The Halcyonite

By James 28’, Annabel 28’, Isha 28’, Finbar 28’, Sara 28’ & Beatrix 28’

Summer is here—and that means it’s peak tourism season in London. And who can blame them? Even locals still pause to admire Big Ben or snap a photo by the Thames. But if you’re looking for a break from the crowds, London’s quieter museums offer something different: space to think, stories to uncover, and a chance to see the city in a new light.

Tourism is very important to London because it brings money, jobs, and helps people learn about different cultures. Over the last couple of months in our Exploration, we have visited several fascinating museums, such as the British Library, Imperial War Museum, Museum of London Docklands, National Army Museum, and the Wellcome Collection. These places demonstrate how museums attract visitors from around the world. 

Tourism plays an important role in London’s economy. In 2023, London welcomed 20.3 million international visitors, a 26% increase from the year before. These visitors spent £16.7 billion, supporting thousands of jobs in transport, hospitality, retail, and the arts. These numbers aren’t just big — they show how deeply tourism fuels the city. Every museum ticket, hotel room, and cafe table visited by a tourist strengthens London’s financial foundations. Without tourism, many of the places we explored might not even be open (Census 2021). 

One of the places we visited was the Museum of London Docklands. A short train ride away, this location was inspiring with its collection of different artefacts from the industrialisation of London. It was great to see how much was preserved and how there is a story to all of the objects. This part was great to see how much London has changed, since the slave trade, the industrialisation and the modernisation of the docklands. It was very inspirational for all of us.

After exploring the more industrial sections, we made our way into the exhibit dedicated to the history of the transatlantic slave trade. It was heavy, but essential learning. The display highlighted how the docklands were deeply connected to trade, with ships leaving London for Africa and returning with goods produced by enslaved people. 

The Imperial War Museum stands out as a key cultural attraction that highlights how tourism benefits London. It is a major attraction that draws in over 2 million visitors annually to the museum, from school groups and families to tourists from across the world. It’s not just a place to learn about war and history; it’s also part of London’s cultural identity and how it shaped the world, and this makes it a key reason why people choose to visit the city, reinforcing London’s reputation as a leading destination for cultural tourism.

When people come to the Imperial War Museum, they often spend the whole day in the area. According to the Office of National Statistics (Census 2021), on average, international tourists spend around £650 per trip in London, and domestic tourists spend about £200. An enormous part of the money spent goes into nearby cafes, restaurants, transport, and souvenir shops. All of this supports local jobs and boosts small businesses in the local economy. Plus, the museum puts on special exhibitions and events that keep tourists coming back, which helps bring in even more income throughout the year.

The Imperial War Museum shows how a single cultural attraction can support jobs, attract international attention, and boost London’s economy in a real and lasting way. It’s a clear example of how tourism isn’t just about sightseeing; it’s a big part of what keeps the city moving.

The Wellcome Collection is a prime illustration of how museums help support London’s cultural capital. It’s a free museum that focuses on health, science, and the human experience. Because of its unique exhibitions, it attracts visitors who are curious about the connection between medicine, life, and art. Many tourists visit the Wellcome Collection while exploring the Euston area, and this brings more people into nearby shops, cafes, and transport services. 

Even though it’s smaller than some other museums, the Wellcome Collection still plays an important role in cultural tourism. It regularly puts on new exhibitions, which means people have a reason to return. This helps boost repeat tourism and brings more money into the city. Also, because it’s free, it encourages more diverse groups of people to visit, from international tourists to local school groups. 

By inspiring people to think and learn, and by drawing more visitors to London, the Wellcome Collection shows how even smaller museums help keep the city lively and economically stable.

The British Library is the national library of the U.K. and it is also one of the largest libraries in the world, it brings in over 1.5 million people to study, research and enjoy its private collection books,  Tourists come from all over the globe to explore its treasures — from original Beatles lyrics and books dating back over a 1000 years. It’s not just a place to study and find books; it has thousands of years of culture. Which is why it is so important for people who study and visit London alike.

A true moment of joy was seeing a letter from Paul McCartney about the song Penny Lane. For me to share this with my father and my peers in Grade 9, and appreciate their love for the Beatles, few museums can offer such cultural joys! Something else that I saw that stood out to me was seeing an old bible that was written in Latin. It’s interesting to see an old document that has been around for thousands of years being translated into many languages, making it accessible to all, showing international mindedness, and community spirit, both IB Learner Profile Traits.

One of the best places to experience art and culture in London is the Tate Britain. We went to the museum as a Grade to explore the experience of an immigrant artist. It is a famous art museum that shows both historic and modern artwork. It is a great place for all because it is free to enter and has something for everyone to enjoy, from paintings and sculptures to video art and installations. Visiting the Tate helps people learn about different artists and cultures, and it also supports local businesses like cafes and shops nearby.

Museums make London a more exciting city. Tourism is very important to London because it brings money, creates jobs and helps people learn about history and culture. Museums like the Imperial War Museum show how one place can bring many visitors, help local businesses, and support the city’s economy. Over the last few weeks, we saw how museums attract people from all over the world and give them a reason to visit London. Without tourism, many of these places might not be able to stay open. 

We enjoyed visiting the museums over the last few weeks. Each one was interesting in its way and helped us learn more about London’s history. This exploration was both fun and educational. We learnt a lot about London’s history and how smaller museums contribute to the economy just as much as the main ones. I had a lot of fun.

The Museum of the Docklands

The British Library

The National Army Museum, in Chelsea, shows Army transport from the Gulf War

A letter from Paul McCartney at the British Library