18 Stafford Terrace | Paid Entry |
18 Stafford Terrace is a unique example of a late Victorian townhouse. Home to the Sambourne family, it survives with almost all of its furniture and fittings intact. |
18 Stafford Terrace, W8 7BH |
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Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum | Paid Entry |
St Mary’s Hospital is home to the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum. Fleming discovered the antibiotic penicillin at St Mary’s Hospital in 1928, a breakthrough that revolutionised medicine and earned him a Nobel Prize. Visitors to the Museum can see Fleming’s laboratory, restored to its 1928 condition, and explore the story of Fleming and the discovery and development of penicillin through displays and video. |
Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum, W2 1NY |
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Anaesthesia Heritage Centre | Free |
The Anaesthesia Heritage Centre contains the Associations archives, the Anaesthesia Museum and a rare book collection and is open to everyone. Expect a large collection of medical instruments, and lots of quite informative heritage display boards. Ian has Visited – review here. |
Anaesthesia Heritage Centre, W1B 1PY |
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Bank of England Museum | Free |
A surprisingly large museum housed within the Bank of England. It charts the history of money in the UK, and the Bank itself. Expect to see lots of heritage, old bank notes and coins, and a chance to lift up a real bar of gold. Displays cover the history of the bank in roughly chronological order, including many photos showing the rebuilding of the Bank in the inter-war years, and several figures in historical costume. Another section, called The Bank Today, uses modern technology to bring the Bank’s current activities to a wider audience. |
Bank of England Museum, EC2R 8AH |
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Barnet Museum | Free |
Barnet Museum is a free local history Museum in North London run by volunteers. The Museum’s collection contains hundreds of artifacts reflecting the history of Barnet and those that have lived there, dating from the Bronze Age to the present day. The Museum focuses on Chipping Barnet, East Barnet, New Barnet, Hadley and the surrounding districts. |
Barnet Museum, EN5 4BE |
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Battle of Britain Bunker | Paid Entry |
A fully restored WW2 bunker underneath the former RAF Uxbridge, this is where the famous Battle of Britain was commanded from during the war. The main command room has been restored to how it would have looked on one of the key nights during the battle. There is also a large museum in some of the side rooms, which is more a random collection of WW2 memorabilia, and has a good collection of quirky objects. Regular bunker tours take place at 10.15am, 11.30am, 12.45pm, 2pm, 3.15pm. Tours last for one hour which includes a 35-minute presentation in the plotting room on its function during the Battle of Britain. Access to the bunker is only via a long staircase several floors down to the underground building. |
Battle of Britain Bunker, UB10 0RN |
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Ben Uri Gallery | Free |
A museum dedicated to exploring the work and lives of emigre artists in London. Emerging from and representing the Jewish community, the collection principally reflects the work, lives and contribution of British and European artists of Jewish descent. Said to be the largest such museum in Europe. The collection now houses some 1,300 works of art. |
Ben Uri Gallery, NW8 0RH |
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Benjamin Franklin House | Paid Entry |
In the heart of London, is Benjamin Franklin House, the world’s only remaining Franklin home. For nearly sixteen years between 1757 and 1775, Dr Benjamin Franklin – scientist, diplomat, philosopher, inventor, Founding Father of the USA and more – lived behind its doors. Built circa 1730, it is today a museum devoted to his life in London. You have to book a tour — you cannot just turn up. |
Benjamin Franklin House, WC2N 5NF |
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Bentley Priory Museum | Paid Entry |
Bentley Priory Museum tells the story of the huge Grade II* listed country house, focusing on its role as Headquarters Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. Explore the important stories of Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, ‘The Few’ who took to the air to defend the skies and ‘The Many’ without whose work on the ground victory would not have been possible and discover how technology, leadership and courage forged victory allowing Britain’s darkest hour to also be her Finest Hour. The museum is set back from the main road and occupies the ground floor of the mansion house building. Next door is also Bentley Priory Nature Reserve, which is worth a visit. |
Bentley Priory Museum, HA7 3HT |
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Bentley Priory Museum | Paid Entry |
Former mansion house that once housed a major command centre for the RAF during WW2, now with ground floor and basement converted into museum. Number of rooms laid out with the history of the mansion, the RAF based here, and the way they used Radar to fight the enemy. Outstanding views across London from the terrace. Note, need to go through security gate to get to the museum. |
Bentley Priory Museum, HA7 3FB |
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Bethlem Museum of the Mind | Free |
The Bethlem Museum of the Mind records the lives and experience and celebrates the achievements of people with mental health problems. |
Bethlem Museum of the Mind, BR3 3BX |
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Bourne Hall Museum | Free |
The Museum charts the Borough’s history through its collections of document and picture archives, fine art, costume, archaeology and social history. Highlights of the collection include Lord Rosebery’s hansom cab, a 19th-century fire engine, extensive Derby memorabilia and significant Roman archaeology from local sites. |
Bourne Hall Museum, KT17 1UF |
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Brent Museum | Free |
Over 400 objects from the museum collection can be viewed in Brent Museum’s permanent gallery in Willesden Green. This gallery tells the story of Brent from prehistory all the way through to the present day. Visitors can find out about an Eiffel tower in Wembley, why you might make a pilgrimage to Willesden and what the Victorian streets of Brent were really like. |
Brent Museum, NW10 2SF |
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British Airways Heritage collection | Free |
The British Airways Heritage collection has existed since the formation of British Airways. It was formed to preserve the records and artefacts of British Airways predecessor companies BOAC, BEA, BSAA and the pre-war Imperial Airways and British Airways Ltd. The collection comprises of an extensive document archive recording the formation, development and operations of the British Airways and its predecessor companies as well as memorabilia and artefacts. Over 130 uniforms from the 1930s to the present day are preserved as well as a large collection of aircraft models and pictures. Visits are by appointment only. Ian has Visited – review here. |
British Airways Heritage collection , UB7 0GA |
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British Dental Museum | Free |
The British Dental Association Museum began in 1919 when Lilian Lindsay, the first female to qualify as a dentist in the UK, donated several old dental instruments to the BDA. She had been storing them in a box under her bed. Today the collections would no longer fit under a bed as they extend to about 30,000 items. Spanning the 17th century to the present day, the highlights of the collection include dental chairs, dentures, drills, oral hygiene products, and of course Waterloo teeth. Ian has Visited – review here, |
British Dental Museum, W1G 8YS |
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British Optical Association Museum | Free |
This is a permanent exhibition highlighting the vast range of our collections and showcasing some of the College’s treasures. The British Optical Association Museum at the College of Optometrists is open to the public most week days, but you do have to make an appointment in advance. Visits are by guided tour. The ‘Standard Tour’ is free of charge and lasts about 40 minutes, or (depending upon availability), there may be the chance to pay a fee to go on a ‘Full Building Tour’ which lasts two hours. |
British Optical Association Museum, WC2N 5NG |
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Brooklands Museum | Paid Entry |
A museum based at the birthplace of British motorsport. Now a large collection of classic cars and aircraft — alongside a Concorde plane. |
Brooklands Museum, KT13 0QN |
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Bruce Castle Museum | Free |
A local museum housed in a Grade I listed 16th-century manor house. It is named after the House of Bruce who owned the land on which it is built. The building is also one of the oldest surviving English brick houses, although it has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. It has since been converted into a museum exploring the history of Haringey and the history of the Royal Mail. The building also houses the archives of the London Borough of Haringey. Since 1892 the grounds have been Tottenham’s oldest public park. |
Bruce Castle Museum, N17 8NU |
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Brunei Gallery, SOAS | Free |
The Brunei Gallery hosts a programme of changing contemporary and historical exhibitions from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The Gallery’s aim is to present and promote cultures from these regions, both to the public, and to students at the local universities. They tend to have a changing rotation of exhibitions every few months. It’s not always obvious, but when you go into an exhibition, it often continues downstairs as well. Also check out the roof-garden while there, at the top of the same staircase. |
Brunei Gallery, SOAS, WC1H 0XG |
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Brunel Museum | Paid Entry |
A museum devoted to one of the world’s great engineering dynasties, the Brunel family. The museum is in two halves, with one section in an old steam pumping house, and the other hidden underground in the original shaft dug by Brunel for the world’s first underwater tunnel. Regular talks, evening events on the roof, and on occasions, tours through the tunnels. |
Brunel Museum, SE16 4LF |
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Burgh House and Hampstead Museum | Free |
Burgh House is a historic house located in Hampstead, that also includes the Hampstead Museum. It hosts a rotating selection of displays, most often about art or local history. A cafe is in the basement, with outside seating in the gardens. |
Burgh House and Hampstead Museum, NW3 1LT |
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Canal Museum | Paid Entry |
A heritage museum devoted to the history of Britain’s canals, and also the short-lived period of importing ice into the city from Scandinavia. |
Canal Museum, N1 9RT |
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Cartoon Museum | Paid Entry |
A modest sized museum that focuses on the comic and cartoon. It has a permanent gallery of cartoon prints, mostly Georgian and Victorian political satires. There is then a rotating series of displays which change several times a year focusing on either a specific artist, or a genre of comics. |
Cartoon Museum, WC1A 2HH |
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Charles Dickens Museum | Paid Entry |
One of many homes occupied by Charles Dickens, this is now a fully restored museum devoted to his life. Rooms are laid out as if the Dickens family are still living there and have just stepped out for a moment. A recent extension into the neighbouring building allowed for a lot of heritage to also be put on display without spoiling the history of the original home. |
Charles Dickens Museum, WC1N 2LX |
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Churchill War Rooms | Paid Entry |
Built in the basement under government offices, this is the famous bunker where Churchill commanded World War 2. Restored and opened in the 1980s, it shows off the bunker as it would have been on a busy night during WW2. |
Churchill War Rooms, SW1A 2AQ |
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City of London Police Museum | Free |
A small, but interesting museum that charts the history of the City of London’s own police force. It shows off the history of how the police force was set up, a number of significant events in its lifetime and how policing is done today. Expect lots of information boards, some cases of artifacts, and a long room of uniforms from the ages. |
City of London Police Museum, EC2V 7HH |
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Clink Prison Museum | Paid Entry |
The Clink Prison Museum is built upon the original site of The Clink Prison, which dating back to 1144 was one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons. Visitors will learn all about this scandalous truth of Old Bankside through a hands-on educational experience, with the opportunity to view archaeological artefacts, handle torture devices, and to view and hear all about the tales of torment and many misfortunes of the inmates of the infamous Clink Prison. It’s slightly cheesy, in a fun sort of way. |
Clink Prison Museum, SE1 9DG |
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Crystal Palace Museum | Free |
Museum devoted to the story and memorabilia of The Crystal Palace exhibition centre. The museum is housed in the only surviving building constructed by the Crystal Palace Company built around 1880 as a lecture room for the Crystal Palace Company’s School of Practical Engineering. The story of both palaces is told in a series of unique images supplemented by large scaled models of the Crystal Palace plus showcases displaying ceramics and other items associated with the Crystal Palace including remnants from the original building. Adjacent to the museum is the base of Brunel’s water tower. |
Crystal Palace Museum, SE19 2BA |
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Cutty Sark | Paid Entry |
Discover what life was like on board the real Cutty Sark, the world’s sole surviving tea clipper, and fastest ship of her time – now a visitor attraction in Greenwich. This legendary19th-century sailing ship has been raised over three metres allowing you the experience of walking directly underneath and touch the original hull planks and iron framework, which date back to 1869. |
Cutty Sark, SE10 9HT |
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Dennis Severs’ House | Paid Entry |
Half museum, half “experience”, Dennis Severs’ House is a “still-life drama” created by the previous owner as an “historical imagination” of what life would have been like inside for a family of Huguenot silk weavers. It is a Grade II listed Georgian terraced house in Spitalfields, and from 1979 to 1999 it was lived in by Dennis Severs, who gradually recreated the rooms as a time capsule in the style of former centuries. It is now open to the public. Visits are encouraged to be in total silence to soak up the atmosphere. |
Dennis Severs’ House, E1 6BX |
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Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre | Free |
A large facility that is half museum of local history and half visitor centre for the rest of Greenwich. Has a local pub/restaurant, and usefully, public toilets. Exhibits include: The history of the Palace of Placentia. Models of Christopher Wren’s original designs for Greenwich Hospital. Six of the carved heads originally intended to decorate the exterior of the College’s Painted Hall. Exhibition displays about Maritime Greenwich and its connections with the sea and exploration. An exhibition about the history of the Royal Naval College during the years it occupied Greenwich Hospital (1873-1998). |
Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre, SE10 9NN |
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Dorich House Museum | Paid Entry |
Dorich House is the former studio home of the Russian sculptor Dora Gordine and her husband the Hon. Richard Hare, a scholar of Russian art and literature. The building was completed in 1936, to Gordine’s design, and is an fine example of a modern studio house created by and for a female artist. The Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Gordine’s work, which spans her artistic career. Also on permanent display is an important collection of Russian art and artifacts, acquired by the couple during their marriage. Weather permitting, visitors can go onto the roof for spectacular views overlooking Richmond Park. |
Dorich House Museum, SW15 3RN |
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Down House | Paid Entry |
Down House is the family home of Charles Darwin, and now a museum to his life and works. Stand in the study where Darwin wrote ‘On the Origin of Species’, stroll through the gardens that inspired him, and visit his and wife Emma’s newly recreated bedroom which overlooks the gardens. Let Sir David Attenborough take you on an interactive multimedia tour around the house, and discover how the great man developed his ground-breaking theories. |
Down House, BR6 7JT |
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Dr Johnson’s House | Paid Entry |
A museum based in the former home of the 18th-century English writer and lexicographer Dr Samuel Johnson. It’s a Georgian era building which has been left pretty much as it was when it was lived in. Do also look out for the statue of the Dr’s cat, in the courtyard. |
Dr Johnson’s House, EC4A 3DE |
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Dr Who Museum and Shop | Paid Entry |
A charming museum in the back of the shop housing over 120 different props, costumes & artefacts, many from Doctor Who, Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures & K9, dating back to 1963. Entry to the museum is through the doors of a Tardis in the Dr Who Shop. Inside the museum runs the full width of the store, and you can pose with the characters, and staff are on hand to answers any fans questions. |
Dr Who Museum and Shop, E6 1PY |
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Dulwich Picture Gallery | Paid Entry |
The oldest public art gallery in the UK, this substantial collection is set within an impressive building. There is a permanent gallery, along with regularly rotating exhibitions (for an extra charge). Set among some lovely parks. |
Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21 7AD |
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Eastbury Manor House | Paid Entry |
Eastbury Manor House is an example of an Elizabethan building. It is a Grade I listed building and is now managed by the National Trust. The exterior retains its original appearance. The earliest dated items, such as a lead rainwater hopper head, were produced in the 1570s. It was in danger of complete demolition until 1918 when it was purchased by the National Trust. Evocative exposed timbers in attic, fine original spiral oak staircase in turret, soaring chimneys, cobbled courtyard, peaceful walled garden with bee boles. |
Eastbury Manor House, IG11 9SN |
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Eltham Palace | Paid Entry |
Eltham Palace is a large house in Eltham. It is an unoccupied royal residence and owned by the Crown Estate, although open the public through English Heritage which restored the building in 1999 and opened it to the public. It has been said the internally Art Deco house is a “masterpiece of modern design”. |
Eltham Palace, SE9 5QE |
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Fan Museum | Paid Entry |
The Fan Museum owns over 4,000 fans, fan leaves and related ephemera. The oldest fan in the collection dates from the 10th century and the collection of 18th and 19th century European fans is extensive. The entire collection is not displayed permanently due to conservation concerns, so three times a year the selection of fans on exhibit is changed. There is also a permanent educational display which teaches about fan history, manufacturing processes, and the various forms of fan. |
Fan Museum, SE10 8ER |
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Fashion and Textile Museum | Paid Entry |
Founded by the designer Zandra Rhodes, the museum and offers an ongoing programme of temporary displays. The building has become a tourist attraction in its own right due to its colour scheme of hot pink, burnt orange, yellow, and bright blue. |
Fashion and Textile Museum, SE1 3XF |
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Florence Nightingale Museum | Paid Entry |
The Florence Nightingale Museum is located next to St Thomas’ Hospital. The museum tells the real story of Florence Nightingale, “the lady with the lamp”, from her Victorian childhood to her experiences in the Crimean, through to her years as a campaigner for health reform. The museum explains her legacy and also celebrates nursing today. |
Florence Nightingale Museum, SE1 7EW |
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Foundling Museum | Paid Entry |
The Foundling Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, Britain’s first home for abandoned children. The museum houses a nationally important art collection as well as the world’s largest privately amassed collection of Handel memorabilia. The museum examines the work of the Foundling Hospital’s founder Thomas Coram, as well as the artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel, both major benefactors of the institution. It also illustrates how the Foundling Hospital’s charity work for children still carries on today through the child care organisation Coram. |
Foundling Museum, WC1N 1AZ |
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Freud Museum | Paid Entry |
The Freud Museum is dedicated to Sigmund Freud, who lived there with his family during the last year of his life. The study and library were preserved by Anna Freud after her father’s death. The centrepiece of the museum is the couch brought from Vienna on which his patients were asked to say whatever came to their mind without consciously selecting information, named the free association technique by him. |
Freud Museum, NW3 5SX |
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Geffrye Museum | Free |
NOTE – closed until early 2020. — A series of old almshouses that have been converted into a museum of interior decoration. Wonderfully old fashioned, and they have a range of changing displays throughout the year, including their annual Christmas decorations. A garden and decent cafe round up the museum. |
Geffrye Museum, E2 8EA |
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Grant Museum of Zoology | Free |
One of London’s more unusual and delightful museums — noted for its playful approach to the serious matter of zoological studies. Expect a huge collection of dead animals, from pickled worms to elephant skulls. Notable is the Micrarium, a dramatic display of tiny insects, the glass jar of moles, which is a sort of local mascot, and the display of plastic dinosaurs, if you can find it. |
Grant Museum of Zoology, WC1E 6DE |
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Greenwich Heritage Centre | Free |
Greenwich Heritage Centre is housed in the old ordnance factory and store at the historic Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. The museum tells stories about the Royal Borough through objects, paintings, prints, drawings, maps, photographs and deeds. Collection highlights include some truly weird and wonderful – exotic birds, a Victorian egg whisk, a baby alligator and even an elephant’s foot. |
Greenwich Heritage Centre, SE18 4DX |
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Guards Museum | Paid Entry |
A military museum based inside in Wellington Barracks near Buckingham Palace. The museum tells the story of the five regiments it represents, namely Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards, from the 17th century to the present day. The displays include many examples of different Guards uniforms, chronicling the evolving dress over time of the five regiments. There are also paintings, weapons, models, sculptures, and artefacts. |
Guards Museum, SW1E 6HQ |
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Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheater | Free |
A fairly modern building on the historic Guildhall that houses the City of London’s impressive art collection. There is a permanent display, of mostly Victorian art, but also a large section set aside for a regularly changing display in the basement. A monthly heritage piece is shown off next to the cloakroom. In the deep basement though is the uncovered remains of London’s Roman Amphitheater. |
Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheater, EC2V 5AE |
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Handel House Museum | Paid Entry |
The Handel House Museum is dedicated to the life and works of the German-born composer Handel, who made his home in London in 1712. The museum was opened in 2001 and comprises a carefully restored set of period rooms on the first and second floors of 25 Brook Street together with exhibition rooms in number 23, the adjacent house on the terrace. |
Handel House Museum, W1K 4HB |
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Headstone Manor Museum | Free |
Large local history museum covering the Harrow area. The museum, which is based in four listed buildings, hosts a number of temporary exhibitions and permanent displays about the history of the local area and detailing the significance of the historical site in which it is set. Harrow Museum is made up of four historic buildings, which are all located in the grounds of Headstone Manor, records of which date back to 825 AD. All the buildings are listed, and the site as a whole is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. |
Headstone Manor Museum, HA2 6PX |
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Heath Robinson Museum | Paid Entry |
A fairly new museum devoting to the drawings of Heath Robinson, best known for drawings of ridiculously complicated machines for achieving simple objectives. |
Heath Robinson Museum, HA5 1AE |
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Heathrow Exhibition | Free |
A small but informative permanent exhibition inside the university showing off the history of Heathrow Airport. Open most days, although can be closed if the university building is closed. Ian has Visited – review here. |
Heathrow Exhibition, W5 5RF |
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HMS Belfast | Paid Entry |
Explore this historic warship to discover what life was like on board for the crew at war and at sea from WW2 to 1963. Operated by the Imperial War Museum, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser and served during the Second World War and Korean War. |
HMS Belfast, SE1 2JH |
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Hogarth’s House | Free |
Hogarth’s House in Chiswick, built around 1700, was the country home of the great painter, engraver and satirist William Hogarth from 1749 until his death. Today the house is a Grade 1 listed building. Two floors of the house are open to visitors and the top floor houses a study/research room for use by appointment. The furnishing includes Shipway’s replica pieces and new displays presents the House as a home, as well as celebrating Hogarth’s life and work. |
Hogarth’s House, W4 2QN |
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Honeywood Museum | Free |
Honeywood Museum is a Grade II listed building next to the picturesque Carshalton Ponds in the heart of Carshalton’s Conservation Area. It has restored period details including the Edwardian Billiards Room, Drawing Room and Bathroom. There are exhibitions which tell the history of the house and the people who lived there. Look out for the collection of Edwardian toys on display in the Childhood Room. |
Honeywood Museum, SM5 3NX |
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Horniman Museum | Free |
An eclectic museum with a range of displays from musical instruments to stuffed animals and an aquarium. Very popular locally, and the gardens offer wide views across London. The museum mascot is the famously badly stuffed walrus. |
Horniman Museum, SE23 3PQ |
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House Mill | Paid Entry |
The House Mill is a major Grade I listed building on the River Lea. It is one of only four grade I listed buildings in the London Borough of Newham. The House Mill remains the “largest tidal mill left standing in Britain”, although the water wheels are not in operation. |
House Mill, E3 3DU |
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House of Illustration | Paid Entry |
A public art gallery in London devoted to illustration, which was opened in 2014 and founded by Sir Quentin Blake. Exhibitions display the art of illustration in many forms, including advertisements, animation, comic books and manga, children’s literature and picture books, political cartoons, scientific illustrations and fashion design. |
House of Illustration, N1C 4BH |
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Household Cavalry Museum | Paid Entry |
The official museum of the Household Cavalry and is located in the Horse Guards Parade grounds. Visitors can view the horses in the 18th-century working stables through a window partition. Exhibits explain the training and history of the regiment and include ceremonial uniforms, regalia, royal standards, awards, musical instruments, horse furniture and silverware. |
Household Cavalry Museum, SW1A 2AX |
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Imperial War Museum | Free |
Based in an imposing former hospital, this museum museum tells the stories of people’s experiences of modern war from WW1 to conflicts today. Often has a major exhibition on to compliment the main displays which feature everything from classic armaments to modern UN vehicles. A large collection of medals and the stories of the bravery that lead to them is in the upper floors. |
Imperial War Museum, SE1 6HZ |
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Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) | Paid Entry |
Contemporary art gallery with a number of exhibitions running and a cinema which runs themed viewings. Pricing is unusual in that it varies and is also free on Tuesdays. Cinema + exhibition ticket peak £13 Cinema + exhibition ticket off peak £8 Exhibition ticket £4 |
Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), SW1Y 5AH |
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Islington Museum | Free |
Conventional local history museum with a permanent display and usually a temporary exhibition. |
Islington Museum, EC1V 4NB |
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Jewel Tower | Paid Entry |
The Jewel Tower is a 14th-century surviving element of the royal Palace of Westminster. The small stone building sits opposite Parliament and has a modest display inside about its various history as royal wardrobe storage to housing imperial standards measures, and House of Lords archive. Has a small cafe in the ground floor, which is basic, but useful in this part of town. |
Jewel Tower, SW1P 3JX |
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Jewish Museum London | Paid Entry |
A museum of British Jewish life, history and identity. It has a number of permanent displays, as well as a regularly changing exhibition space, along with guided tours and talks. |
Jewish Museum London, NW1 7NB |
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Keats House | Paid Entry |
Discover the beauty of poetry and place in the home of the Romantic poet John Keats, now a museum and literary centre. Explore the life and work of Keats through new exhibits of his original manuscripts and artefacts which tell the story of how the young poet found inspiration, friendship, and love in this stunning Regency villa. |
Keats House, NW3 2RR |
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Kensington Palace | Paid Entry |
A working royal palace in the heart of London, it is still the residence of many members of the Royal Family. However a number of the state rooms and the gardens are open to the public to visit, and they have regular exhibitions. |
Kensington Palace, W8 4PX |
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Kenwood House | Free |
17th century mansion house which was given to the nation, and is now open to the public. Noted mostly for its impressive art collection, the building itself has been recently restored to its original grandeur. |
Kenwood House, NW3 7JR |
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Kirkaldy Testing Museum | Paid Entry |
A museum devoted to one massive machine, one of the first to methodically test metals for their strength at a time when the people still didn’t fully understand how materials could fail. It’s now a larger museum, with a lot of testing machines dotted around the original. Open on the 1st Sunday of the month for guided tours, and occasional Saturdays. |
Kirkaldy Testing Museum, SE1 0JF |
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Leighton House Museum | Paid Entry |
The former home of the Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, and is the only purpose-built studio-house open to the public in the UK It is most famous for the sumptuous interior decoration, which makes it one of the most remarkable buildings of the nineteenth century. From modest beginnings it grew into a ‘private palace of art’ featuring the extraordinary Arab Hall with its golden dome, intricate mosaics and walls lined with beautiful Islamic tiles. Upstairs, Leighton’s vast painting studio was one of the sights of London, filled with paintings in different stages of completion, the walls hung with examples of his work and lit by a great north window. In addition to the decoration, it contains a collection of paintings and sculpture by Leighton and his contemporaries. |
Leighton House Museum, W14 8LZ |
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London Mithraeum | Free |
The restored Temple of Mithras, now sited close to the site of its discovery underneath the Bloomberg office block. The Temple has been rebuilt in a dark room as an echo of how they used to be, and you are given a 15 minute “experience” in the temple. You are recommended to book tickets in advance as there might be quite a wait for a slot otherwise. A review is here. |
London Mithraeum, EC4N 8AA |
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London Motorcycle Museum | Paid Entry |
A museum that displays a range of over 150 classic and British motorcycles. Notable exhibits include the last Triumph Bonneville T140 out of the Meriden gates in 1983. |
London Motorcycle Museum, UB6 9LB |
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London Museum of Water and Steam | Paid Entry |
A former sewage and water pumping station which has since been turned into a museum. The main exhibits are a collection of steam powered pumping engines, which are often switched on. There is also a light railway — usually at weekends only — and a large display of how victorian era steam engines worked. |
London Museum of Water and Steam, TW8 0EN |
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London Transport Museum | Paid Entry |
A museum devoted to the history of public transport in London. From the early buses and trams, through to the world’s first underground railway and up to modern times. Numerous galleries showing objects from their collection, dotted around actual trains and buses. There is usually a temporary exhibition or two running throughout the year. |
London Transport Museum, WC2E 7BB |
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Mall Galleries | Free |
Mall Galleries is operated by the Federation of British Artists, a major visual arts charity established in 1961. Each year they host a programme of exhibitions, including work by emerging as well as well-known established artists. Many of the exhibitions focus on contemporary representational art. |
Mall Galleries, SW1Y 5BD |
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Museum of Army Music | Paid Entry |
This small but fascinating collection and memorabilia associated with military music from the last 200 years, including a bugle that sounded at the Charge of The Light Brigade. Photographic identity will be required to access the site. The museum includes instruments, manuscript, uniforms, medal displays, photographs and paintings. |
Museum of Army Music, TW2 7DU |
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Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising | Paid Entry |
The museum examines the history of consumer culture from Victorian times to the present day. The museum features over 12,000 original items including domestic “everyday” products, packaging, posters, toys and games. Set out in chronological order in the form of a “Time Tunnel” the museum gives visitors “a trip down memory lane”, and to see how the brands around us have evolved from the naive charm of Victorian times to the greater sophistication of today. It also reflects the change in shopping habits, the impact of transportation, media, the effects of two world wars and the gradual emancipation of women. |
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising, W11 1QT |
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Museum of Childhood | Free |
A building that’s part playground for today’s children, and a museum of old toys for adults to look at. On two floors, lots of glass cases with toys from early Victorian times right up to modern day collectables. There’s usually a themed exhibition on the upper floor. |
Museum of Childhood , E2 9PA |
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Museum of Croydon | Free |
Based inside the clocktower, the museum is stated to be a lifetime museum, which showcases historical and artefacts which were derived from the borough. The museum even includes things that the local IKEA sold when it first opened, such as furniture and the well-known catalogues. |
Museum of Croydon, CR9 1ET |
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Museum of Freemasonry | Free |
An impressive library and sizeable museum housed within the main headquarters of the Freemasons in England. Contrary to their secretive reputation, the museum is open to the public, and houses a large collection of historical objects, all linked by ties to Freemasonry. There is also usually a temporary exhibition in another room. Mon-Sat, if the Grand Temple is not in use there are up to tours of the rest of the building daily at 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. |
Museum of Freemasonry, WC2B 5AZ |
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Museum of Funeral History | Free |
A small museum in a basement floor that tells the history of funerals, from ancient Egypt to modern day. Mostly display boards and old photographs, its a personal collection of a local historian and employee of the funeral home it sits within. Open on Wednesdays – if making a special trip phone first (020 7837 1775) as sometimes they close for a funeral. Ian has Visited – review here. |
Museum of Funeral History, EC1R 4SL |
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Museum of London | Free |
A huge museum in the City devoted to the history, mostly of the centre of London, from Roman times right up to the modern day. A number of permanent galleries are laid out in chronological order, with a mixture of original objects and recreations. Particular highlights include the recreation of a Victorian street, the 2012 Olympic cauldron, and the Lord Mayor’s carriage. A number of displays change several times a year, with smaller free exhibitions, and usually one major paid-for exhibition. |
Museum of London, EC2Y 5HN |
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Museum of London Docklands | Free |
Housed in an old warehouse, this deceptively large museum details the history of the London Docklands, and maritime trade in general. Based over several floors, it wanders from issues of Britian’s overseas trade during the age of sail, up to the modern regeneration of the docklands area as a modern office complex. |
Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL |
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Museum of Methodism and John Wesley’s House | Free |
The Museum of Methodism tells the history of Methodism from John Wesley to the present day and its contribution to shaping Britain’s political and social history. The museum is a collection of objects from the religion’s history, and can be a bit confusing if you’re not familiar with the organisation, but interesting to browse. John Wesley’s House stands next to the Chapel. His home for over a decade it is one of the finest surviving small Georgian townhouses in London. There is also the Methodist chappel on the ground floor. |
Museum of Methodism and John Wesley’s House, EC1Y 1AU |
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Museum of Richmond | Free |
Local history museum with displays from mediaeval times to the present day, relating to the history of Richmond, Ham, Petersham and Kew. The museum’s highlights include: 16th-century glass from Richmond Palace; a model of Richmond Palace; and a painting, The Terrace and View from Richmond Hill, Surrey by Dutch draughtsman and painter Leonard Knyff (1650-1722). |
Museum of Richmond, TW9 1TP |
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Museum of the Order of St John | Free |
Houses in an old stone gate house, the museum tells the dual story of the old military order of St John, and its ongoing off-shoot, the medical charity, the St Johns’ Ambulance. The collections of artifacts from the history of the Order of St John are extremely varied, covering all aspects of the history of an Order founded in the eleventh century and operating in most European countries. The St John Ambulance has a history spanning over 125 years and covering over 40 countries worldwide. It was founded by the British Order of St John and inspired by the medical traditions of the Hospitallers. |
Museum of the Order of St John, EC1M 4DA |
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Museum of Wimbledon | Free |
A modest sized local history museum run by a local history group and volunteers. The emphasis is on local history. The Wimbledon Society also runs the adjacent Village Hall Trust Gallery, which is used for photographic and other exhibitions. |
Museum of Wimbledon, SW19 4QN |
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Musical Museum | Paid Entry |
The Musical Museum contains one of the world’s foremost collections of self-playing musical instruments, and the world’s largest collection of historic musical rolls. The museum houses rare working specimens of player pianos, orchestrions, reed organs, and violin players. The largest exhibits include a fully restored Wurlitzer theatre orga. The instruments and exhibits are arranged over three storeys, and the building also houses a concert hall which doubles as a cinema for events. |
Musical Museum, TW8 0DU |
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National Army Museum | Free |
Large recently refurbished museum devoted to the British Army. Laid out in five thematic zones, focusing on the army’s history, its work, its conflict, its role overseas, and the reaction of British society to the army. A review is here. |
National Army Museum, SW3 4HT |
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National Gallery | Free |
Founded in 1824, this is the national collection and houses over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. It is among the most visited art museums in the world. Apart from the main collections, there are regular exhibitions, talks and daily tours of the galleries. |
National Gallery, WC2N 5DN |
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National Maritime Museum | Free |
Based within Greenwich Park, the impressive building houses the national collection of maritime history. Exhibits range from full size barges to models of mighty sailing ships, along with the history of the marine trade in the UK. Some exhibitions are charged for, but you can also take in the other museums in the area which are associated with each other. |
National Maritime Museum, SE10 9NF |
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National Portrait Gallery | Free |
The gallery houses portraits of historically important and famous British people, selected on the basis of the significance of the sitter, not that of the artist. The collection includes photographs and caricatures as well as paintings, drawings and sculpture. One of its best-known images is the Chandos portrait, the most famous portrait of William Shakespeare. |
National Portrait Gallery, WC2H 0HE |
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Natural History Museum | Free |
One of the great museums of the Victorian era. The famous frontage contains a huge number of galleries filled with animal collections, skeletons and fossils. A number of galleries also cover geology and the planet earth itself. Most of the museum is free to visit, but there are usually a few large paid-for exhibitions each year. During the holiday season expect queues to get in. |
Natural History Museum, SW7 5BD |
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Natural History Museum at Tring | Free |
A collection of animals gifted to the nation in 1937, laid out in a grand Victorian house. It’s a sizeable collection and combined with the quirky house an enjoyable place to visit. |
Natural History Museum at Tring, HP23 6AP |
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North Weald Airfield Museum | Paid Entry |
The museum is situated at what was the main entrance to the former Royal Air Force North Weald fighter base. On the ground floor the collections are set out in five themed rooms and an interconnecting corridor. The story is told through a collection of images and artefacts in the main exhibit rooms. |
North Weald Airfield Museum, CM16 6AA |
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Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret | Paid Entry |
Hidden in the roof above an old church, this is a 19th century operating theatre, herb garret and museum of surgery. It’s also on the original site of St Thomas’ Hospital. It’s almost two museums in one, the restored old operating theatre itself, and next to it the herb garret, which was an early pharmacy. Note that entrance is via a narrow spiral staircase. |
Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, SE1 9RY |
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Old Royal Naval College | Free |
A cluster of buildings that used to house the Royal Navy’s college, but is now partially a public museum, and part used by the local university. Most famous for the impressive painted hall, where Admiral Nelson lay in state following the Battle of Trafalgar. There is also a Georgian era church, and on occasions, the tudor bowling alley is open for tours. |
Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9LW |
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Osterley Park and House | Paid Entry |
Large Georgian era mansion house set in well maintained gardens, that are one of the largest open spaces in West London. The mansion house retains much of the original furniture and fittings, donate by the Earl of Jersey when the National Trust took over the building. |
Osterley Park and House, TW7 4RB |
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Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology | Free |
Named after the founding father of modern Egyptology, this museum is housed within the university, and is a classic old-fashioned collection. Expect lots of glass cases with lots of stones, pots and artifacts, each carefully labeled. Might not appeal to people after bit more interaction, but that’s part of its appeal, a solidly good collection of antiquities to look at. |
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, WC1E 6BT |
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Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery | Paid Entry |
Recently refurbished mansion house with new gallery space. The Regency Manor, built between 1800 and 1804, is a rare and spectacular example of a building designed, built and lived in by Sir John Soane himself. With its stripped classical detail, canopy domed ceilings, radical decorative paint schemes and inventive use of space and light, Pitzhanger features many architectural elements that Soane adapted for his later buildings including Dulwich Picture Gallery and his city home in Lincoln’s Inn Fields. |
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, W5 5EQ |
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Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum | Free |
A small collection of Polish historical records which started in the UK during WW2 and was continued during the Communist era. In practical terms, this meant the preservation of historical records, documents, regimental colours, uniforms, insignia, works of art, literature and many personal effects which had once belonged to Polish statesmen, diplomats, academics, military leaders and ordinary men and women. It continues to function as an independent cultural and research institution. |
Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, SW7 1PT |
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Pollock’s Toy Museum | Paid Entry |
A small museum that started as a collection from a toy manufacturer, but swiftly outgrew its original home. The collection has been built up by purchases, donations from friends, family and the public. It is an independent family run concern. It is run more for the benefit of the public and to display the collection than for profit. |
Pollock’s Toy Museum, W1T 2HL |
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RAF Museum | Free |
Located in a former airfield in North London, this museum is a collection of hangers charting the history of military aviation. Everything from models of early planes to actual jets and bombers are on display. A collection of helicopters is also included. There are usually a couple of temporary exhibitions on throughout the year as well. |
RAF Museum, NW9 5LL |
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Ragged School Museum | Paid Entry |
At the heart of the Ragged School Museum is a unique classroom, which recreates a glimpse of Victorian life. The classroom is set aside once a month as part of the Sunday Open House activities for anyone, no matter their age, to experience a lesson centred around the three R’s. All lessons are led by an actor in full Victorian costume. The room has been recreated in one of Dr Barnardo’s original classrooms, restored as it was in the 1870s. The classroom is equipped with authentic and well-used school desks, slate writing boards and chalks, blackboards and easels and even dunce hats. |
Ragged School Museum, E3 4RR |
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Rainham Hall | Paid Entry |
This mansion house is one of the country’s finest examples of an early 18th century merchant’s home. It is just two minutes’ walk from Rainham Station, in the heart of the village. Rainham Hall has been home to a richly diverse cast of characters, and the house is laid out in period style to tell the story of its previous occupants |
Rainham Hall, RM13 9YN |
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Ranger’s House (Wernher Collection) | Paid Entry |
Ranger’s House is a Georgian villa in Greenwich Park which houses The Wernher Collection, a collection of works of art amassed by diamond magnate Sir Julius Wernher (1850-1912). Nearly 700 works of art are on display, including early religious paintings and Dutch Old Masters, tiny carved Gothic ivories, fine Renaissance bronzes and silver treasures revealing the genius of medieval craftsmen and the unparalleled quality of Renaissance decorative arts. Review here |
Ranger’s House (Wernher Collection), SE10 8QX |
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Red House | Paid Entry |
The only house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, founder of the Arts & Crafts movement, Red House is a building of extraordinary architectural and social significance. Designed by Philip Webb and completed in 1860, it was described by Edward Burne-Jones as ‘the beautifullest place on earth’. Acquired by the Trust only 10 years ago, the rooms at Red House give a unique view of William Morris’ earliest designs and decorative schemes. Its secrets are slowly being revealed, conservation work in 2013 uncovered an unknown Pre-Raphaelite wall painting and a very early Morris repeating floral pattern. These original features and furniture by Morris and Philip Webb, stained glass and paintings by Burne-Jones, the bold architecture and a garden designed to ‘clothe the house’, add up to a fascinating and rewarding place to visit. |
Red House, DA6 8JF |
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Royal College of Physicians Museum | Free |
There is a one-room museum in the basement of this impressive post-war building which shows off the history of the Royal College and of medication in general. However, there is usually a much larger temporary exhibition held in the upper floors as well. |
Royal College of Physicians Museum, NW1 4LE |
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Royal Institution (inc Faraday Museum) | Free |
A museum in the basement of the Royal Institution that showcases the history of science. From the odds and ends that became the first electrical transformer to the tube that told us why the sky is blue, view the actual objects Ri scientists built and used in some of the world’s most famous experiments. The highlight of the exhibition is Faraday’s magnetic laboratory displayed as it was in the 1850s opposite a current state-of-the-art nanotechnology lab. |
Royal Institution (inc Faraday Museum), W1S 4BS |
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Royal London Hospital Museum | Free |
The museum covers the history of the hospital since its foundation in 1740 and the wider history of medicine in the East End. It includes works of art, surgical instruments, medical and nursing equipment, uniforms, medals, documents and books. There is a forensic medicine section which includes original material on Jack the Ripper, Dr Crippen and the Christie murders. There are also displays on Joseph Merrick (the ‘Elephant Man’) and former Hospital nurse Edith Cavell. The museum is located in the crypt of a 19th-century church behind the hospital. |
Royal London Hospital Museum, E1 2AA |
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Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum | Free |
The museum collections cover all aspects of British pharmacy history, from the 1400s up to the present day. Ian has visited – review here. |
Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum, E1W 1AW |
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Salvation Army Heritage Centre | Free |
A decent sized museum devoted to the history of the Salvation Army, although it does tend to presume some level of knowledge about the organisation first. Ian Visited it – review here. |
Salvation Army Heritage Centre, SE5 8BQ |
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Science Museum | Free |
One of the great Victorian era museums devoted to the history of industry and sciences. Lots of themed galleries ranging from the early days of the industrial revolution right up to the space age and computing. Expect lots of large original artifacts, huge steam engines, rocket engines, cars and right in the roof, a vast collection of aircraft. |
Science Museum, SW7 2DD |
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Sewing Machine Museum | Free |
Open for just a few hours on just one day of the month, this marvel of industrial heritage is as much a delight for the artifacts as for the way they have been laid out. The museum is an offshoot of a company that makes its living selling and maintaining sewing machines – mainly the large industrial models today – but the owner, Ray Rushton has built up a huge collection of vintage models and in the Millennium year, he opened up the collection to the public. The collection is actually too vast to point out specific objects of historic note – it is simply a visual feast of metal and wood and china. The museum is only open on day a month, and only between 2pm-5pm. Entry is free, although a donation in one of the charity tins is appreciated. A voluminous booklet about the museum’s history is freely handed out. Ian had Visited – review here |
Sewing Machine Museum, SW17 7AA |
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Sherlock Holmes Museum | Paid Entry |
A slightly tacky museum that seeks to recreate the fictional home of the famous detective as if it was a real place. A sort of pastiche of real heritage museums that preserve the memory of real people. Rather overpriced for what it offers. |
Sherlock Holmes Museum, NW1 6XE |
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Sir John Soane’s Museum | Free |
Formerly the home of the neo-classical architect John Soane. It holds many drawings and models of Soane’s projects and the collections of paintings, drawings and antiquities that he assembled. It’s a rather eclectic display mirroring the collector, and can be quite cluttered, in a sort of charming sort of layout. Note – entry is by timed ticket, which can be reserved for free from their website. |
Sir John Soane’s Museum, WC2A 3BP |
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Somerset House | Free |
A collection of neo-classical buildings that now house a range of art galleries and museums, with various temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Also offers tours of its historic undercroft at weekends, and often uses the main courtyard for large events. Although admission to the site is free, some of the exhibitions will be paid entry. |
Somerset House, WC2R 1LA |
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St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum | Free |
The Barts Museum tells the history of the hospital and its work in caring for the sick and injured. The collections include historic surgical instruments, sculptures, medieval archives, and works of art, including paintings by William Hogarth. The museum is located under the North Wing archway. |
St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum, EC1A 7BE |
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Stephens Collection | Free |
A small museum that tracks the life of Henry ‘Inky’ Stephens with artefacts and memorabilia from the history of the man, his business and his passions. Expect a number of glass cases showing off the history of the industrial production of ink and related printing goods. The site was chosen because the grand house the museum sits within was the founder’s private home, which he later donated to the local community. |
Stephens Collection, N3 3QE |
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The British Museum | Free |
One of the UK’s main national museums, although despite it’s name, it focuses mostly on other countries. Has an impressive collection from Egypt, Greece, Roman remains and a host of other item specific collections such as the clocks or money galleries. Most of the galleries lead off a huge central courtyard which is under glass. The museum is free to visit, although the major temporary exhibitions often have to be paid for. You can easily spend a day there. |
The British Museum, WC1B 3DG |
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The Crypt Museum | Free |
A museum is the crypt underneath the City of London’s oldest church. It shows off the history of the church itself, but also has a number of Roman artifacts, including a mosaic floor. It’s surprisingly large, and delightedly dimly lit for a very atmospheric appearance. Note that the museum is closed during church services. |
The Crypt Museum, EC3R 5BJ |
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The Design Museum | Free |
A museum devoted to the design of modern life – now based in a new home in South Kensington. The main museum is free to visit, but some exhibitions are chargeable. |
The Design Museum, W8 6AG |
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The Francis Crick Institute | Free |
A newly opened research centre next to St Pancras station that also includes a public exhibition space. A range of regular exhibitions, and public talks are offered. |
The Francis Crick Institute , NW1 1AT |
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The Queen’s Gallery | Paid Entry |
A public art gallery that displays some of the works from the Royal Collection, which is owned by the Monarch on behalf of the nation. There is usually a change of displays every six months, with each fresh exhibition themed around a specific topic. Unlike many art galleries, this one only ever displays items owned by the Monarch and never includes outside items. |
The Queen’s Gallery, SW1A 1AA |
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Tower Bridge | Paid Entry |
World famous Victorian bridge with a raising bascule. The bridge itself is free to walk across, and their website lists when it will open for ships. There is also a paid exhibition space, which runs in the upper walkways, and then across the road to the original steam powered engine rooms. Offers great views of the city from the upper walkway. |
Tower Bridge, SE1 2UP |
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Transport Museum Acton Depot | Paid Entry |
A giant warehouse which houses the main storage for London’s Transport Museum, it is open for occasional open weekends, and semi-regular tours. The warehouse contains a number of old trains, lots of old buses and trams — and a huge collection of “scraps” of transport heritage. Not laid out formally, but in a way, all the better for it. |
Transport Museum Acton Depot, W3 9BQ |
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Turners House | Paid Entry |
In 1813 England’s great landscape painter JMW Turner built a small villa, Sandycombe Lodge, on a large plot near the Thames at Twickenham. Here, the painter became an architect, guided by the hand of his friend John Soane. Entry is by pre-booked ticket only. |
Turners House, TW1 2LR |
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Upminster Tithe Barn – Museum of Nostalgia | Free |
The Barn dates from 1450 and was part of an estate that supported the Abbey of Waltham. The Abbott’s hunting lodge next door was later converted to a private house and is now home to Upminster Golf Club. It wasn’t until 1976 that the Barn was refurbished and then opened as an agricultural museum. Nowadays it is called “The Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia” and houses a broad display of domestic items from the last century as well as agricultural machinery. It is open on occasional weekends throughout the year. Ian has Visited – review here. |
Upminster Tithe Barn – Museum of Nostalgia, RM14 1AU |
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Valence House Museum | Free |
The only surviving manor house in Dagenham, Valence House dates back to Medieval times and is still partially surrounded by a moat. Following refurbishment in 2010, galleries tell the story of Barking and Dagenham and its people throughout the ages. |
Valence House Museum, RM8 3HT |
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Valentines Mansion | Free |
The house was built in around 1696 for Elizabeth Tillotson and her family, after the death of her husband, the Archbishop of Canterbury. At that time the new brick house stood in open countryside, several miles from the edge of London. Restored a few years ago, it’s now a local history museum and houses a number of themed rooms. Guided tours are also available. |
Valentines Mansion, IG1 4XA |
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Vestry House Museum | Free |
Vestry House Museum presents the history of Waltham Forest. Situated in Walthamstow Village, the building used to house the parish workhouse, and was later a police station and private home. It now contains themed displays capturing the heritage of the local area and includes the famous Bremer Car, a Victorian parlour, costume gallery and wonderful display of locally manufactured toys and games. |
Vestry House Museum, E17 9NH |
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Victoria and Albert Museum | Free |
One of the big museums of London, the V&A is primarily devoted to the arts and fashions. It houses a large number of galleries, housing everything from interior furniture, to decorations and artwork. The cast room is famous for its vast plaster cast models of famous international monuments, and a number of originals will be found in the medieval galleries. Overseas collections are included, mostly from Asia, with some European. The museum regularly has paid-for large exhibitions as well. |
Victoria and Albert Museum, SW7 2RL |
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Wallace Collection | Free |
A grand mansion in the heart of London that’s now an art gallery and in part, a museum of military armour and weapons. It exists thanks to a bequest which gifted it to the nation, on condition that none of the objects leave — so the art gallery houses some incredibly famous paintings which can only ever be seen here. The military armour display is a bit odd in this setting, but interesting in its own right. |
Wallace Collection, W1U 3BN |
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Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum | Paid Entry |
The museum is housed in and around a Grade II listed former Victorian waste water pumping station. It is devoted to the technology, transport and industrial history of Walthamstow and the Lea Valley. As well as the original and unique pair of Marshall ‘C’ class steam engines, the museum includes a machine workshop driven by line shafting, a collection of small pumps of different types, a two-thirds scale model of the famous London ‘B’ type bus built in Walthamstow by AEC and a display detailing the history of local railways. Elsewhere on the site are a portable Marshall steam boiler, an original 1968 Victoria Line tube car, an extensive collection of fire fighting equipment and various historic vehicles. |
Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum, E17 8AX |
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Wandle Industrial Museum | Paid Entry |
In the museum you will find displays showing the history of the River Wandle and the industries that used the river’s power. From the early mills that were flour mills to mills still working in the 20th century. There are displays about the more famous names associated with the Wandle. There is opportunity to ‘take snuff’ and trace the course of the River Wandle discovering the location of the mills along it. Among the permanent displays is a large scale model of the William Morris Works and smaller models of Merton Priory and the Liberty Print Works. |
Wandle Industrial Museum, CR4 3UD |
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Wellcome Collection | Free |
Large museum devoted to medical history — with a large permenant gallery of medical developments and the personal collection of its founder. Also hosts a number of regularly changing major displays and events. |
Wellcome Collection, NW1 2BE |
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Wellington Arch | Paid Entry |
A monumental arch on the edge of Hyde Park that also conceals a museum and viewing gallery. There’s a permanent display of the arch’s history, how it was moved to its current location, the controversy about the statue on the top, and its use as a small police station. There is also a running temporary exhibition in the upper galleries, where you can also go outside to the viewing gallery for wonderful views towards Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace. |
Wellington Arch, W1J 7JZ |
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Whitechapel Gallery | Free |
Opened in 1901, it was one of the first publicly funded galleries for temporary exhibitions in London. It has a long track record for education and outreach projects, now focused on the Whitechapel area. It exhibits the work of contemporary artists, as well as organising retrospective exhibitions and shows that are of interest to the local community. Entry is free to the main gallery, but paid exhibitions are also hosted. |
Whitechapel Gallery, E1 7QX |
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Whitewebbs Museum of Transport | Paid Entry |
Situated in an old water pumping building, this is a small, but interesting collection of transport memorabilia and vehicles. Usually only open on Tuesdays, and the last Sunday of the month. |
Whitewebbs Museum of Transport, EN2 9HW |
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Wiener Library | Free |
The world’s oldest institution devoted to the study of the Holocaust, its causes and legacies. Although primarily a library and research house, it runs regular public exhibitions on the ground floor which focus on Jewish history and the Holocaust. |
Wiener Library, WC1B 5DP |
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