Visitors to London Transport Museum’s new exhibition
Art deco: the golden age of poster
design and its associated public programme of events will explore how
art deco, a
revolutionary visual arts, design and architectural style influenced London transport’s iconic publicity posters, train design and visual identity.
Housed in the
Global Poster Gallery which is sponsored by Global, the Media & Entertainment Group,
the new temporary exhibition will open on 21 November 2025 in the heart of Covent Garden. The exhibition is expected to close in spring 2027.
The
jam-packed programme of art and design events and talks in Covent Garden, at the Museum Depot in Acton, west London and beyond will delve deeper into how
art deco has made its mark on London transport’s art and design heritage.
The full season of events is listed in the second half of the press release.
The new exhibition
Art deco: the golden age of the poster
design takes the visitor on a journey which starts with the origins of the artistic movement, moves on to posters that capture the world of leisure and pleasure,
and then explores its architecture and the role of architect Charles Holden who helped change the face of London with his remarkable designs for new Tube stations.
Design fans, history lovers and transport enthusiasts will be amazed by an array
of beautiful vintage posters of gleaming ocean liners, stylish 1930s bathers, period photographs, Clarice Cliff pottery and loans from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), which include a Japanese Government Railway poster by one of the masters of graphic
design, Munetsugu Satomi.
Leisure, pleasure and the jazz age
Viewers are invited to ‘take a trip’ through transport posters that focus on the destination rather than the mode of travel. An outing to the zoo, countryside, seaside or sporting
event was all within easy reach. The attractive stylised movement and colour of the
art deco style provided a natural fit for waterside activities.
The glamour of the jazz age is illustrated in the posters by depicting new clothing and fashions to promote travel to the shops and evening entertainment.
Art deco and design-inspired events in 2025 and 2026
Heritage train journeys: Metropolitan line special
Guests will be able to hop on London Transport Museum’s beautifully restored
art deco style 1938 Tube train on special trips from Amersham station.
Passengers will be transported back in time as they sit in a retro carriage
with
art deco light fittings and meet costumed character Charles Holden.
Tickets must be bought in advance
www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/heritage-vehicle-outings
Dates: Friday 5 September – Sunday 6 September 2025
Museum depot open days: a journey of art and design
Go behind the scenes for the final
Museum Depot
open days of the year and explore a rich art and design heritage that is synonymous with London’s transport past and present. From poster art, iconic design pieces, artist commissions, a world-famous
Tube map and vehicle design. Visitors can dive into the Museum Depot’s collection of over 320,000 objects and explore the distinctive style of the city’s public transport.
There will be art and design themed activities for all ages. For adults there will be not-to-be missed expert talks with historian Dr Emma Bastin, from the
Art Deco Society UK, who will discuss how
art deco revolutionised London Underground, and a talk with Fiona
Orisini, curator at the Royal Institute of British Architects, Drawings & Archives Collections, based at the V&A, on architect Charles Holden. For families there will be demos, a quiz, object handling and craft workshops, a miniature railway and other fun
activities.
For tickets and more information visit
www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/depot-open-days/depot-open-days-journey-art-design
Date: Thursday 18 September – Sunday 21 September 2025
October half term: roaring twenties
Families can step back in time to the roaring twenties with
London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. Families can take part in a series of fun activities celebrating this iconic decade, including arts and crafts, dance workshops and family-friendly tours. Find out more about vehicles from this decade, the stories
of those who rode them and the influence of the art deco
movement on London Transport.
For more information visit
www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/family-events/october-half-term-roaring-twenties
Date: Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November 2025
Museum late: art deco
Explore London Transport Museum after dark and enjoy after-hours access to the brand-new
art deco
poster exhibition opening on 21 November 2025.
Emerging from the themes of the exhibition, this exclusive late-night event is a chance to discover London Transport Museum in a relaxed, enjoyable, adults-only environment. Hop on our buses and trains, including a beautifully restored
1938 Tube stock car with art deco light fittings.
The full programme will be announced nearer the event. This is an 18+ event.
Tickets coming soon.
More information here:
www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/art-deco
Date: Friday 20 March 2026
Matt Brosnan, Head Curator at London Transport Museum, said: ‘Art
deco style had a big influence on transport design from its striking posters to station architecture and the look of trains. The posters commissioned by the
Underground and London Transport in the 1930s weren’t just about getting from A to B, they captured the excitement of a new age where speed, style, and sophistication were part of everyday life.
Our season of events and exhibition marking 100 years of art deco
is a celebration of that spirit.’
