We are all familiar with London’s fantastic museums.
Everyone knows the likes of the British Museum, the Natural History Museums and the Science Museum- but did you know that London has many more museums to offer its guests?
The saying ‘you are never too far from a museum in the city’ is common amongst Londoners, and unlike most sayings it’s actually based in truth.
In fact, you’ll find a staggering 192 museums in London where you can learn about pretty much anything you like.
If you’ve visited London before and are looking for a new way to enjoy the city, or perhaps it’s your first time and you want to try something a little different, then take a look at some of the weirdest, most interesting, and extraordinary museums that London offers.
Make the most of your time in one of the finest luxury hotels in West End London; The Piccadilly West End Hotel. Not only is it truly gorgeous, it’s also home to the best Indian afternoon tea London offers, and is in the heart of the city.
Now let’s take a look at some of the best and most curious museums on offer in London.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
The Sir John Soane’s Museum is a unique and fascinating museum located in Holborn.
The museum was founded by Sir John Soane, a distinguished architect, and houses his expansive personal collection of art, antiquities, and curiosities.
The collection includes a variety of objects, ranging from ancient Egyptian sarcophagi to paintings by Hogarth and Turner.
One of the most unique aspects of the museum is its layout – the objects are displayed in a labyrinthine arrangement of rooms and corridors, which gives visitors a sense of exploration and discovery.
The museum also offers a range of talks and events throughout the year, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into the collection and its history.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens
The Horniman Museum and Gardens is a fascinating museum located in Forest Hill, South London.
The museum was founded by Frederick Horniman, a Victorian tea trader and avid collector, and houses his eclectic collection of natural history specimens, cultural objects, and musical instruments.
The museum’s galleries are arranged thematically, with exhibits exploring topics such as anthropology, music, and natural history. One of the highlights of the museum is its extensive collection of taxidermy, including a walrus that was famously exhibited in Trafalgar Square in the 19th century.
The museum also boasts extensive gardens, featuring a range of plants and wildlife, as well as an aquarium and a butterfly house.
The Cartoon Museum
The Cartoon Museum is a small but charming museum located in Bloomsbury.
The museum is dedicated to the art of cartoons, comics, and caricatures, and houses a collection of over 6,000 works of art.
The collection includes everything from political cartoons to graphic novels, and showcases the work of British cartoonists throughout the centuries. The museum also hosts a range of exhibitions and events, including talks and workshops, providing an opportunity to learn more about the art of cartoons and their history in Britain.
The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising
The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is a truly unique museum located in Notting Hill, and may not sound very interesting on the face of it- but it’s really worth the trip!
The museum is dedicated to the history of branding and advertising and houses a collection of over 12,000 items, including packaging, posters, and advertisements.
The exhibits are arranged chronologically, taking visitors on a journey through the history of consumer culture, from Victorian times to the present day.
There is also a range of interactive exhibits and workshops, providing an opportunity to explore the world of branding and advertising in a fun and engaging way.
The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret is a wonderfully quirky and macabre museum located in the roof-space of St Thomas’ Church in Southwark, London.
The museum explores the gruesome history of medicine and surgery, with a particular focus on the Victorian era. Visitors can see the operating theatre itself, which was used in the 19th century, as well as a collection of surgical instruments and other medical objects.
The museum also features an herb garret, which showcases the use of herbs in medicine.
The London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is a fascinating museum located in Covent Garden, right in the centre of the city and not too far from your hotels near Piccadilly Circus.
The museum explores the history of London’s transport system, from its early days to the present.
Visitors can see a range of vehicles, including buses, trains, and even a wonderful 1930s underground station and one of the very first carriages that carried passengers on the underground in 1853.
The museum also features interactive exhibits and activities, providing an opportunity to learn about the technology and engineering behind London’s transport system.
The Grant Museum of Zoology
The Grant Museum of Zoology can be found in Bloomsbury, and offers a wonderful insight into the natural world.
The museum houses a collection of over 68,000 specimens, including skeletons, taxidermy, and preserved animals.
The collection includes a range of animals, from the extinct dodo to the endangered pangolin. Visitors can also see specimens collected by famous naturalists such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.
The Florence Nightingale Museum
The Florence Nightingale Museum is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Florence Nightingale, the famous nurse who revolutionized nursing during the Crimean War.
The museum is located in St Thomas’ Hospital in Lambeth, London, where Nightingale worked. Visitors can see a range of objects related to Nightingale’s life, including her writing desk and her famous lamp.
The museum also explores the history of nursing and healthcare more broadly.
The Freud Museum
In the artsy and ever trendy Hampstead, you’ll find the Freud Museum.
The museum is dedicated to the life and work of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, and houses his former home and office.
Visitors can see a range of objects related to Freud’s life and work, including his famous couch and his personal library. The museum also features a range of exhibitions and events exploring the history and practice of psychoanalysis.
London’s Many Museums
Lonodn is a city of incredible history and culture, so it should come as no surprise that it is home to plenty of wonderful museums. What is surprising is just how many of those institutions are world class.
Experience the real London and explore some of the best undiscovered gems in the city, then head back to your fantastic discount hotels in West End London for some well earned rest and recuperation.
