If you’re a postcard and snail mail lover like me, then you’ll understand why I had to visit the Postal Museum in London.
I first saw it from a fellow postcard enthusiast who shared her adventure riding the Mail Rail. That tiny underground train that once transported mail across the city instantly got me curious.
How does it work? What does it look like down there? Can you really ride it?
Spoiler alert: Yes, you can! The idea of hopping into a carriage once designed for letters and parcels is a real experience.
Explore the underground tunnels where mail used to travel.
So, along with my sister and niece, we decided to check it out. We had such a fun and fascinating experience that I just had to share it with you.
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Why Visit the Postal Museum in London
The Postal Museum is one of those places that surprises you. It is tucked away near Mount Pleasant and is not one of the big-name attractions in London. That is what makes it so special. It feels like a secret waiting to be discovered.
This museum is perfect for families, history lovers, curious kids, kids at heart and especially people like me who have a soft spot for postcards and letters.
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The main attraction is the Mail Rail.
If you are looking for a unique London experience or just want something different from the usual museums, the Postal Museum is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
While many museums in London are free, the Postal Museum has a fee of £18.50 for adults. Tickets are non-refundable but if the museum is unexpectedly closed, you will receive credit toward a future visit.
Please note: Ticket prices may change, so be sure to check the official website for the latest information before you go.
Even though it is geared towards children, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Seeing Harlie explore and interact with the exhibits made me smile, and I genuinely learned a lot myself.
📮 If you are planning your own trip, be sure to read my complete guide to the Postal Museum here. It covers everything from how to get there to hours, ticket tips, and nearby attractions.
First Impressions
We arrived at the Mail Rail building about 15 minutes after our scheduled entry. I was a little anxious, thinking we had missed our slot but the staff was kind and accommodating. They told us it was no problem and directed us one floor down to the Mail Rail platform.
🕰️ Please arrive on time. We were lucky it was not a busy day, which is likely why we were still able to join our ride slot without any issues.
The queue was short and we were able to board the train quickly.
It was a smooth and welcoming start to the visit.
Our Favourite Parts of the Visit
The Mail Rail Ride
This was the part I was most excited about, and it did not disappoint.
The Mail Rail is a fifteen-minute ride through narrow tunnels beneath the Mount Pleasant sorting office. The carriages are very small because they were originally built to carry mail bags, not passengers.
My sister, niece, and I squeezed into one together. Too be honest, it felt a bit tight and claustrophobic.
Bags are not allowed inside but there are lockers provided free of charge before you board.
As the train rolled through the tunnel, we passed old platforms and watched projected videos on the tunnel walls. These projections told the story of the Mail Rail and its role in keeping London connected for more than 75 years.
One part of the ride simulates a power outage where the train stops and everything goes dark for a few seconds. It gave Harlie a bit of a scare but we reassured her it was all part of the experience.
Can I still enjoy the Mail Rail experience if I do not want to ride the train?
Yes! If you are not comfortable riding the Mail Rail or have accessibility needs, there is a designated area with a screen where you can watch the same video presentation shown during the ride.
My favourite moment during the ride was a short scene showing a little girl carrying a letter. The animation brought the entire process of mailing and sorting to life. It reminded me why I love sending postcards so much as every piece of mail has a journey and a story.
The Travelling Post Office
After our ride, we headed straight into one of the most fun exhibits in the Mail Rail building, the Travelling Post Office. This is a hands-on replica of a mail-sorting train carriage. Kids can dress up in postal worker outfits, sort letters into slots and feel what it was like to work on a moving train.
Harlie gamely sorted her mock mail and placed as many letters as she could into their designated slots before the train came to a stop. The exhibit rocked gently from side to side to simulate a moving train which made it all the more exciting.
This activity was both fun and educational.
It gave us a peek into the lives of the people who sorted letters while traveling across the country.
It is also a great way for kids to learn through play.
The Postal Museum Exhibits
We then walked over to the second building which houses the main museum exhibits. I did not know what to expect beyond a few old stamps and post boxes but I was pleasantly surprised.
The space is bright, interactive and very thoughtfully designed. Here are some of the things that stood out:
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Scavenger Hunt and Activity Book
At the entrance, children are given an activity book. Inside are scavenger hunt prompts that guide them to find specific stamps, symbols or fun facts hidden around the museum.
There are flaps in the walls you can lift, tiny compartments to open and lots of things to spot. We helped Harlie track down all the clues and honestly we had a blast doing it with her.
Post Boxes Through the Ages
One of the first things we noticed are British post boxes from different periods. Some were red and cylindrical, while others were painted in various colours depending on the era in which they were built.
My sister and I were intrigued by the initials on the front of each box. These initials represent the monarch reigning at the time the box was installed, from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.
Historic Uniforms and Mail Vehicles
The museum also shows a collection of historic uniforms worn by postmen and postwomen throughout the centuries. You will see the evolution of clothing, badges, and accessories. There are also full-size postal vehicles on display including a red delivery van and a bicycle used for delivering mail.
Each vehicle and uniform tells a story and reminds us that behind every letter was someone who delivered it in all weather conditions often with little recognition.
The Pneumatic Tube System
One of the most fun surprises was the working pneumatic tube system. You can write a message on a slip of paper, place it inside a clear plastic capsule, and insert it into the tube. With a satisfying whoosh, it disappears into the ceiling and pops out at another station.
We have done it twice (one on each end) because it was just so fun to watch.
Design Your Own Stamp
There is a station where you can create your very own postage stamp. You can add accessories, choose colours to personalize the design.
Once you are done you can send your custom stamp to your email so you can save or print it later. It is such a fun souvenir for both kids and adults.
Sorted! Play Area
To finish off our visit, we headed to the Sorted! play space. This is a dedicated area where kids can pretend to be postal workers in a mini postal town. They can push trollies, sort parcels, deliver packages to little doors and work behind mini counters.
It is completely worth it if you are visiting with little ones.
Is Sorted! included in the museum ticket?
No, entry to Sorted! is not included in the main museum ticket. It requires a separate ticket priced at £4.50 per child. Each play session lasts 45 minutes and is designed for children aged 8 and under.
What Could Be Improved
There is one small thing I wish had been different. I wanted to send postcards from the museum and looked for stamps. While they sell lovely postcards in both buildings, only the main museum had stamps and only for international mail. The Mail Rail building had none, and there were no UK domestic stamps available during our visit.
I’m not sure if they had simply run out that day or if domestic stamps are not usually offered.
It felt like a missed opportunity. A postal-themed museum should offer a full variety of stamps especially for those of us who love mailing a card as a souvenir.
We did not try the café, so I cannot comment on the food but everything else was thoughtfully curated and clean.
Is the Postal Museum Worth It?
Yes! I would recommend this museum to families, postcard and snail mail fans, kids at heart and curious kids who love hands-on learning.
It is fun, informative, and refreshingly different from your typical London museum visit. The exhibits are immersive and creative and the Mail Rail ride alone is worth the visit.
If I had to rate it, I would give it five out of five stars.
Bonus Tips for Your Visit
🎟️ Book your Mail Rail tickets in advance not only to secure your preferred time slot but also to save up to £1 per ticket when you book directly on the official Postal Museum website
🚂 Visit the Mail Rail building first, then make your way to the main museum exhibits.
🛝Set aside at least two to three hours so you can take your time, explore every corner and let the kids enjoy Sorted! without rushing.
💌 Bring UK postage stamps if you plan to send postcards from there just in case.
🛍️ And do not miss the gift shop, I picked up several cute postcards to add to my collection.
You can also read my detailed Postal Museum guide here for everything you need to plan your visit.
Final Thoughts
Our visit to the Postal Museum was so much fun! As someone who loves postcards, stamps, and all things snail mail, this museum felt like it was made for people like me.
From the underground tunnels to the Travelling Post Office and the pneumatic tubes, every moment sparked joy. It made me appreciate the power of a handwritten letter and the journey it takes to get to someone’s hands.
If you are traveling with kids, visiting solo, or simply looking for something unique and heartwarming to do in London, I cannot recommend this place enough.
And if you would like to receive a postcard from my travels, including places like the Postal Museum, feel free to visit my Ko-fi page and join me there.
Until the next adventure,
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Looking for More Inspiration?
If you enjoyed this Postal Museum review, here are more helpful guides to explore, from planning your London itinerary to writing the perfect postcard.
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