After the Fire: Insurance, Finance and a rebuilt City is a free exhibition at the Bank of England Museum. It looks at how a 1702 City fire helped shape the early insurance market and the rebuilding of London. Visit on weekdays from 5 October to 27 November.

Visit the exhibition page →

What is happening?

The Insurance Museum’s exhibition follows the story of a fire in 1702, when brokers at Lloyd’s Coffee House and new fire-insurance schemes were beginning to transform how people managed risk. Look out for the reconstructed street scene and a family trail.

It is at the Bank of England Museum, not the Insurance Museum itself. The museum is closed at weekends and on bank holidays.

Is the exhibition free?
Yes. Admission to the exhibition and the Bank of England Museum is free.
Do I need to book?
No. The museum lists it as a walk-in visit.
When are the late openings?
The museum stays open until 8pm on every third Thursday. Check the museum before travelling for the relevant date.

Source and last check

Details checked on 5 October 2026 using the official After the Fire page. Check the organiser’s page before travelling, particularly for late-opening dates and any bank-holiday changes.