The Postal Museum in London, which opened only nine years ago, has been shortlisted for the UK's best family-friendly museum award. The independent attraction, showcasing 500 years of British postal history, is best known for its 'Mail Rail' — a miniature underground train originally designed to transport mail beneath London streets, which has become an online sensation.
Shortlisting and Award Criteria
The annual award, run by the charity Kids in Museums, celebrates the most welcoming, fun, and accessible cultural sites for all ages. Following a vote by children, young people, and accessibility experts, The Postal Museum made the shortlist. 'Undercover families' will visit each location over the summer to determine the winner, expected to be announced in October. This year's criteria require museums, galleries, castles, historic homes, and heritage sites to have found 'imaginative, practical ways to make family visits easy and fun,' according to the charity.
Family-Friendly Features
The museum in Clerkenwell has become a cult favorite among parents, earning an impressive 4.6-star average rating from 5,686 Google reviews. One of the most popular activities is the dedicated soft play area called 'Sorted! The Postal Play Space.' TikToker @TinyLondoner described it as 'an interactive mini town where kids can drive vans, sort parcels, and role-play as postal workers,' praising it as 'hands-on, engaging, and perfect for imaginative play.' A major bonus is that the soft play area does not require a museum ticket. Tickets cost £2.50 for adult entry and £4.50 for children aged one to eight, while under-1s enter free.
Another highlight is 'The Jolly Postman,' a story-led interactive experience inspired by the classic children's book. @TinyLondoner called it a 'calmer space' that helps children wind down between play. The museum also hosts special family-focused events, such as 45-minute 'Family Storytelling' sessions with props, rhymes, and hands-on magic moments, held each Thursday in August on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visiting Information
Adult entry to the museum costs £18.50, children's tickets are £11.00, and children under two enter free. The museum recommends allowing two to three hours for a visit. Located less than a mile from King's Cross St Pancras, Farringdon, and Russell Square, visitors should head to the Mail Rail entrance across the road from the museum. The Mail Rail ride takes about 15 minutes. A café on-site offers snacks, brunch, an all-day menu, and drinks. The museum prides itself on accessibility, with step-free access via ramps or lifts across both sites. However, visitors with claustrophobia are advised to avoid the Mail Rail, as some guests have found it 'rather overwhelming' and 'stuffy,' according to online reviews.
Other Shortlisted Museums
The Postal Museum is shortlisted in the Best Accessible Museum category alongside Brampton Museum in Staffordshire, Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology, and Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland. Other categories include Best Small Museum, Best Medium Museum, Best Large Museum, and Best Museum Careers Initiative, with winners to be announced in October.
