10 of the Strangest Museums in the UK

I love discovering places that are just a little bit different.

There’s nothing wrong with a traditional museum full of paintings, fossils or historical artefacts, but sometimes you come across somewhere dedicated to something so oddly specific that you can’t help wanting to know more.

And Britain has quite a few of them!

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From witchcraft and unusual collections to pencils and lawnmowers, here are ten strange museums that caught my attention.

I’ve also included a little accessibility information for each one, as there’s nothing worse than finding somewhere you’d love to visit, only to discover you can’t actually get inside.

1. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Cornwall

Tucked away in Boscastle, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic explores centuries of witchcraft, folklore and magical traditions.

Its collection includes thousands of objects connected to magical beliefs and practices.

I think I’d find the stories behind the objects fascinating, although I’d probably spend half my visit wondering whether anything had a particularly spooky past.

Accessibility: The historic building has narrow doorways and stairs. Some wheelchair users can access the small ground floor, but the upper floor is inaccessible to wheelchairs. There are no toilets on site, and wheelchair users  unable to access the upper floor are offered free admission.

2. The Derwent Pencil Museum, Cumbria

Yes, there’s an entire museum dedicated to pencils.

Located in Keswick, the Derwent Pencil Museum explores the history of pencil-making, including the area’s connection to graphite mining.

There’s an enormous coloured pencil measuring almost eight metres long, alongside secret pencils developed during the Second World War to conceal maps.

Who knew pencils could be quite so interesting?

Accessibility: The museum has been listed as having step-free, single-level access, accessible parking and an accessible toilet. However, with changes to the museum site planned, it’s worth confirming the current arrangements before visiting.

3. The Dog Collar Museum, Kent

Photo by Ian Simpson on Unsplash

Ever wondered what dogs wore hundreds of years ago?

The Dog Collar Museum at Leeds Castle features historic collars, including some rather intimidating examples designed to protect dogs from predators.

There are also more decorative collars from later periods.

I can’t help wondering what Sally would have made of some of them.

Probably not impressed.

Accessibility: Leeds Castle confirms that the Dog Collar Museum can be accessed by wheelchair users. Accessible toilets are available around the attraction, although some other areas of the castle and grounds have restrictions.

4. The British Lawnmower Museum, Merseyside

Of all the things you could build a museum around, lawnmowers wouldn’t have been my first thought.

But the British Lawnmower Museum in Southport celebrates the history of grass-cutting machinery, including some rather unusual examples.

I suppose it’s an interesting way to see how everyday inventions have changed.

Although I’ve never looked at a lawnmower and wondered what its ancestors looked like.

Accessibility: Access is limited, with a narrow entrance and steep, narrow stairs to the first floor. I’d recommend contacting the museum directly before visiting if you use a wheelchair or have difficulty with stairs.

5. The Shell Grotto, Kent

Hidden beneath Margate is somewhere rather extraordinary.

The Shell Grotto is a series of underground passages decorated with around 4.6 million shells.

Discovered in 1835, nobody knows for certain who created it or why.

Was it built for religious purposes, or was somebody simply very enthusiastic about decorating?

Whatever the explanation, I’d love to know the real story.

Accessibility: Unfortunately, the Shell Grotto is not wheelchair accessible. There are two sets of stairs, uneven flooring and narrow passages. The attraction also advises that it is unsuitable for visitors with reduced mobility.

6. The Fan Museum, London

Not fans of celebrities or football teams.

Actual fans. The ones you wave about when you’re hot.

The Fan Museum in Greenwich explores the history and craftsmanship of handheld fans from around the world.

Some are incredibly elaborate, and it’s surprising how much history can be attached to something so ordinary.

Accessibility: There are steps at the entrance, but a portable ramp is available. The museum also has a staff-operated lift between floors and an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Disabled visitors and carers receive free entry.

7. The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, London

Now this sounds like my kind of strange.

The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities in East London is packed with unusual objects, taxidermy and rather macabre exhibits.

Inspired by traditional cabinets of curiosities, it’s the sort of place where you never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner.

I suspect I’d spend ages looking at everything.

Although perhaps not everything is something I’d want to bring home.

Accessibility: Steep spiral steps to the entrance of the museum. Check the website for full information about the site.  

8. The Museum of Brands, London

Remember what your favourite chocolate bar or breakfast cereal looked like years ago?

The Museum of Brands explores the history of packaging, advertising and everyday products.

You can see how familiar brands have changed, alongside plenty of things that have disappeared from shop shelves.

I think this one could be dangerous for nostalgia.

I’d probably spend half the visit saying, “Oh, I remember those!”

Accessibility: The museum, café, garden and shop are all on one level with step-free access and accessible toilets. L

9. House of Marbles, Devon

A museum about marbles might sound fairly straightforward, but House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey has plenty going on.

Alongside marble displays, there are collections covering games, glass and pottery, plus impressive marble runs and glassmaking demonstrations.

There’s also a shop full of toys, games and unusual gifts.

Which, let’s face it, would probably be where I spent far too long.

Accessibility: The museums, shop, restaurant, glassworks and toilets are wheelchair accessible. There’s designated disabled parking, and a lift installed in 2026 provides access to the upstairs shop.

10. The National Museum of Computing, Buckinghamshire

Located at Bletchley Park, The National Museum of Computing houses an impressive collection of working historic computers.

From wartime machines to early personal computers, it shows just how much technology has changed.

I’d love to see the size of some of those early machines, especially when you consider how much computing power we now carry around in our pockets.

Accessibility: The museum is on one level, with ramps to raised areas and wheelchair access throughout its galleries. Accessible parking is available near the entrance, along with an accessible toilet and seating throughout the museum.

Which Would You Visit?

I love that almost anything can have an interesting history.

Even lawnmowers.

Personally, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities would be high on my list, although the Museum of Brands sounds fascinating too.

It’s a shame that some of these places have limited accessibility, particularly when they’re exactly the sort of unusual attractions I’d love to explore.

If you’re planning a visit, I’d always recommend checking the latest access information directly with the venue. What’s described as accessible doesn’t necessarily work for every wheelchair user.

What’s the strangest museum you’ve ever visited? And which of these would you like to explore?

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