Leave a gift in your will

A will provides complete assurance that your lasting wishes will be carried out and that the people and causes that are important benefit in the way that you intend. 

If you do not make a will, your entire estate (everything you’ve worked hard to build over your lifetime) will be divided in accordance with UK law when you die, rather than according to your own wishes.

As well as causing you uncertainty, dying intestate (without a will) can also be very distressing for those that survive you. It is estimated that almost 60 per cent of British adults do not have a will.

There is no minimum or maximum monetary donation that you make to London Transport Museum but please consider those closest to you first before deciding which charities you wish to support. 

Residual gifts are currently the most common type of gift left to charities. Residual gifts can acquire value over time. But please give whatever you can afford.

No. All donations made to UK registered charities in wills are exempt from UK inheritance tax.

A restricted legacy is a gift dedicated to a particular area of the Museum’s work.

It is possible to restrict your gift and if you would like to do this please contact us to discuss this to ensure that we are able to fulfil your intentions.

Most of the gifts we receive are designed for general purposes, this is helpful as it enables us to use the funds where they are needed most.  

If you do not already have a solicitor, speaking with friends and family members can often be a good first place to start. They may be able to recommend a solicitor local to you.

If you are in employment or are a member of a trades union, we recommend contacting them to explore what services they offer.

Alternatively, you can find a solicitor using the solicitor finder tool on the Law Society’s website. 

Depending on your personal and financial circumstances, an individual can expect to pay up to £250 for a will.

If you are employed or are a member of a trades union, it is worth exploring whether your HR team can point you in the direction of a free or a discounted will writing provider.

National Free Wills month falls in March and November each year so you can expect most opportunities to be advertised then. 

It is possible to amend your will at any time. Solicitors will change a small fee for this privilege.

In some cases, your solicitor may recommend adding a something called a Codicil. A Codicil is a legally binding document which enables you to make small changes to your will, without needing to rewrite it entirely.

However, if your circumstances change, a solicitor may advise having your will rewritten.

In every case we strongly recommend that you consult a solicitor when making or updating your will, to ensure that it is legally valid and reflects your intentions.

If you share our passion for the world of transport you may have accumulated your very own transport collection over the years with objects that might include model railways, posters, art, books and even vehicles.

Every year, a number of people generously gift a specific object or a transport related collection to the London Transport Museum or the London Transport Museum Friends, usually with the intention that these items can be sold, and the resulting income used to support our heritage and education work. We have prepared this short step-by-step guide to help.

1) Allocate special or sentimental items to family and friends

Leaving items with a strong sentimental or personal value to family and friends in your will is a lovely way to be remembered. Because of the memories certain items hold, gifting certain pieces is thoughtful and comforting and can help those you leave behind come to terms with grief.

2) Consider donating your remaining items to London Transport Museum Friends Resale shop

Once an item with a strong sentimental or personal value has been taken care of, you may consider donating your remaining items to the London Transport Museum Friends Resale shop, at the Museum Depot in Acton. Your items could bring immense joy to fellow members of the transport community.

The London Transport Museum Friends is an independent charity (Registered Charity No 1185277) which works closely with  London Transport Museum to fulfil its objectives and support its collections. All proceeds raised from sales made at their Resale shop go directly towards supporting the Museum’s heritage and education work. The Resale shop is open during Museum Depot Open Days and Weekends. London Transport Museum and its Curatorial team is always offered first refusal of any items which the Friends believe may enrich the London Transport Museum collection.

3) Arrange delivery or pick up your collection

Upon your death, you may wish to arrange for a family member or friend to deliver your collection to London Transport Museum’s Depot in Acton. Alternatively, London Transport Museum Friends offer a collection service. For more information about this please email [email protected] marking your email for the attention of John King, Friends Retail Manager.

4) Communicate your arrangements to your solicitor

Should you wish to name the London Transport Museum Friends Resale shop as a beneficiary, we have provided some wording which you may wish to take with you to your meeting with your solicitor. 

Upon death, I wish for X/ all items in my transport collection to be donated to The London Transport Museum Friends Resale shop located at: 2 Museum Way, 118- 120 Gunnersbury Lane, Acton, W3 9BQ.

I have planned for my collection to be transported to Acton by X (insert name/ name of service here)/ collected by London Transport Museum Friends from the following address:

We know that many people have their own collection or an object that may fill a gap in or further enrich London Transport Museum’s collection.

Before donating a specific gift to London Transport Museum, it is important to notify us to ensure that we can accommodate and properly care for your item or collection.

All acquisition decisions are managed by the Museum’s Collections Acquisitions Committee who meet monthly. This committee is overseen by the Museum Director, Assistant Director: Collections & Engagement and Head Curator.

The Museum holds relationships with several art valuers and auctioneers who are happy to provide bespoke valuations and specific advice if this is required.

Please direct any enquiries in the first instance to [email protected]