Museum of Brands

Martha Martins
Nov 28, 2022 By Martha Martins
Originally Published on Oct 07, 2021
Different brands displayed at Museum of Brands.
Age: 6+
Read time: 3.8 Min

  • Travel through time with the Museum of Brands' display of advertising and product design throughout the years.
  • Check out the interesting temporary exhibitions that feature themes such as activism in brands, the presence of advertising in our culture and more.
  • Take part in some of the unique workshops with activities based on marketing, social implications of business and brand evolution. These are perfect for older kids and teenagers with an interest in entrepreneurship and the wider world.
  • Attend one of the talks or master classes held at the museum with guest speakers that have experience in the world of business and marketing.

If you're looking to make a family visit to somewhere that's slightly out of the ordinary, then the Museum of Brands is the place for you! Originated in 1963 by commercial historian Robert Opie, this weird museum in London is charming and also educational. A combination of interesting temporary exhibitions, the permanent display and several compelling workshops that cater to people of all ages is what will make this museum in London a new family favourite destination.

This design museum has a collection like no other. Focusing on brands, packaging and advertising, they have a collection of over 12,000 objects from across time. Their objective is to appreciate art in commercialism and explore how advertising has shaped the world into how we know it today. From vintage packaging to figuring out how to sell to Generation Z, there are so many things to see and discuss here. 

Take a trip down memory lane with the Museum of Brands' Time Tunnel. Here there are hundreds of items collected from supermarkets over the last 200 years. From crisps to style magazines and everything in between, you can see the development of humankind in the last two centuries through this marketing display. Kids and adults will enjoy seeing products they recognise through the glass, evoking memories of a different time and learning about the effects advertising has on people. Whether you have an interest in product design, marketing and business or not, this exhibition is sure to entertain everyone in the whole family.

Along with the Time Tunnel, the Museum of Brands always has something fresh and exciting going on. The temporary exhibitions usually take a different stance on looking at how brands have affected our culture and how prominent advertising is in our lives. The themes of these compelling displays have included "When Brands Take a Stand", looking at activism in corporate culture, and "Experimental Retail", which covered just how far brands were willing to take it to sell, and many more! There is more to branding than a pretty package. 

If you want to learn more about consumer culture, why not book a seat in one of the Museum of Brands' hands-on workshops? There are some great classes suited to older children that cover subjects like marketing, the effect of gender in advertising, sustainability in business and more. There are also resources for younger kids with worksheets available to download from the website for children going through different Key Stages. Nurture your children's interest in business with these amazing facilities.

Events and talks are regularly held at the Museum of Brands for the public to participate. With specialist lectures and fascinating guest speakers, there is always more to learn and discover in this particular field. Some of the subjects of the talks include sustainable fashion, marketing to different generations, discussing how we assign value to objects and much more. Whether you're thinking of starting a business yourself or you have an interest in these topics, an afternoon at one of these master-classes will make for a brilliant educational and fun London experience. 

What to know before you go

  • The Museum of Brands is located in Kensington, London and is open Monday to Saturday from 10am - 6pm and Sunday from 10am - 5pm.
  • There is an on-site café that sells sandwiches, coffee and other refreshments to visitors.
  • There is a gift shop found inside the museum where visitors can purchase unique scrapbooks and other retro-inspired souvenirs.
  • There is free access to the open courtyard garden out the back entrance of the museum for all visitors to enjoy.
  • There are toilets, including wheelchair-accessible toilets, and baby changing facilities available for visitors inside the museum.
  • The museum is entirely wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

  • The closest Tube Station is Ladbroke Grove; just a three minute walk away from the museum.
  • The following bus routes stop at Ladbroke Grove Station; 7, 23, 52, 70, 228 and 452.
  • In terms of parking, there is a limited amount of spaces for blue badge holders onsite. Non-disabled visitors are requested to find parking in the streets nearby, which can be difficult as it's a residential area.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Martha Martins

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha Martins picture

Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.

Read full bio >