If your kids have ever pressed their noses against a bus window or demanded to ride in the front carriage of the Tube, this is the day out you’ve been waiting for!
The London Transport Museum is throwing open the doors of its usually off-limits Depot in Acton Town for a series of incredible open days in 2026, and the line-up is genuinely special. We’re talking historic trains you can actually climb aboard, legendary buses you can get up close to, expert talks, family activities, live demonstrations, and more than 320,000 objects from one of the world’s greatest transport collections.
Bear with us here! This isn’t just a museum visit. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes adventure that most Londoners never get to experience.
TL;DR: The London Transport Museum Depot opens to the public on selected dates in 2026 (9-12 April, 3-5 July, and 18-20 September). The April event, “Icons of London,” celebrates 120 years of the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines and 70 years of the Routemaster bus. Adult tickets are £19, kids are £10, and under-3s go free. Advance booking is essential.
What Are the London Transport Museum Depot Open Days?
The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden is one of London’s most beloved family attractions, but did you know there’s a whole secret world hidden away in west London? The Museum’s Depot in Acton Town is a working collection store that houses a staggering range of historic vehicles, signs, maps, artwork, and objects that simply can’t fit in the main museum.
Normally, this treasure trove is completely off-limits to the public. But on a handful of special dates each year, the Depot swings open its doors and invites families in to explore.
The 2026 Depot open days dates are:
- 9-12 April 2026 (“Icons of London”)
- 3-5 July 2026
- 18-20 September 2026
The April event is the big one. Timed to coincide with Easter, “Icons of London” celebrates a remarkable triple anniversary: 120 years of the Bakerloo line, 120 years of the Piccadilly line, and 70 years since the iconic Routemaster bus first took to London’s streets. It’s the perfect excuse to introduce the kids to some of the most famous vehicles in British history!
Why Is This Such a Big Deal?
Most families only ever see the London Transport Museum’s vehicles at the Covent Garden site. The Depot is something else entirely. With over 320,000 objects stored there, it’s a genuinely awe-inspiring space, and the chance to explore it alongside expert talks and hands-on activities makes it a completely different experience to a standard museum visit.
Think it sounds like a niche interest? Think again! Transport history is woven into the fabric of London itself, and seeing these vehicles up close brings that history to life in a way that genuinely thrills children and adults alike.
The Iconic Vehicles You’ll Get to See
This is the part the kids will absolutely love! The London Transport Museum vehicles on display at the Depot are the real deal, and some of them are genuinely legendary.
Historic Tube Trains
You’ll be able to climb aboard two incredible historic trains that shaped the Underground as we know it today:
- 1927 Standard Stock – one of the earliest examples of the classic Tube train design, this carriage gives you a proper feel for what it was like to travel underground in the Jazz Age
- 1938 Stock – a design icon that served Londoners for decades, with its distinctive rounded nose and cream and red livery
Getting inside these trains is a proper wow moment, especially for young children who are used to the modern Elizabeth line experience!
The Legendary Routemaster Buses
The Routemaster is arguably the most famous bus in the world, and 2026 marks its 70th anniversary. At the “Icons of London” event, families can get up close to two of the most significant vehicles in the entire collection:
- RM1 – the very first production Routemaster, a piece of living history
- RM2 – its equally pioneering sibling, which helped define the look of London for generations
Fun fact: The Routemaster entered service in 1956 and became so synonymous with London that it remained in regular service on some routes until 2005, almost 50 years later!
The Wider Collection
Beyond the headline vehicles, the Depot is packed with transport treasures from across London’s 200-year history. Expect to discover:
| What You’ll Find | Why It’s Amazing |
|---|---|
| Rare signalling equipment | Live demonstrations show how the network was controlled |
| Historic maps and artwork | Including the world-famous Harry Beck Underground map |
| Station architecture pieces | Fragments of London’s transport past you won’t see anywhere else |
| Ticket machines and ephemera | Kids can try out vintage ticket machines at the handling trolley |
| Models and miniatures | Detailed scale models of vehicles and infrastructure |
What’s On: Talks, Activities and Family Fun
The London Transport Museum Depot open days are so much more than a vehicle display. The full programme is packed with things to do across all four days of the April event, making it brilliant value for families.
Expert Talks (Selected Days and Times)
The talk programme for the “Icons of London” event is genuinely fascinating, with sessions covering some of the most exciting stories in London’s history:
- Icons of London: Art on the Underground with curator Jessie Krish. Explore how landmark artworks shaped the visual identity of the Tube, marking the launch of a brand new Art Map. (Thursday)
- Building an Icon: The Thames Tunnel with the Brunel Museum’s Helen Bannigan. Discover the story behind one of the greatest engineering feats of the Victorian era.
- Bakerloo Line Storytelling Adventure with storyteller Olivia Armstrong. An interactive journey along the Bakerloo Line to celebrate its 120th birthday, perfect for families! (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Hands-On Heritage Demonstrations
Running across all four days, these activities are where the kids really get stuck in:
- Try out historic ticket machines and handle genuine tickets from the Museum’s collection at the object handling trolley
- Watch live demonstrations of the Museum’s heritage train signalling equipment
- Learn more about supporting London’s transport heritage at the London Transport Museum Friends desk
Easter Activities at the Main Museum
Can’t make it to the Depot, or want to extend the fun? Over Easter (28 March to 12 April), the main London Transport Museum in Covent Garden is running a brilliant programme inspired by Montague Black’s 1926 poster “London 2026 AD this is all in the air.” Kids can:
- Build futuristic vehicles from recycled materials
- Design a skyline for London in 2126
- Meet a time-travelling Montague Black to learn the story behind his famous artwork
It’s a popular destination for a reason! The combination of the Depot open days and the Easter programme at the main museum makes April 2026 a genuinely unmissable time to visit.
Tickets, Prices and How to Book
One of the best things about the Depot open days is that they’re genuinely affordable for families. Here’s everything you need to know before you book:
Pricing
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £19.00 |
| Child | £10.00 |
| Under 3s | Free |
| Local resident concession | Available for Ealing and Hounslow residents |
How to Book
Tickets must be booked in advance online. You can book your London Transport Museum tickets through Day Out With The Kids for the best prices, with fast and secure payment and mobile-friendly e-tickets so you don’t need to print anything out.
Don’t leave it too late! The Depot open days are only available on a handful of dates per year and they do sell out. The April event in particular falls over the Easter school holidays, so demand will be high.
Getting There
The Depot is located in Acton Town, west London. Here’s how to get there:
- By Tube: Acton Town station is on the District and Piccadilly lines, making it very easy to reach from central London
- By bus: Several bus routes serve the Acton Town area
- By car: Parking is available nearby, though we’d always recommend the Tube for a London day out!
Top tip: Combine your Depot visit with a trip to the main London Transport Museum in Covent Garden for the ultimate transport-themed day out. The main museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, and under-17s go free!
Why the 2026 Anniversaries Make This Year Extra Special
The “Icons of London” theme isn’t just a catchy name. The 2026 milestones being celebrated are genuinely significant moments in London’s history, and they give the whole event a real sense of occasion.
120 Years of the Bakerloo Line
The Bakerloo line opened in 1906, originally running between Baker Street and Lambeth North. It was one of the earliest deep-level Tube lines in the world, and its distinctive brown colour on the Harry Beck Underground map has become iconic. The Depot celebrations include a dedicated storytelling adventure that brings the line’s 120-year history to life for younger visitors.
120 Years of the Piccadilly Line
Also celebrating its 120th birthday in 2026, the Piccadilly line opened in December 1906 and now stretches from Cockfosters in the north all the way to Heathrow Airport in the west. It’s one of the busiest lines on the network and carries millions of passengers every year. Seeing the historic vehicles that once ran on these lines is a wonderful way to appreciate how far London’s transport has come.
70 Years of the Routemaster Bus
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant anniversary of all. The Routemaster entered service in 1956 and became the defining image of London for the rest of the 20th century. Its open rear platform, hop-on-hop-off design, and brilliant red livery made it a cultural icon recognised around the world.
The real story behind the Routemaster: It wasn’t just beautiful. It was revolutionary. The Routemaster was designed with an aluminium body to save weight, independent front suspension for a smoother ride, and a fully automatic gearbox. For 1956, this was cutting-edge engineering. Getting up close to RM1 and RM2 at the Depot is a chance to see that engineering genius in person.
“Discover how London’s transport has shaped the city over the past 200 years, from the iconic roundel and Harry Beck’s pioneering Underground map to famous red buses and black cabs.” – London Transport Museum
Our Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely, yes! The London Transport Museum Depot open days are one of those genuinely rare events where the reality lives up to the hype.
For families, the combination of iconic vehicles, hands-on activities, expert talks, and the sheer scale of the Depot collection makes for a day out that’s educational without ever feeling like a school trip. Children who love trains and buses will be in their element, but even kids who don’t consider themselves transport fans tend to be completely captivated by the sheer history on display.
The bottom line: At £19 for adults and £10 for children, with under-3s going free, the Depot open days represent excellent value for a London day out. The April “Icons of London” event is timed perfectly for the Easter school holidays, and the triple anniversary celebrations make 2026 a particularly special year to visit.
Don’t miss out! Book your London Transport Museum tickets in advance to secure your place at one of London’s most exciting family events of the year. Dates in July and September are also available if April doesn’t work for you.