The Ragged School Museum is a stone’s throw from Mile End Park, and lies sandwiched between the Regents’ Canal and Copperfield Road. It has just reopened after having £4.8 million of National Lottery Heritage Funded works. The refurbishment works have taken longer than anticipated and were hit by the COVID lockdown.

The museum welcomes people of all ages and offers a chance to experience Victorian Life in the East End as it was felt over a century ago. It tells the story of education for the poor, contains authentic Victorian classrooms and is visited by many school groups during term time. It provides them with an unforgettable day out.

The school opened in 1877 in a couple of disused warehouses and stayed open until 1908 when the government of the day finally decided to provide free education to every child.

As well as a strong education programme, the site has hireable spaces, and a new canalside cafe.

The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with the basement canalside cafe having the same opening hours and providing a welcome stopping point for those walking along the canal and/or through Mile End Park.

Want to sample the Victorian Classroom Experience yourself?

From 2pm to 5pm, on the first Sunday every month, you can attend a lesson in their Victorian Classroom. It doesn’t matter if you are 5 or 85, you’ll love it. See here for further information.