All music museums to visit in England

Celebrate the universal language of music at 68 museums in England dedicated to musical heritage. These museums explore the history of music, instruments, and influential musicians.

Are you passionate about music and its history? Here are the top music museums in England:

  1. Mendips1

    Mendips

     Liverpool
    Mendips is the childhood home of Beatles' singer and songwriter John Lennon. The house is a fine example of 1950s semi-detached housing. Visitors to Mendips can still see the house and garden as it was when John Lennon lived here and the house still feels like a real home. The house is now Grade II
  2. Mary Arden's Farm2

    Mary Arden's Farm

     Wilmcote
    Mary Arden's Farm is a museum in Stratford-upon-Avon. The museum features exhibits related to: decorative and applied art, social history, music, natural sciences and land transport.
  3. Cambridge University Botanic Garden3

    Cambridge University Botanic Garden

     Cambridge
    The Cambridge University Botanic Garden, one of the most significant botanical gardens in the UK, is conveniently located between Hills Road and Trumpington Road. This prime location makes it easily accessible for tourists and locals alike. The garden is a hub of botanical diversity, showcasing around 8,000 species across its 16-hectare area.
  4. 20 Forthlin Road4

    20 Forthlin Road

     Liverpool
    20 Forthlin Road in Liverpool is a significant location in the history of British rock music. This is the house where Paul McCartney, renowned singer and songwriter of the legendary band The Beatles, resided with his family from 1955 to 1963. The house is situated in the Allerton district in the south of Liverpool. It is a part of the city's social housing project and is now maintained by the National Trust.
  5. Strawberry Field5

    Strawberry Field

     Liverpool
    Strawberry Field gained global recognition after the Beatles released their 1967 single 'Strawberry Fields Forever'. The song was written by John Lennon, who grew up in the vicinity and spent his childhood playing in the grounds of the home. This connection to one of the world's most famous bands has made Strawberry Field a significant site for Beatles fans worldwide.
  6. Old Royal Naval College6

    Old Royal Naval College

     London
    KIDS GO FREE! Discover the Painted Hall, one of the most iconic sights in London, located at the heart of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. An awe-inspiring artwork covering more than 3,700m walls and ceiling recounting tales of kings and queens alongside mythological, historical,
  7. Polesden Lacey7

    Polesden Lacey

     Great Bookham
    Set within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just outside Dorking, Polesden Lacey was the weekend party house of incomparable socialite Margaret Greville from 1909 until 1942. Discover collections of Fabergé, mailoica and Dutch Old Masters in the house; wander the fomal gardens
  8. Milton Keynes Museum8

    Milton Keynes Museum

     Wolverton
    The Milton Keynes Museum is a local independent museum located in the parish of Wolverton and Greenleys in Milton Keynes, England. The museum is primarily operated by volunteers, supplemented by a small team of paid staff. This unique blend of passionate volunteers and professional staff ensures a warm and informative experience for all visitors.
  9. Cusworth Hall Museum and Park9

    Cusworth Hall Museum and Park

     Doncaster
    Cusworth Hall Museum and Park is a museum in Doncaster. The museum features exhibits related to: costume and textiles, science and technology, music, archives, social history, medicine, land transport and personalities.
  10. 10

    British Music Experience

     Liverpool
    The British Music Experience is a permanent exhibition located in the Cunard Building on Liverpool's waterfront. This museum offers a retrospective look at the British music industry since 1944, providing a unique insight into the evolution of popular music in the UK. The exhibition is divided into galleries that effectively provide a timeline of the history of British popular music from 1945 to the present.
  11. The Foundling Museum11

    The Foundling Museum

     London
    The Foundling Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, the first home for abandoned children established in Britain. The institution was opened in 1739 by the philanthropist Thomas Coram. The collection the museum holds includes paintings and sculptures by well-known British 18th-century ar
  12. Herschel Museum of Astronomy12

    Herschel Museum of Astronomy

     Bath
    The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is a quaint establishment located in Bath, England. It is dedicated to the life and work of the German-born British astronomer and musician, William Herschel, and his sister, Caroline Herschel. The museum offers a unique insight into the lives of these two remarkable individuals and their contributions to astronomy and music.
  13. Grosvenor Museum13

    Grosvenor Museum

     Chester
    The Grosvenor Museum houses a diverse collection of exhibits. These include archaeological artefacts from the Roman era, a variety of paintings and musical instruments, and a room designed to replicate a Victorian parlour, providing a glimpse into the past.
  14. The Musical Museum14

    The Musical Museum

     Brentford
    The Musical Museum contains one of the world's foremost collections of self-playing musical instruments. From the tiniest of clockwork music boxes to the 'Mighty Wurlitzer' the collection embraces a comphrehensive array of sophisticated reproducing pianos, orchestrions, orchestrelles, residence orga
  15. Bradford Industrial Museum15

    Bradford Industrial Museum

     Bradford
    The Bradford Industrial Museum, located in Moorside Mills, Eccleshill, Bradford, United Kingdom, was established in 1974. This museum specializes in the preservation and demonstration of local industrial relics, particularly those related to printing and textile machinery.
  16. Leeds City Museum16

    Leeds City Museum

     Leeds
    The Leeds City Museum, which was first established in 1819, reopened its doors in 2008. It is located in the former Mechanics' Institute, a building designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and situated in what is now known as Millennium Square in Cookridge Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.
  17. 17

    Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery

     Carlisle
    The Tullie House Museum is currently undergoing redevelopment and is closed to the public. However, it is set to re-open in the summer of 2024. Upon reopening, visitors will be welcomed through a new main entrance located on Castle Street. This redevelopment aims to enhance the visitor experience and make the museum more accessible.
  18. Norton Priory Museum & Gardens18

    Norton Priory Museum & Gardens

     Runcorn
    Norton Priory is a significant historical site located in the town of Runcorn, in Cheshire, United Kingdom. The site is home to the ruins of a 12th-century abbey and an 18th-century manor house, which now functions as a museum. Visitors can explore the rich history of the site, from its origins as a religious institution to its transformation into a grand manor house.
  19. Hatchlands Park19

    Hatchlands Park

     East Clandon
    Hatchlands Park is a red-brick country house located in East Clandon, Surrey, England. The property spans an impressive 170 hectares (430 acres), providing ample space for visitors to explore and enjoy. The house is surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens, offering a tranquil setting for a leisurely stroll or picnic.
  20. Victoria Baths20

    Victoria Baths

     Manchester
    Victoria Baths is a museum in Manchester. The museum features exhibits related to Architecture, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Archives, Sport, Social History, Film and Media, Music and Performing Arts.
  21. Handel & Hendrix in London21

    Handel & Hendrix in London

     London
    The Fine Art Society is a renowned gallery with locations in both London and Edinburgh's New Town. Established in 1876, the gallery has a rich history and has been a significant player in the art world for over a century. It has been home to many notable exhibitions and has a focus on British art and design from 1600 to the present day. The Edinburgh branch specializes in Scottish art from the same period.
  22. Elgar Birthplace Museum22

    Elgar Birthplace Museum

     Upper Broadheath
    Elgar Birthplace Museum is a museum in Lower Broadheath. The museum features exhibits related to: music, personalities and archives.
  23. Helston Museum23

    Helston Museum

     Helston
    Helston Museum is a museum in Helston. The museum features exhibits related to: archives, maritime, world cultures, weapons and war, costume and textiles, coins and medals, personalities, land transport, natural sciences, social history, music and archaeology.
  24. Fenton House and Garden24

    Fenton House and Garden

     London
    Fenton House is a 17th-century merchant's house. The house was bought by Lady Binning in 1936. She filled it with her decorative collections of porcelain, Georgian furniture and 17th-century needlework. In addition to this, the museum houses the Benton Fletcher collection of early keyboard instrumen
  25. Brampton Museum25

    Brampton Museum

     Newcastle-under-Lyme
    Brampton Museum is a museum in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The museum features exhibits related to: weapons and war, natural sciences, medicine, world cultures, fine art, music, archaeology, coins and medals, science and technology, social history, decorative and applied art, costume and textiles and arch
  26. The Whitaker26

    The Whitaker

     Rawtenstall
    The Whitaker is a museum in Rossendale. The museum features exhibits related to: archaeology, decorative and applied art, archives, music, social history, science and technology, coins and medals, fine art and costume and textiles.
  27. Holst Victorian House27

    Holst Victorian House

     Cheltenham
    Explore life in Cheltenham’s only Victorian home open to all, the birthplace of composer Gustav Holst. In Holst Victorian House you can explore the lives of some of the inhabitants both in Victorian and more modern times. The house is a time capsule of 19th century life with a working Victorian kit
  28. Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum28

    Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

     Morpeth
    The Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, situated in Morpeth, Northumberland, England, is a unique institution dedicated to the preservation and display of historic bagpipes. Established in 1987, the museum is home to a vast collection of these traditional musical instruments, offering visitors a deep dive into the rich history and cultural significance of bagpipes.
  29. Nottingham Lakeside Arts29

    Nottingham Lakeside Arts

     Nottingham
    Nottingham Lakeside Arts is a museum in Nottingham. The museum features exhibits related to: performing arts, social history, music, fine art, film and media, archives and decorative and applied art.
  30. Butcher Row Museum30

    Butcher Row Museum

     Ledbury
    Butcher Row House Museum features many items of local interest including reproduction helmets and breastplates that would have been worn in the Battle of Ledbury in 1645 and a small collection of musical instruments ranging from a ‘hurdy-gurdy’ to a Tibetan pipe fashioned from a thigh bone.
  31. Brunel Museum31

    Brunel Museum

     London
    The Brunel Museum is a museum in the Brunel Engine House that tells the story of one of the world’s great engineering dynasties. Brunel organised the world’s first underground concert party here in 1827, and the Museum celebrates and interprets music and theatre as well as engineering.
  32. Durham Museum32

    Durham Museum

     Durham
    Durham Castle, located in the city of Durham in Northern England, is a Norman castle that has been occupied by the University College of Durham University since 1840. The castle stands on a peninsula overlooking the River Wear, directly opposite Durham Cathedral. It was originally built in the 11th century as a symbol of the power of the Norman kings in Northern England.
  33. Ranger's House - The Wernher Collection33

    Ranger's House - The Wernher Collection

     London
    Ranger's House - The Wernher Collection is a museum in London. The museum features exhibits related to: music, decorative and applied art and fine art. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: francesco raibolini ‘il francia’, renaissance jewels and bronzes, meissen pottery figures, th
  34. Blandford Town Museum34

    Blandford Town Museum

     Blandford Forum
    Blandford Town Museum is a museum in Blandford Forum. The museum features exhibits related to: archives, coins and medals, costume and textiles, social history, land transport, weapons and war, archaeology, medicine, science and technology and music.
  35. Royal Academy of Music Museum35

    Royal Academy of Music Museum

     London
    Royal Academy of Music Museum is a museum in London. The museum features exhibits related to: personalities, performing arts, coins and medals, social history, archives, fine art and music. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: designated collection, english music prints, violin, pi
  36. The Norris Museum36

    The Norris Museum

     Saint Ives
    The Norris Museum is a museum in St Ives. The museum features exhibits related to Music, Social History, Medicine, Personalities, Weapons and War, Archaeology, Fine Art, Science and Technology, Decorative and Applied Art, World Cultures, Natural Sciences, Costume and Textiles, Land Transport, Archiv
  37. Vale and Downland Museum37

    Vale and Downland Museum

     Wantage
    The Vale and Downland Museum is a local history museum located in the market town of Wantage, Oxfordshire, England. It is situated in the 'Old Surgery' on Church Street, right in the heart of the town, opposite the Church of St Peter and St Paul. The museum is a significant cultural hub in the region, offering a deep dive into the local history and heritage of the Vale of White Horse region around Wantage.
  38. Royston and District Museum38

    Royston and District Museum

     Royston
    Royston and District Museum is a museum in Royston. The museum features exhibits related to: music, social history, archives, archaeology and fine art.
  39. Whitchurch Heritage Centre39

    Whitchurch Heritage Centre

     Whitchurch
    Whitchurch Heritage Centre is a museum in Whitchurch. The museum features exhibits related to Archaeology, Personalities, Decorative and Applied Art, Music, Social History, Fine Art and Archives. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include J.B. Joyce / Tower Clocks, Randolph Caldecott, Rom
  40. Ilkley Manor House40

    Ilkley Manor House

     Ilkley
    Ilkley Manor House, situated in the charming town of Ilkley in West Yorkshire, England, serves as a local heritage museum, an art gallery, and a live venue. The establishment of the Manor House in its current form dates back to 1961. It was created with the aim of preserving local archaeological artefacts, particularly those of Roman origin, which were at risk of being lost due to the expansion of the spa town.
  41. Greenwich Heritage Centre41

    Greenwich Heritage Centre

     London
    Greenwich Heritage Centre is a museum in London. The museum features exhibits related to: medicine, weapons and war, fine art, science and technology, coins and medals, costume and textiles, archaeology, archives, world cultures, natural sciences, social history, music, decorative and applied art an
  42. 42

    Georgian Theatre Royal Museum

     Richmond
  43. Rustington Museum43

    Rustington Museum

     Rustington
    Rustington Museum tells the story of the Village through stories and artefacts. It covers from the Stone Age to the present day and takes in an a WWI airfield, inter-war holiday camp and a famous composer's house. There are many famous people who have connections to the Village and their connections
  44. Manor House Museum44

    Manor House Museum

     Kettering
    Manor House Museum is a museum in Kettering. The museum features exhibits related to: world cultures, design, music, film and media, science and technology, agriculture, weapons and war, law and order, coins and medals, medicine, architecture, natural sciences, sport, toys and hobbies, performing ar
  45. Museum of Asian Music45

    Museum of Asian Music

     London
    The Museum of Asian Music offers an interactive way to discover the diversity of Asian music in a hands-on environment. Permanent exhibits of musical instruments from across the continent are accompanied by touch-screen displays featuring music and video clips, and digital access to an extensive AV
  46. Royal College of Music Museum46

    Royal College of Music Museum

     London
    The Royal College of Music Museum houses one of the richest and most relevant collections of music-related objects in the UK and Europe. Visit us to discover the oldest guitar in the world, and explore our fascinating displays of musical instruments, paintings and objects that cover more than five c
  47. Hexham Old Gaol47

    Hexham Old Gaol

     Hexham
    The Old Gaol, also known as the Manor Office, is a historic custodial building located in Hallgate, Hexham, Northumberland, England. Today, it operates as a museum and is recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it is of exceptional interest and is sometimes considered internationally important. The building's history and architectural significance make it a fascinating place to visit for those interested in history, architecture, or both.
  48. Queen's Hall Arts48

    Queen's Hall Arts

     Hexham
    The Old Gaol, alternatively known as the Manor Office, is a historical building located in Hallgate, Hexham, Northumberland, England. This Grade I listed building currently functions as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich history.
  49. The Heritage Hub at Aurora Bassetlaw49

    The Heritage Hub at Aurora Bassetlaw

     Worksop
    A place to celebrate Worksop’s people, places, objects and stories, with physical displays and a ‘Virtual Museum’. The Heritage Hub is in the heart of the Old Library and Museum building in Worksop. It was created to provide the people of Worksop with a place on their doorstep to participate in,
  50. Constantine Museum50

    Constantine Museum

     Falmouth
    From mining and quarrying, music and farming, bowling, and bands to cricket, art and religion, Constantine has a fascinating past.  The museum reflects the life and times of this vibrant community near the Helford River.
  51. Arundells51

    Arundells

     Salisbury
    Located within Salisbury’s magnificent Cathedral Close, the house is one of Salisbury’s most charming destinations. Arundells is the former home of Sir Edward Heath KG MBE, Prime Minister and Statesman. Sir Edward bequeathed Arundells to the Charitable Foundation set up in his name following his dea
  52. Dewa Roman Experience52

    Dewa Roman Experience

     Chester
    The Grosvenor Museum, located in Chester, Cheshire, in the United Kingdom, is a significant cultural institution. It is recognized in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II listed building, indicating its historical and architectural importance. The museum, which opened in 1886, houses a diverse collection of items, including archaeological artifacts from the Roman period, paintings, musical instruments, and a room arranged as a Victorian parlour.
  53. 53

    Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard

     Nottingham
    Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard is a museum in Nottingham. The museum features exhibits related to: social history, personalities, medicine, music, coins and medals, archaeology and archives.
  54. 54

    Bognor Regis Museum

     Bognor Regis
    Bognor Regis Museum is a museum in Bognor Regis. The museum features exhibits related to: music, archaeology, science and technology, toys and hobbies, social history, photography, archives and costume and textiles. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: richard hotham kt, mary wheat
  55. 55

    Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre

     Caistor
    Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre is a multi-faceted building comprising of a cafe, library, heritage display, art gallery and public access computers. The centre is buzzing with activities, workshops, music events and heritage and art exhibitions. The renovated Methodist Chapel is now at the heart o
  56. 56

    The Red House

     Aldeburgh
    The Red House is a museum in Aldeburgh. The museum features exhibits related to: personalities, music and architecture.
  57. 57

    Museum of Cambridge

     Cambridge
    The Museum of Cambridge, previously known as the Cambridge & County Folk Museum, is situated in the heart of Cambridge, England, on Castle Street. This central location makes it easily accessible for tourists and locals alike, offering a deep dive into the rich history and culture of Cambridge and its surrounding areas.
  58. 58

    Bate Collection of Musical Instruments

     Oxford
    The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments is located in the Music Faculty of the University of Oxford, near the iconic Christ Church on St Aldate's, Oxford. The collection is open to the public, making it a great destination for those interested in music and history. For those interested in academic studies, appointments can be made to access the collection.
  59. 59

    St Albans Organ Theatre

     Saint Albans
    St Albans Organ Theatre is a museum in St Albans. The museum features exhibits related to: music.
  60. 60

    Purbeck Stone Museum

     Langton Matravers
    Purbeck Stone Museum is a museum in Swanage. The museum features exhibits related to: music, weapons and war, science and technology, personalities, costume and textiles, coins and medals, natural sciences, social history, fine art, archaeology and archives.
  61. 61

    Crewkerne and District Museum

     Crewkerne
    The Crewkerne and District Museum is a quaint local museum located in the town of Crewkerne, in Somerset, England. It offers a unique insight into the local history and culture of the area, making it an interesting stop for those wanting to learn more about the region.
  62. 62

    Mechanical Music Museum and Bygones

     Stowmarket
    Come visit a magical world where music was made not with computers or digital information but by mechanical movement. Our collection is literally an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of musical items and memorabilia. Visitors enjoy tours of actual working mechanical music devices, fairground organs, café dance organ
  63. 63

    Thurrock Museum

     Grays
    Thurrock Museum is a museum in Grays. The museum features exhibits related to Social History, Maritime, Medicine, Fine Art, Music, Costume and Textiles, Archaeology, Coins and Medals, Science and Technology, Natural Sciences, Archives, Personalities, Weapons and War and Decorative and Applied Art.
  64. 64

    Northumberland Hussars Museum

     Newcastle upon Tyne
    Northumberland Hussars Museum is a museum in Newcastle & Gateshead. The museum features exhibits related to Archives, Music and Weapons and War.
  65. 65

    Fulneck Moravian Museum

     Leeds
    Fulneck Moravian Museum is a museum in Pudsey. The museum features exhibits related to Decorative and Applied Art, Social History, Music, Fine Art, Archives, Personalities, World Cultures and Costume and Textiles.
  66. 66

    Buckinghamshire Military Museum

     Buckingham
    The Buckingham Old Gaol, sometimes referred to as Lord Cobham’s Castle, is a significant historical site in Buckingham, England. Today, it serves as a museum, a shop, and a tourist information centre. It is conveniently located on Market Hill in the town centre, making it easily accessible for visitors.
  67. 67

    Victoria Jubilee Museum

     Cawthorne
    Victoria Jubilee Museum is a museum in Barnsley. The museum features exhibits related to Science and Technology, Medicine, Archives, Fine Art, Coins and Medals, Archaeology, Costume and Textiles, Social History, Decorative and Applied Art and Music.
  68. 68

    The Coventry Music Museum

     Coventry
    The Coventry Music Museum (CMM) is a multifaceted institution located on Walsgrave Road, Ball Hill, Coventry, England. It serves as a museum, art gallery, music records archive, and interactive media studio. This unique combination of functions makes it a distinctive destination for tourists interested in music, art, and history.