Visiting

The British Optical Association Museum was founded in 1901 and is located in a charming Georgian house, just off the Strand in Central London. We are an accredited museum, open to the public, although to visit us you need to make an appointment in advance.

Whether you love visiting quirky museums, work in the profession, are a researcher, or you're an eyewear designer looking for inspiration - we look forward to welcoming you to the oldest optical museum in the world!

Location

Contact

Neil Handley PhD, AMA, FRSA, Museum Curator 
British Optical Association Museum 
The College of Optometrists 
42 Craven Street, London, WC2N 5NG, UK

E: museum@college-optometrists.org 
T: +44 (0)20 7766 4353  
#musEYEum

Monday-Friday 10am-5.30pm 

Available tours and visits

Standard Tour

Our Museum Display Galleries offer an intimate encounter with a cross-section of our extensive historic collection of artefacts relating to optometry, the eye and visual health.

The Giles Room: sight-testing equipment, ophthalmic lenses, symbolism of the eye, ocular anatomy, disease and hygiene, prosthetics and contact lenses.

The Sutcliffe Room: antique spectacles and other vision aids, including sunglasses, monocles, spyglasses, opera glasses, teelscopes, microscopes and cameras.

Both rooms may have archive films showing on a rolling loop. The sound may be turned on or off as you prefer.

Availability: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm (last appointment)
Duration: approximately 50-60 minutes 
Suitable for: anyone. Children under 16 must be accompanied
Admission: Free, but donations welcome

Meeting Room Tour

Opt for our extended tour and you'll not only see the Museum Display Galleries, as detailed Standard Tour, but also some of the above-ground spaces in the College.

The Print Room: antique engravings, etchings and lithographs from the 16th-19th century displayed in a Georgian style
The Panelled Room: paintings, objects and sculpture.
The Charter Room and The Library: rare books, prints, sculpture, the Royal Charter and sight test charts from all over the world
The Ante-Room: paintings, coins and medals, ceramics, silver, glassware
The Council Room: paintings, regalia and sculpture

Please note that the College is a working building so the availability of Meeting Room Tours is subject to other demands on the use of the rooms. Not all tours may be able to include every room. We recommend you have more than one date and time in mind when contacting us to arrange your appointment.

Availability: Monday-Friday 10am-3pm (last appointment)
Duration: One and a half to two hours
Suitable for: individuals, families or groups of up to 25 people
Admission: £10 per person (payable on the day)
Concessions: Free to College Members and Fellows, registered carers, people who are registered sight impaired or severely sight impaired (Certificate of Vision Impairment, CVI (Scotland), or Northern Ireland A655), Museums Association members, OAICC members, Scientific Instrument Society (SIS) members

Research visit

Researchers can make an appointment to view specific items from the collection.

Availability: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm (last appointment)

Special events

Annual General Meeting and Auction of the Ophthalmic Antiques International Collectors' Club
Date: Sunday 17 May 2026
Time: 11am-5pm
Admission: OAICC Members and named guests only
Booking: Details will accompany the April issue of the journal Ophthalmic Antiques

Open House Festival/Heritage Open Days event
Date: Sunday 13 September 2026
Time: 12pm-5pm
Admission: Free
Booking: No need to pre-book. Details may be found on the Open House Festival and Heritage Open Days websites

We will be closed, and no appointments will be available, or we may already be fully booked on the following dates: 

  • 3 April 2026 (Good Friday)
  • 6 April 2026 (Easter Monday)
  • 28 April-13 May 2026 inclusive
  • 25 May 2026 (Bank Holiday)
  • 15 June 2026
  • 27 July-7 August 2026 inclusive
  • 31 August 2026 (Bank Holiday)
  • 22 September-25 September 2026 inclusive
  • Christmas and New Year closures will be announced in the autumn