 |
Exhibitions and Museum Review
London has some of the best exhibitions, museums and galleries in the world. From the renowned British Museum to the recently opened Tate Modern art gallery, there is something of interest to everyone. And the great news is that most of the museums and galleries are free to visit, unless you wish to see a really special display.
Everything from visiting one of the many wonderful museums exhibition and galleries to spending an afternoon in one of the various historic London pubs. And Incidentally, many of the markets have large covered sections, so there's always something to do.
London is an expensive place to visit but there is so much you can see and do in London for free even when the weather isn't that great. My first choice would be to spend some time in one or three of the fantastic exhibitions and museums I've listed below:
Everything from visiting one of the many wonderful museums exhibition and galleries to spending an afternoon in one of the various historic London pubs. And many of the markets have large covered sections, so there's always something to do. London is an expensive place to visit but there is so much you can see and do in London for free even when the weather isn't that great. My first choice would be to spend some time in one or three of the fantastic exhibitions I've listed below:
Apsley House Museum which has the prestigious address of No.1 London, is one of the finest residences in the city. Home to the Duke of Wellington, it was designed by Robert Adam and built between 1771 and 1778. Wellington's military success brought him many impressive gifts from across Europe received from grateful kings and emperors. Napoleon would have turned in his grave to know that the nude he commissioned of himself, and hated, now stands at the bottom of the staircase.
Bank of England Museum
If you want to get closer to the Bank's history and are visiting London, the Bank's Museum and exhibition provides a unique insight into the history of the Bank and its business, alongside a great deal of material about the Bank today. The history of the Bank is naturally one of interest, but also of continuing relevance to the Bank today.
Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee
The Bramah Museum, only two minutes from London Bridge Station, is the world's first museum devoted entirely to the history of tea and coffee. It tells the commercial and social 400 year old history of two of the world's most important commodities since their arrival in Europe from the Far East and Africa.
Carlyle's House Museum
This Queen Anne terrace house was the home of the Victorian writer and historian, Thomas Carlyle, known as the Sage of Chelsea. The house contains the original furnishings and personal items of Carlyle and his wife Jane. The atmospheric rooms, soundproofed study and simple kitchen are just as they were at the time of his death in 1881.
Florence Nightingale Museum
The Museum and exhibition is located in the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital, at parking level, just five minutes walk from the London Eye and the vibrant attractions along the South Bank. We are just over the river and a short walk from the Houses of Parliament and a fifteen minute walk from the Imperial War Museum. Admission to the exhibition is Adult £5.80 Child £4.80 Concession £4.80 Family £16.00 (two adults and up to four children).
Geffrye Museum
The Geffrye Museum depicts the quintessential style of English middle-class living rooms. Its collections of furniture, textiles, paintings and decorative arts are displayed in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day.
Horniman Museum
The Horniman, through its collections and related exhibitions and events, seeks to encourage a wider appreciation of the World, its peoples and their cultures, and its environments.
Keats House Museum
Keats House is the museum where the poet John Keats lived from 1818 to 1820, and is the setting which inspired some of Keats’s most memorable poetry. Here, Keats wrote 'Ode to a Nightingale', and fell in love with Fanny Brawne, the girl next door. It was from this house that he travelled to Rome, where he died of tuberculosis aged just 25.
Kew Bridge Steam Museum
Steam power comes alive at London's Kew Bridge Steam Museum. Built in the 19th century to supply London with water, the museum is recognised as the most important historic site of the water supply industry in Britain. Marvel at the world's largest collection of steam pumping engines, many of which you can see working every weekend. Ride on London's only steam railway every Sunday from April to October. See how London's water supply has evolved from Roman times to the present day. Kew Bridge Steam Museum is open every Tuesday to Sunday and is operated by an independent educational charity.
London Canal Museum
At the London Canal Museum and exhibition you can see inside a narrowboat cabin, learn about the history of London's canals, about the cargoes carried, the people who lived and worked on the waterways, and the horses that pulled their boats. This is the only London museum of inland waterways and is situated at King's Cross, an accessible central London location.
National Army Museum
Visit the National Army Museum and find out how Britain's past has helped to shape our present and our future. Discover the impact our Army has had on the story of Britain, Europe and the world, and see how the actions of a few can affect the futures of many.
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum comprises three sites: the Maritime Galleries, the Royal Observatory and the Queen's House. Together these constitute one museum working to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people
Percival David Foundation is hidden off the beaten track, and is home to one of the finest collections of Chinese ceramics outside China and a library of East Asian and Western books relating to Chinese art and culture. Both were presented to the University of London in 1950 by the late Sir Percival David, the Foundation now exists to promote the appreciation, study and teaching of the art and culture of China and the surrounding regions. With nearly 2000 objects dating back to the 10th century this is well worth a visit.
Sherlock Holmes Museum
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H. Watson lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881-1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The house was last used as a lodging house in 1936 and the famous 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully maintained as it was kept in Victorian Times. Step back in time, and when you visit London, remember to visit The World's Most Famous address - 221b BAKER STREET - the Official Home of Sherlock Holmes!
Sir John Soane's Museum
John Soane was born in 1753, the son of a bricklayer, and died after a long and distinguished career, in 1837. Soane designed this house to live in, but also as a setting for his antiquities and his works of art. After the death of his wife (1815), he lived here alone, constantly adding to and rearranging his collections. Having been deeply disappointed by the conduct of his two sons, one of whom survived him, he determined to establish the house as a museum and exhibition to which 'amateurs and students' should have access.
Gilbert Collection
The Gilbert Collection includes boxes made in Paris, Berlin, London, Dresden and Vienna, often for kings and emperors such as Louis XV and Napoleon. The stars of this stunning collection are the brilliantly jewelled boxes made for Frederick the Great of Prussia, whose energy and ambition are marked by six overwhelming and richly worked confections of gold, diamonds and hardstones.
The Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum is unique in its coverage of conflicts, especially those involving Britain and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present day. It seeks to provide for, and to encourage, the study and understanding of the history of modern war and ‘war-time experience’. It is proud to be regarded as one of the essential sights of London.
The Jewish Museum
Founded in 1904 with just 26 donated objects, the Museum has grown a thousand-fold, and its collections now comprise 27,000 items, ranging from archaeological artifacts to works by today's cutting-edge artists. Whether hundreds of years old or newly created, each object collected or exhibited by the Museum embodies an aspect of a truly universal story: at once ancient and modern, global and local, material and spiritual.
The Old Operating Theatre Museum
A visit to the exhibition is an experience that gives individuals a profound insight into the past, stimulating interest in a whole range of issues about past and present health. Download your Teacher Pack here, with all the information you need to plan your visit!
Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection is a national museum in an historic London town house. In 25 galleries are unsurpassed displays of French 18th century painting, furniture and porcelain with superb Old Master paintings and a world class armoury.
Click Here to review more Museums in London.
Again, for your convenience I have provided an interactive London Map link here to give you an overview of the city which will help you locate the various exhibitions , just click the map book.
Click to leave these exibitions to explore London

|
|