quickly, so it’s lovely to have pictures that capture what you were doing together.

You certainly don’t need perfect poses or carefully coordinated outfits. The unusual results are very much part of the appeal!

Was It Busy During Half Term?

We visited during half term, so it was busy at times. With lots of families making the most of the school holidays, that wasn’t particularly surprising.

However, we didn’t have to wait long for our turn on the interactive exhibits. There were moments when we needed to let others finish before having a go, but the waits were manageable and didn’t spoil the visit.

That’s worth knowing if you’re weighing up whether to go during the holidays. Our experience was that it could feel busy, but we were still able to enjoy the exhibits without spending ages queueing.

I’d leave some breathing space in your plans so you can take your time, particularly if you want to make the most of the photo opportunities.

Tickets and Booking Options

The museum offers both Regular Admission and Flexible Tickets.

Regular Admission involves choosing a specific arrival time, while a Flexible Ticket allows you to arrive at any time on your selected date. That could be useful if you’re planning several things in London and would prefer some flexibility.

At the time of writing, the booking website advertises:

Regular Admission from £21
Flexible Tickets from £33.50
Family tickets for two adults and two children

Prices depend on the ticket and visit selected, so check the booking page for the total for your family and preferred date.

You can explore the options through the Museum of Illusions London website.

Seasonal Events and Dog-Friendly Visits

It’s worth checking what’s on before booking, as the museum also advertises special activities and sessions.

For Halloween, “Weird Wonders That Reimagine Reality” runs from 2–31 October 2026. The booking page advertises Halloween photo opportunities, with a complimentary 3D puzzle included with each Halloween Package. If you’re visiting before the end of October, check the package details when booking.

The museum also advertises Dog-friendly Sundays, with two dog-friendly sessions on selected Sundays. These are specific sessions, so check the available dates and booking conditions if you’d like to bring your dog along.

Useful Information for Planning Your Visit

Address:
Museum of Illusions London
15–17 Tottenham Court Road
London
W1T 1BJ

Published opening hours:

Sunday–Thursday: 10am–7pm
Friday–Saturday: 10am–8pm

Opening times, ticket prices and special events can change, so check the official website before travelling.

My main advice would be to charge your phone, allow time for photographs and avoid packing your itinerary so tightly that you feel rushed. We enjoyed having the museum as one part of our London day out, with time to enjoy being in the city around it.

Would We Recommend Museum of Illusions London?

We had such a lovely visit. The interactive exhibits gave us plenty to enjoy together, and we came away with lots of funny photographs and some lovely memories of our half-term trip.

Although it was busy at points, we didn’t have to wait long to take part, which helped keep the experience enjoyable.

For us, Museum of Illusions London was a great addition to a family day in the city. If you enjoy interactive experiences and the chance to have a bit of fun in front of the camera, it’s one to consider for your next London outing.

K Elizabeth xoxox

*Gifted Trip