Museums
The British Museum
An Act of Parliament establishing the British Museum received the royal assent on 7 June 1753. Today the British Museum holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures. General entry is free but some temporary exhibitions charge entrance fees. The recently opened Great Court designed by Sir Norman Foster welcomes visitors, houses the famous Reading Room, shops, cafés, a balcony restaurant. A ‘must visit’ museum – Do give some thought to whether you think the Elgin Marbles should be returned to Greece.
The National Gallery
The National Gallery looks out over Trafalgar Square in the very heart of London. It houses a permanent collection of Western European paintings dating from about 1250 onwards. The entire National Gallery permanent collection and long-term loans are illustrated and described in the collection online. But don’t just surf the website. The wealth of art housed here calls on visitors to make many visits. General entry is free but some temporary exhibitions charge entrance fees.
Victoria & Albert Museum
If you are an art and design devotee, the V&A South Kensington is for you. Unquestionably this is one of the world's greatest museums. The new British Galleries opened at the end of November 2001 and offer displays of the very best of historic British furniture, textiles, dress, ceramics, glass, jewellery, silver, prints, paintings and sculpture. Applied art and design collections are unrivalled in their scope and diversity. Discover 3000 years' worth of amazing artifacts from many of the world's richest cultures including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles, wallpapers and paintings. Visitors will marvel at the remarkable interiors of this vast architectural treasure. The Madejski Garden in the Italianate courtyard opened on 5 July 2005 and is a stylish, elegant place to meet. It provides a central point from which to explore the museum. On dry days, take your food from the newly expanded café/restaurant outside and relax in this unique setting.
V&A Museum of Childhood
The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green houses one of the world's largest and oldest collections of toys and childhood artefacts. The collection dates from the 16th century to the present day & features dolls, teddy bears, toy soldiers, train sets, model cars, puppets, rocking horses, costumes, board games and early jigsaw puzzles. School parties are regular visitors. A taste of themes exhibitions held here include the Space Age, Sweets/Chocolate, Young Runaway Slaves, Toys From India, Soft Furnishings for Children, Beatrix Potter’s Garden – and many more.
Leighton House Museum
Leighton House Museum is the former studio-house of the great Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896). The house is exceptionally beautiful and is located on the edge of London's Holland Park.
Sir John Soane's Museum
Sir John Soane was one of England's most influential & original architects. His beautiful Georgian terrace was bequeathed to the nation in 1823. Visitors are amazed by of collections of antiquities, picture rooms & much more. The complete series of Hogarth's A Rake's Progress is one of its many attractions.
Address: 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP. Open: Tuesday to Saturday. 10.00 - 17.00. First Tuesday of the Month open late from18.00 - 21.00. Admission- Free
Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum has an unparalleled collection covering all aspects of twentieth and twenty-first century conflict involving Britain and the Commonwealth. It illustrates and records all aspects of modern war, and of the individual's experience of war, whether allied or enemy, service or civilian, military or political, social or cultural. Its rôle embraces the causes, course and consequences of conflict and it has an essentially educational purpose. The Museum’s five branches include Imperial War Museum London which houses the award-winning Holocaust exhibition; the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast; the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, housed in Churchill’s secret headquarters below Whitehall; Imperial War Museum Duxford, a world-renowned aviation and heritage complex, and Imperial War Museum North.
Geffrye Museum
The Geffrye Museum displays a chronological sequence of period rooms showing English urban middle-class interiors. The museum interprets its collections of decorative and fine arts within a social historical framework. Housed in a former almshouse, it features period gardens.
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.
The Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum is a cultural and educational resource of national and international importance. It houses outstanding collections & organises a lively programme of exhibitions. It aims to explore & preserve Jewish heritage, celebrate diversity & challenge prejuice.
The Museum of London
Museum of London is one of the largest urban museums in the world. It is currently redeveloping its lower galleries to retell the story of London and Londoners from 1666 to the present day. The £20.5 million project will revitalize the galleries and create a glass window overlooking London Wall. The new galleries will open in spring 2010 with significantly increased access to the Museum’s collections, both in the galleries and online, and will also include a new Clore Learning Centre, a theatre and The Sackler Hall containing an information and coffee point. Find out more about supporting this project at www.museumoflondon.org.uk