London Museum to open with Roman artefacts exhibition
New Smithfield venue will showcase Bloomberg Collection in Spring 2027, featuring earliest known reference to the city.
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The London Museum, due to open in November 2026, has announced details for its inaugural temporary exhibition. This exhibition will explore the city's earliest days under Roman rule, covering the first 50 years after its founding nearly 2,000 years ago. The exhibition is scheduled to open in Spring 2027.
The Bloomberg Collection
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Central to the new display will be the Bloomberg Collection, a significant assembly of more than 14,000 Roman artefacts. These items were recovered during excavations between 2012 and 2014 for Bloomberg's European headquarters and new Mithraeum. Bloomberg Philanthropies donated this collection to the London Museum in 2025. Among the artefacts are wax tablets and an iron stylus, with one tablet bearing the earliest known written mention of London, predating Tacitus's account by half a century. The stylus itself has an inscription, examined and translated by classicist Dr Roger Tomlin.
Jackie Keily, the exhibition's lead curator, noted that the waterlogged conditions of the site helped preserve objects that might otherwise have been lost. She stated that these finds allow for an understanding of the daily lives of Londinium's ancient inhabitants, a period marked by hardship, hope, and new beginnings.
Underground Vaults at Smithfield
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The exhibition will be free for visitors and will offer access to a network of long-abandoned underground vaults located beneath Smithfield's Victorian General Market. These vaults were rediscovered during the conversion of the market into the museum's new home. In 2019, builders uncovered an 800-square-metre area of vaults, believed to have been used for storage by the market and a nearby railway. These spaces have since been adapted to host exhibitions and events. The subterranean galleries housing the Roman exhibition are situated at approximately the original Roman street level, a coincidence noted by museum director Sharon Ament.
Sharon Ament, director of the London Museum, expressed the institution's determination to open the rediscovered vaults to the public, recognising their unique and evocative atmosphere.
Questions this report answers
+When will the London Museum open?
The London Museum is scheduled to open its doors to the public in November 2026. It will initially feature a permanent collection for visitors to explore.
+What is the first temporary exhibition about?
The museum's first temporary exhibition will focus on Roman London's initial 50 years. It will showcase the Bloomberg Collection, comprising over 14,000 Roman artefacts, and will be free to visit.
+Where is the exhibition located?
The exhibition will be held in underground vaults beneath Smithfield's Victorian General Market. These rediscovered vaults have been converted to accommodate exhibitions and events.
+What is significant about the Bloomberg Collection?
The Bloomberg Collection includes over 14,000 Roman artefacts, notably a wax tablet containing the earliest known reference to London. This artefact predates other historical accounts of the city.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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