The Royal College of Music Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday and our friendly team welcomes visitors to explore our unique collection of instruments, artworks and manuscripts.
No need to book, just turn up on the day.
The Royal College of Music Museum contains the earliest known guitar, the earliest stringed keyboard instrument and the most recognised portraits of Joseph Haydn and Farinelli. Learn about these and 56 other fascinating instruments specially chosen from the RCM’s designated collection of over 14,000 items.
Find out more about visiting our Museum
Alongside our standard displays our current special exhibition is:
Awaken: Sufi Music & Women of South Asia
18 June 2024 – 20 October 2024
Explore the role of women in music, poetry, Mughal miniatures and films associated with Sufism. This exhibition brings to life the often-overlooked stories of women’s roles in the male-dominated musical landscape of Sufism. Illuminating their invaluable contributions through a display of items drawn from collections across the world, the exhibition reveals some of the voices, performances and instruments of Sufi women in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh from the Mughal period to present-day London.
Following a £3.6 million investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Royal College of Music Museum has undergone a complete redevelopment. Our Museum is accessible to visitors with limited mobility. You can read more about access in the RCM Museum here
*Please note: you are welcome to visit at any time during our opening hours. If there are 10 or more people in your group, please contact the Museum team at museum.info@rcm.ac.uk to arrange your visit.
