About
The Royal College of Music Museum houses one of the world's most important collections of musical instruments and related materials. With over 14,000 items spanning five centuries, the collection includes rare instruments played by famous musicians, beautiful decorated keyboard instruments, and the earliest known guitar.
Highlights include the earliest known guitar (c.
1590), Handel's spinet, Haydn's longcase clock, and instruments from the Donaldson Collection - one of Britain's most significant collections of woodwind and brass. The museum offers a fascinating journey through the evolution of musical instruments from Renaissance viols to modern synthesizers.
Visitors can see instruments that were played by legendary musicians including Liszt, Chopin, and Handel.
The collection also includes autograph manuscripts, portraits of composers, and concert programs documenting the history of music performance. Regular exhibitions explore themes in musical history and instrument making.
Categories:
Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Wednesday morning, Friday afternoon
Busiest: Thursday
💡 Weekday afternoons for leisurely exploration
💡 Visitor Tips
- Check opening hours carefully - museum only open Wed-Fri during term time
- Perfect to combine with nearby V&A, Natural History, or Science Museum
- Visit during RCM concert season to potentially hear students practicing
- The collection is compact but of exceptional quality - allow time to appreciate details
- Photography permitted for personal use - great for music enthusiasts
- Free entry but donations welcome to support the collection
- Ask staff about current special displays or recently acquired items
Highlights
The Earliest Known Guitar
An exquisite decorated guitar from around 1590, the earliest guitar known to survive. Made in Lisbon, it features beautiful inlay work and represents a pivotal moment in the development of the modern guitar.
Handel's Spinet
A keyboard instrument owned and played by George Frideric Handel. This intimate connection to one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era makes it a treasured object for music lovers.
Haydn's Longcase Clock
The longcase clock that belonged to Joseph Haydn, providing a personal glimpse into the composer's life. The clock still keeps time and is a beautiful example of 18th-century craftsmanship.
The Donaldson Collection
One of Britain's most important collections of historic woodwind and brass instruments. Includes rare Renaissance cornetts, Baroque trumpets, early clarinets, and flutes showing the evolution of orchestral instruments.
Collections
The RCM Museum holds over 14,000 items including 1,000+ musical instruments, portraits of composers and performers, autograph manuscripts, printed music, concert programs, and related ephemera. The instrument collection spans from Renaissance viols and lutes to 20th-century electronic instruments. Strengths include keyboard instruments (harpsichords, spinets, early pianos), the Donaldson Collection of wind instruments, stringed instruments including viols and early guitars, and items with provenance to famous musicians.
The portrait collection includes works by leading artists depicting composers from Purcell to Britten.
Musical Instruments Through Five Centuries
Main displays showcasing the evolution of musical instruments
📍 Main galleries
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.
