British Optical Association Museum
Museums & Science Centres · Westminster, Inner London
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🏠 IndoorEducational
Facilities
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The British Optical Association Museum sits inside The College of Optometrists' historic headquarters in central London and presents a collection of more than 28,000 objects linked to eye care. Visitors can see antique spectacles, sunglasses, monocles, opera glasses and early sight-testing equipment, along with historic books, prints and advertising. Some displays include models of eye disease, which may appeal to older children with an interest in science and medicine. Visits are by guided tour only and must be booked in advance on weekdays. The standard tour is short and suits anyone, with children under 16 needing an adult; a longer tour also takes in other rooms of the building. Families interested in history, design or fashion will find plenty to talk about, though it is a specialist museum rather than a hands-on attraction for younger children.
Stuff to take with you
The things people wish they’d packed for a day out like this one.
- Refillable water bottleMost places will fill it for free.
- Snacks that survive a rucksackCheaper than the café, and buys you twenty minutes.
- Wet wipes
- Small first aid kitPlasters solve more days out than anything else here.
- Audiobook or story CD
- Travel games
- Sick bagsYou only forget these once.
- Tissues
- Kids' headphones
- Bum bag
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