The Postal Museum & Mail Rail, London
Discover one of London’s most fascinating hidden stories with Richard Taylor Travel on a memorable day trip to The Postal Museum, home to the extraordinary Mail Rail – the secret underground railway that once carried millions of letters beneath the busy streets of the capital.
Sit back, relax and enjoy comfortable executive coach travel into London before stepping inside a museum dedicated to the remarkable story of Britain’s postal service and the way it has connected people for generations.
Discover Britain’s Postal Story
The Postal Museum brings the history of the post to life, exploring how sending and receiving messages helped shape Britain and changed the way people communicated.
Far more than a museum about stamps and postboxes, the exhibitions reveal the people, vehicles, technology and innovations that kept Britain connected.
Explore fascinating displays and historic objects charting the development of the postal service through the centuries. Discover the challenges faced by those responsible for moving letters around the country, see how postal transport developed and learn how the service adapted as Britain itself changed.
From traditional mail coaches and instantly recognisable red postboxes to sorting equipment, vehicles, uniforms, graphic design and the changing methods used to deliver the post, there is plenty to discover.
Ride London's Secret Mail Rail
For many visitors, the highlight of the day will be the opportunity to experience Mail Rail. Hidden beneath the streets of London is an incredible network of narrow railway tunnels that once formed part of the Post Office Railway.
Opened in 1927, this underground railway was created to move mail quickly beneath London, avoiding the congestion on the streets above. It remained in operation until 2003.
Today, part of this remarkable railway has been brought back to life for visitors.
Climb aboard a specially designed passenger train and descend beneath the capital for an unforgettable journey through the original tunnels.
Travelling through this unique underground environment gives you the opportunity to experience a part of London that remained largely hidden from the public during its working life.
The Mail Rail experience lasts approximately 15 minutes and travels through tunnels around 70 feet – approximately 21 metres – beneath London. The original tunnels were built to carry mail rather than passengers, making the experience wonderfully different from travelling on the London Underground.
During your journey, discover more about the people who worked on the railway, how the system operated and the enormous task of moving London's post beneath the city.
Explore the Mail Rail Exhibition
Your experience continues with the Mail Rail exhibition, where you can discover how this ingenious underground system worked.
Learn about the machinery, engineering and people behind the railway and imagine what it would have been like when trains carrying letters and parcels were constantly travelling through tunnels hidden beneath the feet of Londoners above.
It is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of an operation that most people walking through London would never have known was taking place beneath them.
A Different Side of London
London has some of the world's best-known museums and attractions, but The Postal Museum offers something refreshingly different.
It combines British social history, engineering, transport, communication and nostalgia in one fascinating attraction.
Whether you remember waiting for letters and postcards to arrive through the door, have an interest in railways and engineering collect stamps, enjoy British history or simply want to discover somewhere unusual, there is something here to capture your imagination.
It is also a wonderful opportunity for different generations to explore together. Older visitors may recognise objects and postal traditions from years gone by, while younger visitors can discover just how different communication was before email, smartphones and instant messaging became part of everyday life.
Time to Enjoy Your Visit
There will be time to explore the museum's exhibitions and enjoy the Mail Rail experience, with facilities including a café and museum shop where you can browse for gifts and souvenirs.
After an enjoyable day discovering one of London's most unusual attractions, rejoin your Richard Taylor Travel coach for the comfortable journey home.
Travel with Richard Taylor Travel
Forget the hassle of driving into London, finding somewhere to park or organising trains and connections.
With Richard Taylor Travel, your day begins locally. Simply join your coach at your chosen pick-up point, settle into your seat and enjoy the journey.
Our day trip is designed to make visiting London straightforward and enjoyable, with return executive coach travel and admission arrangements taken care of for you.
Your day includes:
- Return executive coach travel
- Convenient local pick-up points
- Admission to The Postal Museum
- Mail Rail experience*
- Time to explore the museum and exhibitions
- Comfortable return journey home
Whether you are fascinated by British history, transport and engineering, have fond memories of the traditional postal service or simply enjoy discovering London's more unusual attractions, The Postal Museum & Mail Rail makes for a wonderfully different day out.
Join Richard Taylor Travel and discover the incredible story of the people, machines and underground railway that helped keep Britain connected.
Book your seats and uncover a hidden world beneath the
streets of London.
*Please note: Mail Rail operates within confined underground tunnels and the trains are small because the railway was originally designed to transport mail rather than passengers. The experience may therefore be unsuitable for some visitors. Mail Rail operates using allocated time slots and groups may occasionally be split between trains. Please check suitability and
accessibility requirements before booking.
Coach Only – Explore at Your Leisure
Prefer to enjoy the destination your own way? Our Coach Only option includes comfortable return coach travel with Richard Taylor Travel, while giving you the freedom to spend your time exactly as you choose.
Once we arrive, the day is yours. Explore the local sights, enjoy some shopping, visit attractions, stop for lunch or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere before meeting back at the coach at the advised departure time.
Your Coach Only option includes:
- Return executive coach travel
- Convenient local pick-up points
- Free time at the destination
- The freedom to plan your own day
Please note that admission tickets, guided tours, meals and other activities are not included with the Coach Only option unless specifically stated in the trip description.
Simply choose Coach Only when booking and enjoy a great day out, your way, with Richard Taylor Travel.
▶ WATCH: Experience Mail Rail
