Discover ‘The Art of the Poster’ at the Museum Depot
We’re throwing open the doors to our Museum Depot in Acton Town between Thursday 21 April to Sunday 24 April for visitors to discover the art of the poster and explore our world-renowned collection of transport posters dating from around 1905.
During this special four-day event, guests can step behind-the-scenes of our fascinating art and poster stores - usually closed to the public – as our knowledgeable guides reveal how poster design has characterised London and its transport for over 100 years.
The Museum Depot is a trove of transport treasure housing more than 320,000 artefacts, including more than 30,000 posters, representing up to 7,000 designs.
Visitors to the ‘Art of the Poster’ Open Days will have the chance to try their hand at creating their very own posters in creative workshops.
On Thursday 21 and Friday 22 April, adult visitors can join artist Emma Hockley to design their own poster art inspired by the Capital using different artistic techniques and mixed media.
On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April, families with budding artists can enjoy creative art sessions and make their very own colourful transport poster to take home.
A line-up of talks with artists, curators and historians will also be on offer at selected times across the four days. These mini lectures will give curious art fans the chance to delve into the stories behind iconic posters of the past and reveal how contemporary artworks are commissioned. Timings for the full programme will be available on the Museum’s website from mid-March
As well as discovering the artistic side to the Capital’s transport history guests can explore the Museum’s extensive collection of historic Tube trains, buses, maps, signs and curiosities from 200 years of London’s transport history. Families can also follow a self-guided family-friendly trail to spot some of the most curious and colourful vehicles on display.
On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April, the London Transport Miniature Railway will be running for visitors to hop aboard replica models of Underground trains used on the Metropolitan line between the 1920s and 1960s.
The Depot shop will be open offering exclusive gifts and souvenirs, from moquette pattern socks, scarves and cushions, to framed posters, limited-edition prints and authentic Underground signs. Refreshments will be available from Mini Bean Coffee.
Timed tickets must be booked in advance online.
The Museum’s Depot will open for two more unique events this year:
- Act On it! Depot Open Days, Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 July 2022
Discover how London’s transport is making tracks to keep our city green for the future. Join in with family workshops and creative activities, find out what active travel really means, see exciting vehicle displays and explore how buses, Tubes and trains have changed over the last 200 years.
- Depot Unlocked Open Days, Thursday 22 – Sunday 25 September 2022
Unlock a world of transport treasures hidden behind the doors of our Depot and explore how London’s transport has shaped our city for over a century, from the Underground to what’s over ground. Tour behind the scenes with expert guides, catch a bitesize lecture or two and get creative in family-friendly workshops.