If you grew up reading The Jolly Postman, this interactive exhibition at The Postal Museum feels like stepping straight back into your childhood.
Celebrating 40 years of the much-loved children’s book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, this immersive London exhibition invites families to follow the Jolly Postman on his delivery round, visiting some very familiar fairytale addresses along the way.
Running from 14 February 2026 until January 2027, The Jolly Postman exhibition is included in your general museum ticket, making it a great value family day out in central London.
Where Is The Jolly Postman Exhibition?
Location: The Postal Museum, 15–20 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DA
Nearest stations: Farringdon, Chancery Lane and King’s Cross St Pancras
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (closed Mondays)
This central London location makes it easy to combine with other nearby attractions or a wider day out.
Ticket Prices and What’s Included
Adult £18.50
Young Person £12.50
Child £11
Under 2s free
Your ticket includes:
Entry to The Jolly Postman exhibition Full access to The Postal Museum One ride on Mail Rail 12-month unlimited return visits. This makes it more than just a single exhibition visit and offers strong value for families planning multiple trips.
What to Expect Inside the Exhibition
The Jolly Postman exhibition is designed to be interactive and engaging, particularly for younger children.
As you move through the space, you’ll:
Wander through the woods to the Three Bears’ cottage Deliver royal mail to Cinderella at the palace and even peek inside the Wicked Witch’s gingerbread bungalow.
Children can dress up, touch, play, read and explore throughout the exhibition. There are plenty of opportunities for imaginative play, making it especially appealing for little ones who love storytelling and fairytales.
While the exhibition space itself is not huge, it has been thoughtfully designed to focus on interaction rather than static displays. Opening envelopes, discovering letters and stepping into storybook scenes is what makes this experience feel magical.
Is The Jolly Postman Exhibition Good for Older Children?
This is a smaller exhibition, and that is important to note when planning your visit. I would say it is best suited to children aged 10 and under. Older children may move through it fairly quickly, but many will still appreciate how interactive it is. For younger children, however, the dressing up, hands-on elements and themed rooms will hold their attention far more naturally.
The Nostalgia Factor for Adults
For adults, this exhibition is a real nostalgia hit. I remember reading The Jolly Postman as a child and being completely mesmerised by the envelopes you could actually open and the letters from familiar fairytale characters. It felt magical then. Seeing those elements brought to life now genuinely takes you back.
As an adult, you can appreciate just how clever and beautifully designed the book is. It played a big part in my childhood, and I loved being reminded of that. I also love that there are now different versions of the book available, allowing a new generation to enjoy the same magic.
Final Verdict: Is The Jolly Postman Exhibition Worth Visiting?
The Jolly Postman exhibition may be on the smaller side, but I genuinely think that works in its favour. It feels perfectly suited to younger children, particularly those aged 10 and under. If your child enjoys dressing up, imaginative play and classic fairytales, this is a lovely London exhibition to add to your list.
Older children may move through it quite quickly, but most will still appreciate how interactive it is. There are plenty of opportunities to touch, play, explore and read, which keeps it engaging rather than just something you walk around and look at.
What really elevates the visit, though, is everything else included in your ticket. Mail Rail is such a cool experience and something that makes The Postal Museum stand out from other London museums. Riding through the old underground tunnels in a miniature train feels unique and memorable.
That said, it is important to mention that Mail Rail is not for the claustrophobic. The space inside the small train carriages is very tight, and the tunnels themselves are narrow and enclosed. If you do not like confined spaces, you would likely feel uncomfortable. It is absolutely worth doing if you can, but it is something to be aware of before you queue.
Beyond the exhibition and Mail Rail, other parts of the museum are interactive too, which helps turn this into a well-rounded family day out rather than just a short exhibition visit.
The gift shop is also worth a mention, especially for anyone with a special interest in post. There are lots of cute themed items including teddies, books and squishy souvenirs, making it very tempting for children (and adults).
Overall, The Jolly Postman exhibition works beautifully as part of the wider museum experience. For younger children, it is imaginative and engaging. For adults, it delivers a strong dose of nostalgia. And with Mail Rail and the interactive museum spaces included, it becomes much more than just a small exhibition.
