FAQs

How do I get to the museum from the Elephant and Castle tube?

Make sure you leave the tube station by the Northern Line exit. Once outside, turn left and walk around the shopping centre, keeping it on your left. You should find yourself on Walworth Road. Walk under the railway bridge and continue straight across the road junction. The Cuming Museum is a couple of minutes further on your left, inside Old Walworth Town Hall on the corner of Wansey Street. We are on the ground floor. It is a five to ten minute walk from the tube station.

What is there for children to do at the museum?

There are lots of activities which include craft activities, trails, games and costumes to try on. The museum usually runs free workshops for children and families during school holidays. See our free Museum events page for more information.

What is there to see at the museum?

The museum is divided into three sections. The first gallery tells the story of the Cuming family and their collection and also includes collections such as the Lovett collection of charms and superstitions and the Billy and Charlie fakes and forgeries. The second gallery focuses on the history of Southwark and is split into three areas, settling here, a place to visit and world connections. The Southwark gallery looks at the people who have lived and worked here from Roman times to today. The third gallery in the museum is the temporary exhibition gallery. Our exhibitions change every four to six months. See our permanent exhibitions and temporary exhibition pages for more information.

What activities are there in the school holidays?  

We usually run free craft or science activities for children during the school holidays, see our free Museum events page for more information.  

How do I arrange a visit to see some of the collection which isn't on display?

You will need to contact the museum officers on 020 7525 2332. Visits need to be arranged at least two weeks in advance to give time for us to prepare objects and book space for your visit. You can view more of our collection online.

How do I arrange to bring my primary school class for a visit?

Since the Cuming Museum relocated to the ground floor of the Old Town Hall at 151 Walworth Road earlier this year, we have unfortunately not been able to offer our stand alone hands on education sessions at our new venue. To find out what sessions are on offer see the education sessions for primary school page.

We hope to offer these hands on education sessions aimed at key stage one and key Stage two children at our new and fully accessible location once we have completed our dedicated education room later this year. We hope this facility will be completed in November 2008. Meanwhile school groups can visit the museum to enjoy our new galleries with trails, activities, costumes and games. We can accommodate school groups of up to 30 for either morning or afternoon visits of around one and a half hours on Tuesdays to Fridays at either 10am or 1.30pm. To book a class visit ring the Cuming Museum.

Does the museum provide talks or lectures for adult groups?

Yes, the museum is fairly flexible in what we can provide. Our talks are usually based on some aspect of the museum collection. Talks can be arranged free of charge although we do require transport expenses to be covered if we are providing a talk at another venue. Refreshments can be provided at the museum for a small fee. For talks on local history topics please contact the Local History Library. We also offer a session for ESOL groups looking at the history of Southwark. To find out more see the adult education page.

Is the museum accessible to wheelchair users?

Yes, the museum is located on the ground floor and there is ramp access from the One Stop Shop entrance on Wansey Street. There is a disabled toilet. See our access information page for more information.

What are the opening hours?

The museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am to 5pm. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Bank Holidays.

Contact us

The Cuming Museum
Tel: 020 7525 2332
Fax: 020 7525 2345
cuming.museum@southwark.gov.uk
Old Walworth Town Hall
151 Walworth Road
London
SE17 1RY