post office tour london

• Visit 100 Countries
• Visit 500 UNESCO Sites
• Landmarks of the World

Most visitors to London will travel on the tube, whether the larger sub-surface lines or the more cramped deep-level lines that give the system its tube nickname. But did you know there is an even smaller underground railway in London? One that was used purely for moving the mail. Mail Rail, as it was known, is no longer used by the Royal Mail but is now open as a tourist attraction as part of the Postal Museum.

Want to save this for later? Click the Pinterest button on the left for a pinnable image!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE POSTAL MUSEUM AND MAIL RAIL

The postal museum and Mail Rail are not co-located, so it’s important to know where you are heading in order to take your ride on the train, especially as these tickets are timed.

RELATED POSTS

Guide to visiting the london transport museum, guide to visiting the london eye, guide to visiting london’s churchill war rooms, guide to visiting london’s tower bridge, 8 great unesco sites to visit from london.

The Mail Rail: Discovering the Postal Museum’s Secret Mail Tunnel

By: Author Lauren Kendrick

Posted on 28th December 2022

Categories Arts + Culture

Scuttling beneath the streets of London is Clerkenwell’s historic Mail Rail. Once the postal service hub, it is now a unique, interactive ride 21 metres below ground. Here you can climb aboard the miniature train, explore the original tunnels and learn how the postal railway in London began. 

Words by Karen Olney

Now, what if we were to tell you that you can ride a labyrinth of tunnels in a train so small, you’d struggle to swing a cat? And along the way, you will learn everything there is to know about the history of the postal service?

Well, it’s actually a thing. And it’s brilliant.

Way before we could simply ping an email or ‘like’ a Facebook post, the Royal Mail was the social network for civilians. Built in 1927, this underground post office railway revolutionised how post was transported between sorting offices.

Lasting approximately 15 minutes, the Mail Rail at the Postal Museum is a fun and informative way of bringing the history of the postal service to life.

And after your ride, you can cross the road to see more exhibitions at the Postal Museum. 

Why Visit The Mail Rail?

To be fair, learning about the Post Office’s history might not be quite at the top of your bucket list.

But what we love about this experience is just how novel it is.

I mean, when do you ever get to whizz around London in a train so small you can’t scratch your armpits? (Ok, noted this is probably a daily occurrence for some commuters).

Squeeze yourself onboard and begin your journey at the maintenance depot. There isn’t much room, but lockers are nearby for your belongings. Then as the train departs, the glass roof offers a panoramic vision of the tunnels.

Throughout the ride, the train stops to show large projections on abandoned platforms, narrating the Mail Rail’s history through the ages.

Word of warning, though – this is not for those nervous in small spaces. 

After the train ride, you can discover the Mail Rail museum exhibition. There are many hands-on activities, making it great for kids too. Dress up as a train driver in the replica postmasters’ wardrobe or climb onboard an original train.

Bringing little ones? For an added fee, you can take the experience further in the Sorted! play area . This is a fantastic, imaginative play area featuring a mini town where kids can post letters, sort mail and let off some steam. It’s pretty adorable stuff.

Better yet, Mail Rail tickets are not too pricey, and you can easily spend half a day here. If you book online beforehand, adult tickets are £16 and child tickets are £9.

The History of The Mail Rail

Digging into the history of the Mail Rail is far more interesting than missing letters and delayed parcels. We learnt quite a few interesting facts along the way.

Postal Coaches were Targeted by Robbers and…. a Lion

Nowadays, postal workers may encounter the odd grumpy dog, but back then, moving mail on the roads wasn’t for the faint-hearted. Traditionally, drivers delivered mail on coaches and were prime targets for highwaymen.

And it wasn’t just robbers drivers had to avoid. On the Exeter-London route in 1816, a fearsome lion attacked a coach on Salisbury Plain. You can’t fault the postal workers for commitment, though – the mail arrived just 45 minutes late that evening.

The Mail Rail enabled postal workers safety from robbers and wild animals.

In the 1900s London Traffic Was Even Worse

Today, London’s traffic is a nightmare. But back then, it was even slower. In fact, one report, which prompted the construction of the Mail Rail, stated that the speed on London roads would never go above 10kmph.

In the early 1900s, London’s Central Mail Centre was one of the busiest mail centres in the world and needed a helping hand.

Cue the Mail Rail. 

Approved by Parliament, the construction of the post office underground railway began in 1915. It consisted of a network of narrow tunnels criss-crossing over 6 miles and linking six sorting offices with the two mainline stations, Paddington and Liverpool St.

The Mail Rail Was a World First

The London Mail Rail was hailed as the world’s first driverless, electric railway, carrying mail quickly across London.

At its peak, it transported four million letters a day for 22 hours a day. Operators controlled the trains by using a switchboard.

Construction Was Delayed by War

Construction wasn’t easy. The project began in 1915 and was completed on December 3 rd , 1927. 

There were several hiccups along the way. The Treasury paused construction during The First World War, and once it was over, the cost of materials rocketed, meaning work on the Mail Rail tunnels didn’t resume until 1923.

The tunnels still came in handy during wartime, though. They were used to protect art usually housed in the National Portrait Gallery, British Museum and the Tate Gallery.

Doors Officially Closed in 2003

As offices began to relocate to the suburbs and technology developed, the Postal Museum train became economically unviable and was mothballed in 2003.

However, the tunnels remained under light maintenance and opened to the public as a museum in 2017.

Our verdict? London’s post office railway is a stop worth boarding at.

The Mail Rail: Practical Information

Address: The Postal Museum, 15-20 Phoenix Place, London, WC1X 0DA

Opening Times: Wednesday- Sunday 10.00- 17.00

Mail Rail Tickets: Adult (25+) £17, Young Person (16- 24) £12, Child (3- 15) £10. Online discount available.

The Mail Rail: Map 

Read More Unique London Guides

• Unusual London Book
• London’s Old Operating Theatre
• Auto-Icon: Spotting Jeremy Bentham’s Head

Postal Museum: Tickets, Opening Hours, and Visitor Information

The London Postal Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history of communication. 

This unique museum is dedicated to the story of the world’s first social network, the postal service.

From the five-wheeled cycles to rockets and an escaped lioness, the Postal Museum is full of incredible tales.

This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Postal Museum in London.

Top Tickets # Postal Museum Tickets # London Pass It’s highly recommended to book your Postal Museum tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.

What’s ahead

What to expect at Postal Museum

When you visit the Postal Museum, you can delve into the history of communication, hear some crazy stories from mail carriers, and see vintage stamps and posters. 

You can also explore the museum’s underground Mail Rail, a 100-year-old underground network of tunnels that is now open to the public as a 15-minute miniature train ride. 

The Postal Museum also displays forgotten letters recovered from a shipwreck, so have your tissues handy.

Exhibitions

The Postal Museum offers a range of exhibitions that explore the history of the British Post, including Mail Rail, Postal Museum Galleries, and Voices from the Deep. 

The Mail Rail exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore the world’s first driverless electric railway system. 

Visitors can ride the miniature train and experience the life of a Mail Rail engineer. 

The Postal Museum Galleries feature interactive exhibits and displays that showcase the evolution of British posts, including stamps, uniforms, and vehicles. 

The Voices from the Deep exhibition explores the story of the ill-fated ocean liner RMS Titanic and the role of the post in the disaster.

The Postal Museum offers several facilities for visitors to enhance their experience. 

The museum’s café, located in the Welcome Space, serves snacks and refreshments to take a break from exploring. 

During your visit, you can use the WiFi for free. 

On the ground floor of The Postal Museum and Mail Rail, as well as the lower ground floor of Mail Rail, there are facilities for baby changing and Unisex toilets, as well as accessible toilets.

On the Mail Rail’s lower ground floor, there is a Changing Places restroom for the general public and visitors.

The museum is completely accessible to wheelchair users, with wheelchairs permitted everywhere on Mail Rail except for the Mail Rail Ride. 

The museum also has a Visual Story available to help plan your visit and understand the safety changes made.

Visitors must be able to transfer themselves in and out of the carriages unaided to use the rides. The museum is wheelchair accessible, but visitors must be able to walk unaided for a minimum of 100 meters (328 feet) on uneven surfaces with minimal lighting and up at least 70 steep steps.

Where to buy Postal Museum tickets

Tickets for the Postal Museum can be purchased online or in person at the museum’s box office. 

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

How do online tickets work

Visit the Postal Museum ticket booking page, select your desired date, time, and number of tickets, and complete the checkout process.

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket. 

You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.

Recommended

• Get the full guide to visiting the London Transport Museum
• Find out all the key information for your visit to Brooklands Museum
• Discover everything about the Royal Observatory Greenwich
• Plan your visit to the historic Cutty Sark

Postal Museum ticket prices

The Postal Museum tickets are priced at £16 for adults above 25 years and £11 for adults between 16 and 24 years old.

Tickets for children between three and 15 years are available at a discounted price of £9. Children under three can enter for free but must be accompanied by an adult (25+ years).

Postal Museum tickets

The Postal Museum ticket offers a fun and informative journey through five centuries of British postal history. 

Visitors can explore the historic mail rail and ride on the miniature trains used to transport mail beneath the streets of London.

All tickets include a ride on the Mail Rail underground train.

The ticket also includes access to interactive exhibits, galleries, and a collection of postal vehicles and equipment.

You can also upgrade to an annual ticket if you want to visit the museum more than once.

Ticket Prices 

Adult Ticket (25+ years): £16 Young Adult Ticket (16 to 24 years): £11 Child Ticket (3 to 15 years): £9 Kids Ticket (up to 3 years): Free

Save time & money! Buy London Pass and visit over 80+ attractions like ZSL London Zoo and London Bridge. Pick from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 10-day passes and buckle up for a 1-day hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

How to reach Postal Museum

The Postal Museum is near Mount Pleasant Mail Centre in Clerkenwell.

Address: 15-20 Phoenix Place, London, WC1X 0DA. Get Directions

There are different means of transportation you can take to reach the museum.

The closest tube stations to the museum are Russell Square , Farringdon , King’s Cross St Pancras , and Chancery Lane , all less than a mile away. 

You can plan your journey using the Transport for London Journey Planner .

The nearest train stations are King’s Cross St Pancras and Farringdon , both less than a mile away. 

You can plan your journey using the National Rail Journey Planner.

Several bus routes stop near the Postal Museum, including the 17, 19, 38, 45, 46, 55, 63, and 341. 

By Cycle 

The Postal Museum has a cycle rack in its courtyard space, and you can get the access code from the admissions desk. 

There are also several Santander Cycle Hire docking stations nearby. 

You can find a nearby docking station using the Santander docking station locator .

By Car  

If you’re planning to drive to the museum, turn on Google Maps and get started. 

There is no car park available at the Postal Museum. However, there are several local parking options available for a fee.

For your convenience, you can find local parking options using Parkopedia .

Postal Museum timings

The Postal Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm.

The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

How long does the tour take

A tour of the Postal Museum takes at least two hours.

You can see all the exhibits and ride the Mail Rail in this time.

Best time to visit Postal Museum

The best time to visit the Postal Museum in on a weekday or early in the morning, i.e., as soon as the museum opens at 10 am, or in the afternoon after 2 pm to avoid the crowds.

It’s also a good idea to book your tickets in advance and arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time slot to avoid waiting in line.

The Postal Museum can get busy, especially on weekends and during peak tourist seasons.

FAQs about Postal Museum

Here are frequently asked questions about the Postal Museum in London.

When can I visit the Postal museum?

From Wednesday through Sunday, the museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm.

When can I visit the Discovery Room in the Postal Museum?

The Discovery Room is open from Wednesday to Friday and from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm on the second Saturday of each month.

Can I buy the group ticket to the Postal Museum?

Yes. For the most recent information, please visit the museum’s group booking page if you want to bring a group to the museum.

What will happen if the Postal Museum closes on the day I reserve a ticket?

Prior to your visit, we will notify you if the museum must close. You will be given credit to use for a future visit to the museum. Since purchasing tickets makes a donation to the museum, which is a registered charity, tickets are non-refundable.

Is there a location where I can store my bike while I’m at the Postal Museum?

The Postal Museum has very few places to store bikes. The museum cannot accommodate electric scooters or other modes of transportation that do not fit in bike racks.

Can I record videos and photos at the Postal Museum?

Flash photography and taking pictures of other people without their permission are not allowed, but photography for non-commercial purposes is welcome. Stands and selfie sticks are likewise not permitted.

Are there facilities for changing babies and kid-friendly dining options at the Postal Museum?

The cafe has high chairs and Unisex toilets, as well as accessible toilets and baby changing facilities.

Can I bring my own beverages and food to the  Postal Museum?

You are not permitted to bring any food or beverages into the museum except for bottled water. On the other hand, we have a café on site that sells a wide range of snacks and drinks. Additionally, if you have any dietary requirements or restrictions, please speak with a member of our café staff, who will do everything possible to meet them.

Check out all the things to do in London

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

FireStorm Internet runs this website to provide the most accurate and up-to-day information about tourist attractions.

Our Address

FireStorm Internet, 203, 30C, Bollineni Hillside, Perumbakkam Main Road, Nookampalayam, Chennai, India. Pin Code: 600126

About Us Advertise with Us The Team Contact Us Affiliate Disclaimer Content Policy Privacy Policy Terms of Service

Food Tours Ghost Tours Stadium Tours HOHO Bus Tours Best Cruises Best Zoos Travel Tips Visual Stories

© 2024 FireStorm Internet

• London Attractions >

The Postal Museum, London

Visit the Postal Museum and Mail Rail in London’s, where you’ll get to take a ride through the Post Office’s 100-year-old railway, as well as explore lots of interactive exhibitions. You’ll learn the amazing story behind the post through the ages, in a great family-friendly museum attraction. Your ticket also includes entry to temporary exhibitions, which are included with your museum ticket.

What to expect:

• Audio-visual shows, interactive displays, incredible objects and exciting stories – discover the mail as never told before!
• Head underground and stand on the station platform of London’s 100-year-old postal railway
• Take a 15-minute ride along the railway!
• See the world’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black
• See a restored Mail Coach that was used in the 1800s
• Lots of family-friendly interactive exhibits

Temporary Exhibition:

Poco The Postcode Elephant’s booklet. Image: The Postal Museum

More details:

Ticket includes:

• Entry to the exhibition galleries
• A ride on Mail Rail
• Entry to the temporary exhibition

Ticket excludes:

• Sorted! The Postal Play Space is not included
• Address: The Postal Museum, 15-20 Phoenix Place, London, WC1X 0DA
• There is a shop and cafe on-site
• Once booked, this tour cannot be cancelled
• You can upgrade to an Annual Ticket on the day for £2.00 per person. Audio Guide can be downloaded for the price of £2.99. Please ask for more details at the Postal Museum.
• Your visit starts at Mail Rail. You must arrive at least 10 minutes before your Mail Rail timeslot as shown on your ticket
• You must be able to walk 100m unaided to ride on Mail Rail
• Opening times: 10:00am – 5:00pm (last entry 3:30pm)

BOOK TICKETS

Terms and conditions, you might also be interested.

3 or 5 London Attractions, Hop on Hop off Bus & River Cruise

5-in-1 London Combination Ticket

3-in-1 London Combination Ticket

Hop on Hop off Bus, London Eye, Tower of London & River Cruise

The London Eye Entry Ticket

'Bus Only' to & from Warner Bros. Studio Tour

You Can Explore 100-Year-Old Underground Tunnels Hidden Beneath This London Museum

These expert-led tours guide you through the tracks and tunnels that stretch beneath London's Postal Museum .

Calling all trainiacs, lovers of dark underground tunnels, and fans of both! The Postal Museum is unlocking the doors and inviting you down into the 100-year-old tunnels beneath the museum in special Tunnel Walks tours .

That’s right – a visit to this London museum doesn’t just treat you to spectacular sights, stories, and exhibits. You can quite literally take a step back in time!

Passionate expert guides lead visitors through the postal tunnels as they share the stories of the staff who built, operated, and maintained the railway . You’ll get to explore the tunnels as you find out about their construction in the early 1900s, through to their prime during the middle of the century, and eventual closure in 2003.

What do you get to see?

The tour lets you explore parts of the railway on foot that are not accessible on the Mail Rail ride. (That particular experience sees you boarding a miniature train through the original tunnels.) During the tour, they’ll take you to an eerie yet fascinating train graveyard , and you’ll be shown the floodgates that kept the workers from harm.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Secret London (@secret.london)

The Tunnel Walks tours give visitors a chance to get an in-depth insight into the workings of the postal tunnels and to explore a unique subterranean environment in the heart of London that many Londoners don’t know about.

When can you do a Tunnel Walks tour?

Until recently visitors could only enjoy the walks on select Tuesdays. But thanks to booming interest The Postal Museum now operates even more tours. Tours now also run on select Fridays and Saturday evenings .

Upcoming dates for the Tunnel Walks tour currently include:

• Friday, July 5
• Saturday, July 13
• Tuesday, July 16
• Friday, July 26
• Saturday, August 3
• Friday, August 16
• Tuesday, August 27
• Friday, September 6
• Saturday, September 14
• Tuesday, September 17
• Friday, September 27

There are two tours each day, leaving at 6:30pm and 7pm. The tours last for between 60-75 minutes and will see you exploring 1.2 kilometres of tunnels . Protective equipment is (of course) mandatory – including a high-visibility jacket and hard hat.

How much are the Tunnel Walks tours?

Tickets cost between £58 – £60 per person .

It’s important to note that the experience is only open to those aged 12 years and above.

You can book your ticket for the Tunnel Walks here . If you just want to buy a ticket for The Postal Museum itself, with tickets starting at just £10 for children aged 3-15, head here .

Elsewhere at The Postal Museum

Lest you think that a visit to The Postal Museum should start and finish with the tunnel tours, there is much more to see! Interactive experiences and fascinating displays take you back in time through the history of the UK’s postal service.

There’s the above-mentioned Mail Rail subway train , that treats guests to a taste of the tunnel walks (in slightly more controlled conditions). You can also see the world’s first postage stamps, as well as a restored mail coach. It’s a fascinating museum, with a perhaps unexpected wealth of information and history to share. You’re sure to leave with a newfound respect, appreciation, and wonder for the incredible work of the postal service.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Postal Museum (@thepostalmuseum)

If you’ve got kids in tow they’re more than catered for thanks to an ever-changing roster of family-friendly activities and the Sorted! Postal Play Space . The immersive mini-town offers up “sackloads of fun” with a charming assortment of “streets, buildings, trolleys, pulleys, slides and chutes; everything to keep the little ones happily occupied.”

📍 Find The Postal Museum on 15-20 Phoenix Place, WC1X 0DA. The nearest station is Russell Square.

Secure your ticket for your visit to the Postal Museum here .

TYPE IN YOUR SEARCH AND PRESS ENTER