The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the United Kingdom's central bank. The historical displays include material drawn from the Bank's own collections of books, documents, silver, prints, paintings, banknotes, coins and photographs. There is a display of gold, including Roman and modern gold bars, alongside pikes and muskets once used to defend the Bank.
The Second World War was the most turbulent and eventful period in the history of the 20th century. It affected the lives of millions of people all over the world, advanced technology and changed political boundaries and ideas of human behaviour. But what was it really like? How did it really feel to be a British citizen during the Second World War?
Experience the cramped conditions of Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet during the Blitz of 1940. See the Transatlantic Telephone Room providing a direct telephone link between Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt. The Map Room and Winston Churchill's room all add to the atmosphere of life in World War II.
The Design Museum is the world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from furniture to graphics, and architecture to industrial design. It is working to place design at the centre of contemporary culture. The Design Museum's mission is to celebrate, entertain, and inform.
Charles Dickens and family lived at 48 Doughty Street between 1837-39. This coincided with increased prosperity for the young novelist and although his residency at number 48 was rather short, he published and completed some of his most famous works, including 'The Pickwick Papers', 'Oliver Twist' and 'Nicholas Nickleby'.
The Fan Museum is the only museum in the world devoted entirely to every aspect of fans and fan making. The Fan Museum is home to a collection of more than 3,500 predominantly antique fans from around the world dating from the 11th century to the present day.
The Fashion and Textile Museum is a cutting edge centre for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery in London. Founded by iconic British designer Zandra Rhodes, the centre houses permanent and changing exhibitions exploring elements of fashion, textile and jewellery as well as the Academy.
Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum, based in the historic Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, the birthplace of the Royal Artillery which was founded there in 1716. Firepower tells the story of the men and women - more than two million of them - who have served as Gunners in the Royal Regiment of Artillery since it was founded.
The Museum gardens provide a peaceful retreat for both visitors and wildlife alike, and are much appreciated by local office workers who enjoy a welcome lunch-break in a beautiful environment. The traffic may still speed by, but inside the garden walls, the pace eases a little and visitors enjoy the garden at whatever level they choose, from knowledgeable plantsmen inspecting flowers in detail, to those who understand little of horticulture but still enjoy relaxing in a garden environment.
H.M.S Belfast was launched in 1938 and served the Royal Navy through World War 2 to 1965. She played a leading role in the D-Day landings at Normandy and today is preserved for the nation as a unique reminder of Britain's naval heritage. H.M.S Belfast is greatly educational and helps to provide a fascinating insight in to the Royal Navy and the vessels of yesteryear.
With a vast array of military equipment from 1914 onwards, the museum offers an insight into the lives and times of military personnel and civilians during the conflicts of 1914-18 & 1939-45. With personal letters, documents and official information you can build a picture of what life was like in Britain's 'darkest hours'.
This exciting new gallery explores Britain's Jewish history from the earliest known settlement in 1066 through to the community today. Drawing on film, audio and interactive displays it tells the stories of people who have come here from areas as diverse as Eastern Europe, India and the Middle East - and how they have become part of British life. There are fun and engaging activities for visitors of all ages, include a great migration board game, Yiddish theatre karaoke and an interactive discovery table in the Living Community display.
At the London Canal Museum 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. Peer down into the unique heritage of a huge Victorian ice well used to store ice imported from Norway and brought by ship and canal boat to be stored.
London Transport Museum collects items that reflect all aspects of the history of public transport in London from 1800 to the present day. Ranging from uniform buttons to complete Tube trains, the Museum's collections are the most comprehensive of their type anywhere in the world, numbering some 375,000 items.A stunning variety of vehicles, signs, photographs, posters, drawings, uniforms and architectural material make up the core of the collection. But we are just as interested in documenting the social history of transport, and actively collect games, models and small items relating to both staff and passenger experience.
Featuring over 12,000 original items from the Robert Opie Collection, the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is a recent addition to the museums in London, located just off the famous Portobello Road in Notting Hill. The history of consumer culture is revealed though household products and shopping basket favourites in our 'time tunnel', which charts a nostalgic journey from Victorian times to the present day.
This varied exhibitions give a vivid picture of domestic life in the first half of the twentieth century while also looking at contemporary design, art and issues related to the domestic environment. MoDA's outstanding collections throw light on what homes were like and how people lived in them. They are a fascinating resource for everyone interested in design, decoration and social history - the general public, students, academics and design professionals.
Museum of London is one of the world's largest urban history museums and cares for over two million objects in its collection. The lower galleries are currently undergoing major redevelopment work which will see spectacular new galleries opening in spring 2010 telling the story of modern London from 1666 to the present day. The Museum also holds the largest archaeological archive in Europe of this wealth of information.
The National Maritime Museum was formally established by Act of Parliament in 1934 and opened to the public by King George VI on 27 April 1937. It includes the 17th-century Queen's House and, from the 1950s, the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The Museum has the most important holdings in the world on the history of Britain at sea, including maritime art (both British and 17th-century Dutch), cartography, manuscripts including official public records, ship models and plans, scientific and navigational instruments, time-keeping and astronomy (based at the Observatory), and in many other categories
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.
The Natural History Museum is a world-class resource for learners. We aim to help people enjoy the natural world, develop their scientific knowledge and understand the impact of science on their lives. Explore the secrets of the natural world. From volcanoes and meteorites to blood-sucking bats. Find out more in these videos, articles and interactive features.
The Royal Air Force Museum London houses one of the largest aviation collections in the United Kingdom. Over 90 historic aircraft covering the whole span of the first 100 years of aviation development. Suspended aircraft, split level viewing, touch screen plinths, a timeline wall and cutting edge screen displays now welcome visitors to the Royal Air Force Museum!
The Royal Armouries is located in the White Tower, the central keep of the Tower of London, which is its historical home. The Armouries is one of the ancient institutions of the Tower of London. Its origins may be traced back to the working armoury of the medieval kings of England. All displays can still be seen in the White Tower, along with more modern weapons and armours.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich was founded in 1675 by Charles II to find out the 'so-much desired longitude of places for perfecting the art of navigation.' The architect was Sir Christopher Wren, who designed St Paul's Cathedral and was himself an astronomer. The Observatory was built on the foundations of Duke Humphrey's Tower which had stood on the site since 1438. John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, moved into the new building, now named Flamsteed House, in July 1676.
The Science Museum has over 300,000 objects in its care, with particular strengths in the history of western science, technology and medicine since 1700. It has been uniquely placed to acquire objects recording the Industrial Revolution, and now holds unrivalled collections in this area. Medical artefacts from all periods and cultures also form an important part of its holdings.
The museum's collections are varied , with 10 curatorial departments consisting of coins and medals, artefacts from the Ancient Near East, Egyptian artefacts, Greek and Roman antiquities, Ethnographic artefacts (encompassing Africa, Pacific Isles, Native American cultures etc..) Some of the Museum's most famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, The Parthenon Sculptures, The Portland Vase, The Lewis Chessmen, Hoa Hakanoa (Easter Island statue).
The Household Cavalry Museum is a living museum about real people doing a real job in a real place. You can see troopers working with horses in the original 18th century stables and hear first hand accounts of their rigorous and demanding training. The experience comes alive with compelling personal stories, interactive displays and stunning rare objects - many on public display for the first time.
The V & A is one of the greatest museums of art & design. It was founded following the Great Exhibition of 1851 as a learning resource . More than 7 miles of galleries are filled with collections including glass, metalwork, ceramics, photography, sculpture and fashion, charting the history and development of the decorative arts from 3000 BC to the present day
