Museums in the UK. British Museum, London - one of the largest historical museums in the world Famous museums in England

Haddon Hall was built in the 12th century and has been in the same family since 1567. It is often referred to as the only classic pattern medieval fortified...»

"Hatfield House - an estate in the city of Hatfield in the county of Hertfordshire - over the past four centuries has served as the family nest of the Marquesses of Salisbury from the Cecil family (Marquess of Sa ... "

The garden at the Hinton-Empner manor house was created by Ralph Stowell-Dutton, 8th (and last) Baron Sherborne (1898 - 1985). The creation of the garden began in 1930. The mansion, next to which ... "

Deal Castle was built by order of Henry VIII in 1539-1540. This castle was an artillery fortress, which was designed to stop a possible invasion from the Catholics ... "

“Somerset House in London is a beautiful 18th century neoclassical building. In the middle of the 16th century, on the site of the modern building was the city residence of Edward Seymour, 1st ... "

“Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest castle in the world and is one of the official residences of the Queen. The construction of the castle was laid on the orders of William the Conquerer (William the Conquerer ... "

“The Globe (or Globe) Theater in London is an exact copy of the theater under open sky, originally built in 1599. William Shakespeare wrote most of his plays for...

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is the home-museum of the famous private investigator Sherlock Holmes, a literary character created by Arthur Conan Doyle. According to the stories of Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watso...

“The Gainsborough family estate in Lincolnshire has been around for over five hundred years. It is excellently preserved since the Middle Ages. historical monument England. The mansion was built by Sir Thomas Berg...”

“Westminster Abbey (full name Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster) is located in London, west of the Palace of Westminster. The abbey is an active church, in which even in our ... "

« The National Automobile Museum, located in Bewley, Hampshire, has one of the most impressive historical collections cars, as well as thematic books, magazines ... "

“The Car Museum London is the only museum in Europe with a unique collection of classic, original and modified cars from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. In addition to a huge collection ... "

Burton Agnes Hall is an Elizabethan manor built by Sir Henry Griffith between 1598 and 1610 to designs by Robert Smythson. According to sos...»

Old Trafford is the home of the famous football club Manchester United. Visitors to the local museum can look at the huge amount of silver items that were collected by the club for ... "

"The ancient history of the city of York comes to life in its dungeons, which present an appreciative audience with 10 different chronicle shows, covering the darkest moments in the life of the region over the past 2 thousand years...."

Nowhere except London, there is such a huge number of attractions, museums, exhibitions, constantly attracting tourists. There are numerous tourist facilities and exhibitions of almost any orientation. They are constantly open to visitors, whose flow does not dry out over time.

The main historical and archaeological museum in Great Britain and one of the largest in the world is the British Museum in London.

It is constantly in the top lines of the ranking in terms of attendance among the museums of the world. The British Museum is located in Bloomsbury, the historic district of London.

All visitors to the British Museum can see the historical and cultural property. For tourists, 94 galleries are open, with a length of about 4 kilometers.

Naturally, it is impossible to get acquainted with such a number of exhibits in one or two days. Among the museum staff there are Russian-speaking guides who will help Russian tourists to better understand historical facts and also cats.

6 cats are officially on the staff of the British Museum : they are decorated with yellow bows, behave with dignity in the halls and protect museum valuables from the invasion of rodents.

History of the Museum

Like many other collections in England, the British Museum originated from a private collection. The famous English collector of antiquities, doctor and naturalist Hans Sloan, during his lifetime, made a will, according to which, for a nominal fee, his entire collection of more than 70 thousand exhibits was transferred to King George II.

Thanks to this, the English national fund was significantly replenished. It happened in June 1753. At the same time, the antiquary James Cotton donated his library to the state, and Earl Robert Harley donated a unique collection of ancient manuscripts. The creation of a historical museum was approved by a special act of the British Parliament.

In 1759, the museum was opened to visitors in the Montagu House mansion. At first, only selected people could become visitors to the museum. For everyone, the museum was opened only in 1847, when the modern building of the museum was built.

The collection of the British Museum was constantly replenished. At the end of the 18th century, the museum acquired Greville's collection of minerals, W. Hamilton's antique vases, Townley marbles, and bought masterpieces from the Parthenon from Lord Elgin.

Some of the exhibits in the museum got almost criminally: until now, Greece and Egypt are demanding the return of some valuable relics (for example, the Rosetta Stone - a plate with text in ancient Egyptian), exported illegally from these countries.

In the 19th century, the British Museum in London began to grow and develop rapidly. At this time, it became necessary to divide the museum into departments, some of which were moved to another place. A numismatic department appeared, where medals and coins are collected different countries relating to different eras (including ancient Greek, Persian, ancient Roman).

The geological, mineralogical, botanical and zoological departments were separated into a separate Natural History Museum, which was moved to South Kensington in 1845. From 1823 to 1847, the Montagu House was demolished, and in its place a modern building in the classicist style, created by the architect R. Smork, appeared.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the number of exhibits from the Middle East increased due to archaeological excavations in Mesopotamia. Since 1926, the museum has published its own quarterly magazine, which covers the events taking place in the museum.

At the end of the 20th century, when they were preparing for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the museum, increased exhibition halls. Under the leadership of Norman Foster, the space was replanned: new premises appeared, galleries were updated, additional territory was glazed.

Museum expositions

At first, the museum was conceived only as a collection of antiquities from Greece and Rome, but gradually exhibits of various eras from other places appeared, for which new departments were organized:

• The Greco-Roman collection in the British Museum is located in 12 rooms. It includes luxury items dating back to the time of the Roman emperors, Lycian sculptures, sculptures from the temple of Apollo in Phigalia, the remains of the temple of Diana in Ephesus, etc.

• The Oriental section of the museum presents collections of sculptures, paintings, ceramics and engravings from South and Southeast Asia. There are Indian bronze statues Buddhas, monuments of hieroglyphic writing dating back to the 2nd millennium BC, ritual vessels of Ancient China and other ancient oriental treasures.

• In the department of the Middle Ages and Modern Times, you can see works of arts and crafts from the time of early Christianity to the 19th century. There are many cult objects, dishes and jewelry made of silver, knightly armor and medieval weapons, collections of ceramic and glass products of the 18th-19th centuries, church utensils and the world's largest collection of watches.

• The collection of drawings and engravings of the British Museum in terms of artistic value and size is on a par with the famous Louvre. This section contains paintings by Botticelli , Van Dyck, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Durer, Van Gogh, Raphael and many others.

• The number of medals and coins in the numismatics department exceeds 200 thousand copies. Here are coins from the 7th century BC to modern examples, as well as coins made of precious metals. The department also contains almost all the medals dedicated to important historical events of the country, including the medals of the London 2012 Olympics.

• In the department of ethnography, one can get acquainted with objects of everyday life and culture of the peoples of Australia, Africa, Asia and Oceania, America, starting from the discovery of these lands by Columbus, Cook and other famous navigators.

• The British Museum is also the largest library in the UK, with more than 7 million volumes of various publications, about 200 thousand manuscripts in European languages, more than half a million geographical maps and almost a million copies of music. About 20 thousand technical and scientific journals. The British Museum Library has 6 reading rooms for 670 visitors.

The museum constantly conducts themed tours, and on Sundays there is a children's club "Young Friend of the British Museum", for members of which access to additional interesting expositions is open. Popular here, as well as all over the world, are held 4 times a year "Nights at the Museum". Each night is held with a specific theme, such as "Egyptian Night" or "Japanese Night".

Information for tourists

The museum is open daily, opening hours: 10-00 - 17-30. From Thursday to Friday, some departments work longer, until 20-30.

Now the museum's fund is replenished mainly through donations from patrons or collectors. Some exhibits are purchased with the money of Parliament. Entrance to the British Museum is free, but it is considered good form to leave a small donation, for which special boxes are installed in the museum.

The British Museum is huge in terms of area and number of exhibits, so you should not try to get around it in one or two days. It is better to choose one or two expositions that are most interesting for you and devote full time to them. Otherwise, visiting the museum will leave not positive emotions and new knowledge, but fatigue and a sore head.

To learn the complex, intricate and surprisingly interesting history of the United Kingdom, to touch the traditions and culture of its multinational population, it is not enough to visit only London. Of course, you need to start your acquaintance with the "Foggy Albion" from its capital, because the museums in London have collected unique exhibits, and walking along its streets, you can see the most famous sights of London, which have long become the hallmark of the UK. But Great Britain is famous not only for its fogs, but also for the many Mysteries and mysteries hidden from the eyes of ordinary tourists. In this article, we will take you on a short trip throughout the UK and get acquainted with some of the museums in England, as well as Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

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American Museum in Bath

The city of Bath, built by the Romans, in itself can be called a unique open-air museum in England. But in addition to the Roman baths, in honor of which the city got its name, there are many interesting museums in England. One of such curious museums in Great Britain is the American Museum. Here you can see a unique collection of quilts (about 200) from various 18th-20th centuries: 50 quilts can be seen in the textile department, the rest in historical departments Museum of England. Also in the textile gallery you can get acquainted with the objects of decorative and applied art of the Navajo Indians. Around the museum in the UK are gardens and parks, which are also connected with the history of America and its first Indian inhabitants.

25 chose

If we talk about European culture, what do you associate the word "Italian" with? For me, this is the Renaissance. "French" will be impressionism, "German" - classical music. And "English" - probably, literature (one Shakespeare is worth something!).

I'll tell you right now - I'm not big fan literary houses-museums. Sometimes it seems to me that it is much more interesting to re-read the novel of your favorite writer or enjoy the poems of a poet who is close to you than to look at the cradle in which the future genius lay, or portraits of his distant relatives. Another thing is when the organizers of the museum manage to recreate the atmosphere in which the writer lived and worked, and ordinary things take on a different meaning (unfortunately, this does not always work out). And sometimes you can feel the literary spirit just by walking along those streets or meadows where your favorite author and / or his heroes walked ... And today I want to offer you a literary route through Great Britain, rich in writers and poets.

An hour and a half from London (you can use both train and bus), in Kent lies the place with which the very birth of English literature is associated. The small town of Canterbury boasts two thousand years of history, a picturesque location on the River Stour and no less picturesque sights. Among them are the ruins of the Roman walls and the Norman castle, St. Augustine's Abbey, ancient churches and, of course, Canterbury Cathedral.

Canterbury: Cathedral and Castle Ruins Tour

This cathedral, which kept the relics of St. Thomas Becket (Thomas of Canterbury), who was villainously murdered right at the altar, gathered pilgrims from all over England. It was here - to bow to the holy relics - that the heroes of the famous " Canterbury Tales"Geoffrey Chaucer - the first work of truly English literature. A collection of verse and prose short stories - cheerful, lively and sometimes obscene stories told by pilgrims of different classes - is often called the English "Decameron". XIV century...

And even if the author was born and lived in London, and buried in Westminster Abbey, even if Chaucer did not have time to finish his work, and his heroes could not get to the shrines of Canterbury, only seeing the cathedral from afar ... All the same - in the old streets of Canterbury it is clearly felt how tangibly close we have a distant literary past. By the way, the city has a museum of "Canterbury Tales", a colorful exposition of which recreates the atmosphere of Chaucer's times.

Now fast forward 200 years and move from south Kent to central Warwickshire. Stratford-upon-Avon - the most famous place literary pilgrimage throughout the UK. There are always a lot of tourists here, especially during the Shakespeare festivals, when the theaters of the city are crowded, and there is literally nowhere for an apple to fall on the streets where the performance spills out. Yes, it was here that the great William Shakespeare was born, and here he died (it is generally accepted that both events took place on April 23, respectively - in 1564 and 1616). And the playwright was buried in the local church of the Holy Trinity, which has survived to this day.

Stratford-upon-Avon. Church of the Holy Trinity

The house where Shakespeare was born, and the cottage where his future wife lived, and many more places directly or indirectly connected with the life of the great poet and playwright have been preserved. Almost all of Stratford is a living monument to Shakespeare.

The adherents of historical authenticity argue to the point of hoarseness whether this or that stone belonged to Shakespeare's times (in the same way as disputes still do not subside whether Shakespeare is the author of famous plays and sonnets ...) But is it really that important? Most importantly, the spirit of that time has been preserved in Stratford, and a simple walk through the narrow streets and beautiful parks of a very English town will bring you closer to understanding the great Shakespeare ... And if you are tired of other tourists, then on the banks of the Avon you can still find a secluded place, sit and remember favorite sonnet. And the roses are blooming, and the swans are swimming in the quiet river backwaters in the same way as they did centuries ago ...

The Shakespearean spirit has also been preserved in London - in the Globe Theater, which stands on the south bank of the Thames. Yes, this is a modern reconstruction of the theater of Elizabethan times, but the building was recreated according to authentic plans and based on excavations of ancient foundations. But the main thing is not even the accuracy of reproduction - traditions are carefully preserved here. Shakespearean theater. Even if you didn’t manage to get to the Globe performance, you can just go on a tour. I am sure that a fascinating story about the life of the theater in the time of Shakespeare will not leave anyone indifferent.

In general, many are associated with London. writers' fates. Here were born, lived and created those whose names are forever inscribed in the glorious book of English literature. Many have found their last refuge here - Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. In London, not only writers are honored, but also literary characters - just remember the monument to Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens or the famous Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street. But if I had to choose the most "London" writer, I would say: "Charles Dickens". I met Dickens' London almost by accident, wandering into the writer's museum in Bloomsbury. The museum is located in the house where Dickens lived for only two years - from 1837 to 1839, but wrote "Oliver Twist" and "Nicholas Nickleby" here. I cannot say that the museum shocked me, although its exposition is quite interesting for fans of Dickens' work. I was amazed by the walking tour that I was invited to at the museum. She called herself "Dickens' London".

Maybe our group was lucky with a guide, or maybe I had a corresponding "Dickensian" mood, but the history of the city, intertwined with the plots of favorite books, came to life before our eyes ... First, it was necessary to strain the imagination, replacing mentally electric lighting streets with gas lamps, and modern cars with cabs and fiacres, and then I really felt like I was in a city of the 19th century. I was able to see Dickens' London - not ceremonial and brilliant, but gloomy and impoverished, find out where the "Antiquities Shop" was located, where the characters of "Dombey and Son" and "Little Dorrit" lived, and which of the City pubs the writer himself liked to go to.

After a walk through noisy London, which (I do not argue!) Has become much more beautiful and cleaner than it was in Dickens' time, one longs for peace and quiet. The most suitable place to stay is Bath, on the River Avon in Somerset, a charming resort town founded by the Romans. The very name of the city speaks of healing mineral waters, and the perfectly preserved Roman baths are one of the attractions of Bath. In addition, the city is known for its beautiful 18th century architecture, the picturesque Pultney Bridge and the medieval abbey.

As for the history of English literature, in Bath you can find a lot of interesting things on this topic. Thackeray, Defoe, Fielding and many others rested and worked here, but the main literary celebrity of the city is Jane Austen. The amazing writer lived here herself and "settled" or "brought" her heroines. In Bath there is the Jane Austen Center, which holds the most interesting events, during which you can see fashion and everyday life times of the writer. Highly recommend!

Literary sights can be found even in a remote English province. Among the hills and moors of Yorkshire lies the so-called Brontë Country, named after three sister writers, Charlotte, Emily and Anne.

The portrait of the Brontë sisters was painted by their brother

Sisters Museum

In the village of Haworth is the Bronte Museum - maybe not rich, but with an amazing sense of the era - each exhibit is either associated with the sisters, or is very suitable for the spirit of their secluded life and peculiar creativity. Walking through the picturesque surroundings, you can find a lot of interesting things - the prototype of the estate described in Jane Eyre, the farms from Wuthering Heights, the parents' house and the parish church, which was visited by generations of the Bronte family. And finally, you can just admire the surroundings, gloomy, but beautiful in their own way (and very suitable for those who want to understand the work of the sisters).

Bronte Country

Literary Scotland deserves a separate trip. This country, being part of the UK, has retained its independence, if not in politics, then in culture. You can still feel the proud spirit of the Scottish highlanders walking through ancient Edinburgh and small villages, admiring the steep cliffs that cut into the sea and cool lakes among the mountains. And the work of Scottish patriots and romantics will immediately become closer and more understandable to you.

A trip to the village of Alloway will introduce you to the life of the famous poet Robert Burns (his birthday on January 25th is celebrated throughout Scotland). Here you can see the museum of the poet, the cottage where he actually was born, and the picturesque surroundings. By the way, it was a pleasant surprise for me that the museum staff know that Marshak translated Burns into Russian!

Abbotsford Manor, on the River Tweed in the Scottish Borderlands, will take you into the world of Sir Walter Scott - famous author"Quentin Dorward", "Ivanhoe", "Beauty of Perth" and other novels. The romantic appearance of the castle in the old Scottish style surprisingly echoes the writer's work and attracts many of his admirers.

The hometown of Robert Louis Stevenson (it is unlikely that anyone did not read "Treasure Island" in childhood!) - Edinburgh, which played a huge role in the work famous writer. It seems to me that the romantic image of the ancient Scottish capital left its mark on Stevenson's gloomy romanticism. By the way, literary historians claim that it was in Edinburgh that a mysterious story took place, which formed the basis of the fantastic story "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

You can get to know the history of Scottish literature quite closely without even leaving the city. To do this, just visit the Literary Museum, the main characters of which are the already mentioned Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Lewis Stevenson (but you can also find out about other Scottish celebrities here). The main thing is that a small Edinburgh museum conquers with the pride with which the Scots treat their writers and poets ...

Modern young readers can also please Edinburgh - it was here that the Harry Potter novels were written. Admirers of the writer's work have turned the cafe where JK Rowling wrote the first book of Potteriana into a local landmark.

When I wrote this article and tried to formulate my chaotic impressions of traveling through the literary UK, one thought did not leave me. Yes, there is much less reading in the modern world, and the classics are sometimes known only by hearsay, but still, all is not lost as long as people want to visit Shakespeare's grave or the Edinburgh Literary Museum. It seemed to me that in some ways the British and, especially, the Scots are similar to us - those who travel to Yasnaya Polyana or the Pushkin Mountains ... And you know, Dickens' trip to London vaguely reminded me of the famous tours of Dostoevsky's St. Petersburg ...

Svetlana Vetka , specially for Etoya.ru

The capital of Great Britain offers its guests an exciting and meaningful cultural travel program. Indelible impressions from your stay in London leave walks in numerous museums and galleries. Here, every tourist will find interesting educational institutions of various thematic areas. Museums in London amaze visitors with a magnificent wealth of expositions. They are a reflection of the cultural heritage of all mankind. During the heyday of the British Empire, valuable works of art and ancient artifacts were brought to London from all over the world. Most museums will delight tourists with free accessibility.

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Saatchi Gallery

The Saatchi Gallery is one of the most unusual British museums. Everything here is amazing - from the expositions to the building in which they are located. After all, the former barracks can hardly be called the best place to get acquainted with art. The gallery got its name in honor of the founder, art dealer Charles Saatchi. It was he who decided to make his personal collection of contemporary paintings public. Today, Saatchi boasts not only permanent, but temporary exhibitions, some of which are a real sensation among both visitors and critics. And not always in the positive sense of the word.

Going to the gallery, you should prepare to experience a variety of emotions - from delight and admiration to bewilderment and disgust. After all, how else can you relate to the works of Mark Quinn - heads cast from frozen blood? Or an animal cut up in formaldehyde by Demian Hirst? Unfortunately or fortunately, these exhibitions are already in the past and it will not be possible to visit them today. But there are others - no less shocking and shocking.

Controversial among critics and interest among ordinary people even unrelated to art. What you will be lucky to see on the day of your visit is a mystery. The gallery is located at Duke of York's HQ, King's Road. Its doors are open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. The box office, where you can get a ticket for free, closes half an hour earlier, at 17-30.

Tate Gallery

The Tate Gallery is the best place to experience British art. Here are the works of various authors, from the 16th century to modern ones. It was started by the industrialist Henry Tate, who decided to make his personal collection public. All works are systematized in chronological and thematic order, for ease of perception. After all, the variety of dates, styles and names can make even experienced connoisseurs dizzy. Portraits, landscapes, everyday sketches, mysticism ... everyone will surely be able to find a canvas to their liking.

2000 was a year of change for the Tate. Her collection has grown so much that the old building on Trafalgar Square is no longer enough. So there was a branch of the Tate Modern on the opposite bank of the Thames. An extraordinary and original room was chosen for it, and the museum housed a power plant in it. Gradually, this place has become a cult among contemporary art lovers around the world. But even if you are indifferent to paintings, it is still worth visiting the Tate Gallery.

At least for a ride on a boat that runs between branches on the Thames, and a cup of coffee in a panoramic cafe under the roof of the Tate Modern. Located at London, Millbank, Tate Britain, its modern branch is opposite St. Paul's Cathedral. Both of them work from 10-00 to 17-50. The first Friday of each month is a “long” day, the doors are open until 20-00. December 24-26 are days off. You don't have to pay for entry. But for a trip on a boat, if it is included in the plans - you have to.

Charles Dickens House Museum

Charles Dickens is one of the most famous English writers. He wrote such works as the adventures of Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and many others. Guests of the museum dedicated to the literary genius can get acquainted not only with his work, but also with the life of a traditional family of the Victorian era. So what can you see? First of all - the dining room, where the whole family gathered. The Victorian-style china plates depict the writer and his friends. Also on the ground floor there is a bedroom with a large canopy bed, a kitchen and a living room.

The second floor is the real realm of Dickens, his study with a dressing room. Here, as if two hundred years ago, there is a table and a chair where works were created that the whole world soon learned about, the first editions of books and even manuscripts lie. The walls of the study and other rooms of the museum are decorated with paintings depicting old London. The Dickens House Museum is located at 48 Doughty Street. Its doors are open from 10-00 to 17-00, tickets at the box office stop selling an hour earlier. Their cost is £9. But on holidays the exhibition is closed.

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In order to feel happy, a person must not only discover new things, get vivid emotions and impressions, but also be able to relax and be liberated. The best place in the British capital for this is the Cupid Museum in London. The exposition, solemnly opened in 2007, attracted the attention of tourists, local residents, presses. After all, Paris is traditionally considered the city of love, free and a little depraved. London is much more modest in this respect. But, nevertheless, a museum dedicated to erotica, sex and love, nevertheless appeared here.

Its exposition presents paintings, things, as well as interactive exhibits created thanks to modern computer technology: touch screens, multimedia equipment. The organizers of the museum also took care of the lighting - red tones add mystery and even a touch of passion. After getting acquainted with the expositions, you can continue to relax in a cafe where they offer cocktails made from aphrodisiacs. They, according to bartenders, add sexuality to anyone, stimulate attraction and even increase sexual activity.

Those who wish can not only visit the exposition, but also get a consultation from a sexopathologist for an additional fee. One of the most controversial museums in London is located near Piccadilly Circus, at 13 Coventry Street. It is open from 11-00 to 00-00. During the day, until 17:00.

Westminster Abbey Museum

Westminster Abbey is not only the main cathedral of the country, but also one of the symbols of London. Construction in gothic style recalls the affairs of bygone days and the traditions of old England. By the way, you should not get lost if suddenly somewhere it is designated as the cathedral church of St. Peter - this is the second name of the abbey. The underground room, considered one of the oldest in the entire complex, houses a small but very interesting museum dedicated to the history of the shrine.

Fragments of sculptures and frescoes, funeral statues of members of the royal family and even thrones on which monarchs were crowned. All this can be seen here, the exhibits reflect not only the history of the church, but of the whole of England. The museum has a small souvenir shop where you can take pictures and buy something for memory. By the way, you can enter it from the street without buying entrance tickets.

There is quite a lot of Westminster stuff in London - a chapel, a palace, a cathedral. All these objects should not be confused, let alone united, they exist autonomously from each other, both historically and territorially. The abbey is located at Deans Yd, 20. You can visit it from 10-30 to 16-00 on any day except Sunday, when only parishioners are allowed to enter. However, it is better to clarify the opening hours before the visit, since the church is active and services can be held in it.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is dedicated to the arts and crafts not only in England, but throughout the world. It was founded in 1851 on the initiative of Queen Victoria, and her husband, Prince Albert, did a lot to develop and replenish the collection, acquiring exhibits at his own expense. It was in honor of this couple that the museum got its name in the future.

Today it is among the twenty most popular on the planet. To say that the collection is rich and extensive is to say nothing. 51,000 square meters, 140 halls, more than 4 million exhibits. As a rule, tourists are limited to a cursory inspection, which begins with a collection dedicated to European art different eras. Impressed by the works of Raphael and other famous people, you should not relax. After all interesting collections not a few more - architectural, Asian, book, dedicated to fashion. Many of them are called in a modern manner - departments.

Museum tours are completely free. It will take about an hour for a brief review, accompanied by a specialist. Special programs are offered for younger guests and their parents. The cradle of arts and crafts is located in central London, on Cromwell Road. You can visit from 10-00 to 17-45 (on Fridays - until 20-00). Entrance, as well as excursions, is free.

Design Museum

Fans of creativity and everything unusual should definitely visit the London Design Museum. Founded relatively recently, it has already become a mecca for creative people from all over the world. Professionalism is combined with progressive ideas, and innovations are combined with traditions and classics. The museum is located in a three-story building. On the ground floor there are cash desks, office space, an art cafe and a gift shop. Everything, even the toilets, is decorated famous designers in a very unique style. The second and third floors are occupied by expositions, permanent and temporary.

They are devoted to different areas, but the "core" is made up of exhibits dedicated to the design of clothing and interiors. Moreover, both sketches and graphic sketches, as well as the final results of work, are presented. The room itself is also decorated in an original way and deserves attention. Under the roof there is an exposition dedicated to the history of design - from its very formation to the present. In addition, solemn events, conferences, seminars and classes for children are held here.

It is located at Shad Thames, 28. Visitors are expected daily, from 10-00 to 17-45.

Museum of Natural History

The London Natural History Museum is dedicated to nature - its past, present and even a little future. It consists of two parts - research, where scientists work and are Scientific research(many years ago, Charles Darwin himself worked here), and directly the exhibition, which is open to visitors. It resembles the scenery for the films and Harry Potter and Night at the Museum. Although, of course, they were not filmed here.

The expositions are divided into several "color zones". The blue one, the most crowded, contains the skeletons of dinosaurs and other long-extinct animals. It is interesting for both children and adults. The green zone is not so large-scale; its expositions include birds, insects and plants. In red, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur every day. Not real ones, of course, but mock-ups. In addition, here you can get acquainted with the "mineral diversity" of our planet. The orange zone is dedicated to the work of Charles Darwin.

There are laboratories where everyone can participate in real scientific experiments. Of course, this entertainment is aimed at children. Little visitors are given priority here in every sense. Located at Cromwell Road, Natural History Museum. You can visit it on any day (except Christmas holidays) from 10-00 to 17-50. Last Friday of the month until 22:30. Entrance to the main exhibition is free.

Cutty Sark Ship Museum

The British are reverent and careful about everything connected with their history. It is not surprising that the ship with the mystical name Cutty Sark, named after the Scottish witch, the heroine of the work of Robert Burns, is perfectly preserved and delights visitors not only with its appearance, but also, so to speak, with its interiors.

Sailors traditionally believe in omens. From the very beginning, they believed that a ship with a mystical and frightening name was not destined for a long life. However, for more than a dozen years it has plied the expanses of the seas and oceans, transporting tea from China to Europe, and has been perfectly preserved to this day. True, in 2007 there was a serious fire, after which restoration work lasted until 2012. Today, Cutty Sark welcomes visitors again. Here you can walk along the decks, look into the holds and even visit the underwater part. It is she who makes the biggest impression on visitors.

An excellent end to the tour will be lunch, well, or an afternoon snack, in the "sea" cafe. And in the souvenir shop you can buy something for memory. Located on the Thames, at Greenwich, King William Walk. You can go up to the deck on any day from 11-00 to 17-00.

Transport Museum

Double-decker tourist buses are one of the symbols of London, its hallmark in tourism world. They and not only can be seen in the Museum of Transport. Its exposition is quite extensive and occupies a large three-story building. Each of the floors is dedicated to a particular topic. The first is the so-called organizational. There are cash desks, office space, a cafe and a souvenir shop where you can buy something for memory. In addition, young visitors will certainly be interested in the hall with mock-ups, where everything can be not only touched, but also tested in action. However, no matter how interesting it is below, everything interesting lies ahead.

The second floor of the museum is dedicated to the history of the world's first subway. It is not difficult to guess that he appeared in London. Here you can see how the subway was built manually, how new stations appeared and how the scheme of lines and train traffic changed over the years. The third floor is dedicated to land transport. Literally everything related to traffic is presented here - from horse-drawn carts to those very legendary double-decker buses.

You can clearly see how the streets of the British capital have changed over the years. Address: pl. Covent garden. Open daily, from 10-00 to 18-00 (on Fridays it opens an hour later, from 11-00). Children under 16 can visit the exhibition for free.

Madame Tussauds museum

One of the world famous and popular cultural places in London is the wax museum named after the famous sculptor Madame Marie Tussauds. It was founded in 1835 and has been the most visited attraction in the British capital ever since. The modern building of the famous museum, located at the Baker Street subway station, has a characteristic high green dome. The exposition of the complex is divided into thematic halls, which exhibit the greatest collection of wax figures of famous artists, musicians, politicians, athletes and various historical figures.

The skillful detailing of the images, the naturalness of the sculptures, the painstaking work of the artists and the similarity with the original delight the audience. Tourists are given the opportunity to take memorable photos with their idols and even touch them with their hands. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Usain Bolt, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, John Travolta, Charlie Chaplin, David Beckham, Bruce Willis, Queen Elizabeth, Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Princess Diana - this is far from full list celebrities that can be seen in the museum.

Regardless of the type of activity of prominent people, the exhibition of the London institution is regularly updated with new sculptures. Accepts guests from 9:00 to 19:00. The ticket price will cost each visitor £29.

National Gallery

Magnificent collection works of art is in the National Art Gallery in London. An imposing gray building with a massive portico, powerful columns and a huge dome rises on Trafalgar Square. More than 2,000 paintings by famous masters of art from all over the world are exhibited in the elegantly decorated interiors of the premises. The collection consists of masterpieces created since the 13th century. Gallery visitors can clearly see how the trends and technical features of writing the immortal works of genius by great artists have changed over the course of many centuries.

Among the examples of the art of painting, paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caspar Friedrich, Titian, Rembrandt, Bartolomeo Murillo, Carlo Crivelli and other masters of their era deserve special attention. The National Gallery in London has an impressive collection Orthodox icons Byzantine, Greek and Russian schools of writing. Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00 and until 21:00 (on Fridays). Entrance is completely free.

Tate Modern Gallery

In a colorful five-story building of a former power plant on the banks of the River Thames, there is a modern art gallery - Tate Modern. The cult place is of interest to lovers of abstract, avant-garde and innovative creativity. The industrial structure is crowned with a hundred-meter chimney and a glass roof. Curious paintings, photographs, exhibits, installations and sculptures are exhibited in the halls with high ceilings against the background of dark bricks. Here, many art objects produce an ambiguous impression, bewilderment, and sometimes even cause irritation. Nevertheless, the collection involves visitors in understanding the current problems of society.

The gallery contains more than 70 thousand works by various artists, including Picasso, Malevich, Monet, Warhol and other masters. abstract art. Basically, the fund of the institution consists of world masterpieces of surrealism created during the 20th century. Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00 (Sunday-Thursday) and until 21:00 (Friday-Saturday). Visiting the exposition is free.

Institute of Contemporary Arts

In the business district of the capital of Britain is the Institute of Contemporary Art. This is a prestigious exhibition platform, where exhibits of new trends in the visual arts are presented to the public. The institution was founded in 1946 by collectors, writers and critics. The creative intelligentsia wanted to open here a place for workshops for artists who could express their creative ideas outside the existing limits of classical art standards.

The Institute of Contemporary Art has a gallery, a cinema, a bookstore and a café. Visitors are shown an exposition that promotes the avant-garde, provocative and marginal direction in creativity. These are paintings, sculptures, performances, video installations. Concerts are often held here. The entrance is free. The gallery is open from 12:00 to 23:00.

Wallace Collection

The curiosity of tourists will satisfy the contemplation unique collection masterpieces of art of one of the revered English marquises - Sir Richard Wallace. The museum is based on the richest private collection of paintings, medieval weapons, fine sculptures, antique furniture and many decorative and applied items. The exhibits amaze the audience with their performance and splendor. Valuable artefacts were bequeathed by the Marquess of the British Nation for all to see.

The exhibits are stored in the Wallace family mansion, built in the 18th century. An impressive collection of works of art is exhibited in 25 rooms among luxurious interiors that embody the aristocratic residence of the Victorian era. The preserved cozy atmosphere makes visiting the museum akin to coming to visit Sir Wallace personally.

Tourists can get aesthetic pleasure from admiring a large number of various paintings written by the greatest masters of their time. These are the creations of Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, van Dyck, Canaletto, Boucher and many other artists. Attention is drawn to samples of carved furniture related to XVII century, as well as golden caskets, beautiful sculptures and porcelain items. Receives guests daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Free admission.

Harry Potter Museum

True fans of the legendary story of the young wizard Harry Potter will be very interested in visiting the museum of the same name, located near London. This is a whole complex consisting of huge pavilions with stunning scenery, various buildings and props. Hundreds of detailed locations, costumes of heroes, recognizable artifacts immerse tourists in wonderful world fairy tales and adventures.

Cinema City is home to the latest productions of the iconic Harry Potter films. Museum guests will discover the secrets of creating spectacular scenes with special effects. Tourists can expect Hogwarts study halls, Dumbledore's office, the famous platform 9 ¾, Diagon Alley and many other familiar places from the franchise.

Tickets can only be purchased on the museum's official website. Their cost for adults is 43 pounds sterling, for children from 5 to 15 years old - 35 pounds. The Harry Potter Museum welcomes its guests every day from 8:30 (Saturday, Sunday) and from 9:30 (Monday-Friday) to 22:00.

Geoffrey Museum

The Jeffrey Museum is located in an old two-story building of the former almshouse of the 18th century, where guests of the British capital can get acquainted with the history of the development of English domestic life. The exposition reflects the changes in the arrangement of the dwellings of the representatives of the middle class in London. The collection clearly demonstrates how people's taste preferences about the comfort, style and design of their apartments were formed. In eleven small halls, residential apartments of different time periods are recreated, from 1600 to the present day.

Particular attention is paid to furniture and arts and crafts. The walls and ceilings are decorated with original patterned ornaments, drawings, oak panels or wallpaper. Visitors will see carved chairs, tables and cabinets, as well as fireplaces, textile samples, crockery, vases, candlesticks, boxes and other interior accessories.

Doors are open from Tuesday to Sunday. Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:00. Free admission. Touching the exhibits is strictly prohibited. There is a picturesque garden around, where tourists can walk along the green lawn under the crowns of trees.

Imperial War Museum

The majestic building with a massive dome and an Ionic portico-entrance houses numerous military exhibits. It is noteworthy that until 1936 the historic building belonged to the Royal Psychiatric Hospital. The collection is dedicated to the military conflicts of the 20th century, in which the army of the British Empire took part. Around the complex there is a well-groomed park. A giant model of a double-barreled artillery gun was installed on its territory. Here you can also see the monument to Soviet soldiers who fell in World War II.

Exhibition pavilions are filled with tanks, aircraft, ballistic missiles, lightly armored vehicles and various types of weapons. Among the copies are English, Russian and German weapons. Skillfully created trenches with trenches, dugouts with barbed wire and command posts involuntarily transport visitors to the complex into the harsh reality of wartime. The exhibits of MI-6 intelligence, personal belongings of soldiers, unique archival documents and photographs deserve special attention.
Receives its guests daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Free admission.

It is impossible to pass by the informative, interactive and free local history museum of London. The institution invites its guests to follow the rich history of one of the largest European capitals in chronological order. The exposition covers time periods ranging from the Stone Age to today. Tourists can visit the institution every day from 10:00 to 18:00.

The fund impresses with its diversity. Here are numerous artifacts of archaeological excavations, including stone axes, axes, spears, swords, arrows, jewelry, personal belongings of Roman legionnaires, skulls of primitive people and much more. Of interest is the collection of classic dresses, costumes, photographs, paintings, dishes, toys, as well as household items. The jewel of the collection is the gilded carriage of one of the venerable lords of Britain, made in 1757.

The halls recreate the quarters of old London with shops, workshops, bank branches, bakeries, taverns, hairdressers and ateliers. Visitors will learn how once the townspeople baked bread, processed metal, sewed clothes and used ancient instruments. Impressive LED screens show videos from the history of the city.

Science Museum

It is an entertaining and fascinating place that attracts the attention of a huge number of tourists. The galleries of the five-story building house more than 300,000 exhibits. All of them belong to the highest achievements of the human mind. An impressive collection is devoted to scientific activities in the field of space, technology, medicine, chemistry and industry. Genuine interest among the audience is caused by unique steam engines, engines, aircraft, computers, rare cars, space equipment, rockets, various mechanisms, household appliances and other inventions.

Models are made in natural size. The museum presents interactive exhibits that clearly demonstrate how a particular device looks like from the inside. Separate room filled with medical instruments of labor of doctors of the past centuries. Here you can also get to know modern methods diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

Tourists will be curious to study some physical phenomena with the help of simple experiments, as well as to explore the possibilities of the human body and sense organs. Innovative virtual reality technologies offer visitors to feel like an astronaut, travel through the expanses of the Universe and visit a space station.

Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Entrance to the complex is free. Voluntary donations are welcome.

Horror Museum

The London Dungeon, which means "London Dungeon", is an original combination of a museum, a quest and a theatrical performance. The popular attraction is designed to immerse non-nervous tourists into the gloomy atmosphere of medieval torture, bloody crimes and criminal events from the history of the British capital. Impressions from what is happening are enhanced by special effects, soundtracks, fetid odors, excellent scenery and actors dressed in historical costumes.

Visitors will become unwitting participants in a comic and sometimes creepy performance. In the labyrinths of the dungeon, in dim light, you will find executioners with axes, leprous victims of the plague, wandering dead, serial killers and maniacs. Each of them will be able to greatly tickle the nerves of tourists. The audience will see corpses with their throats cut and their intestines released. Numerous devices for committing torture are catching up with fear.

Guests will have the opportunity to wander through the fire-torn neighborhoods and tunnels, visit Sweeney Todd's hairdresser, hide from Jack the Ripper, go on a decrepit boat in complete darkness to the scaffold. Tourists will be sentenced to death by hanging, which will end with a sharp fall into a special mine. No one will suffer, but everyone will remain under a strong impression.

"London Dungeon" welcomes its guests every day from 10:00 to 16:00 (in weekdays) and until 18:00 (Saturday, Sunday). Ticket price online through the museum's official website is 21 pounds.

Wellington Museum

Next to the famous Hyde Park in London rises a classic mansion, decorated with a Corinthian portico and lined with limestone. In this building lived the victorious battle of Waterloo, the duke and the great commander - Arthur Wellington. He became famous not only for his military courage, but also for collecting masterpieces of art.

Today, the luxurious halls of the mansion house a museum. Valuable art trophy canvases captured by Wellington during military campaigns against the French are exhibited here. The primordial aristocratic interior of the premises gives a special entourage for enjoying the works of painting. The exposition is filled with works by such masters as Rubens, Velasquez, van Dyck, Caravaggio, Goya, Murillo and many other artists. In addition to the art gallery, visitors to the museum will see exquisite furniture, as well as a collection of porcelain, silver, weapons and orders.

At the entrance, tourists are greeted by a three-meter statue of Napoleon, made famous sculptor Antonio Canova. The Emperor is represented in the guise of Mars the Peacemaker. The statue symbolizes the defeated enemy Arthur Wellington and reminds everyone of the merits of the British commander. Open Wednesday to Sunday at summer season(11:00-17:00) and from Saturday to Sunday during the winter season (10:00-16:00). The price of an adult ticket is 10 British pounds.

Klink Prison Museum

For thrill-seekers, the former Clink prison opens its gloomy doors, located near the banks of the Thames. The surviving basement houses a thematic museum. This terrifying place inspired fear in the inhabitants of London from the 12th century to 1780. Today, tourists flock here every day to tickle their nerves.

The founder of the prison was the Bishop of Winchester, who was distinguished by his cruelty towards prisoners. Debtors, brawlers, drunkards, heretics, thieves, harlots, as well as innocent people were sent to jail. The jailers extorted money from the arrested for food, candles and bedding.

The atmosphere of the cells of a medieval prison is recreated as authentically as possible. Visitors can see numerous instruments of torture, the principle of which makes the blood run cold. Wax figures of convicts and audio recordings of heartbreaking moans add to the eerie experience. Prison "Clink" receives its guests daily. From July to September it is open from 10:00 to 21:00. In the period October-June, viewing the exposition is limited until 18:00. Ticket price - 7.5 £.

Bank of England Museum

The Bank of England Museum is housed in a classic 18th-century building with columns, a portico and sculptures on its façade. The exposition of the institution reflects the history of the formation of the financial system of the state. Unique banknotes, royal coins, gold bars, original engravings, sculptures, IOUs and various documents are on display.

The museum fund has rare muskets and lances used in the old days by guards to protect the bank. Among the exhibits you can see various items furniture. Deserves attention big size an iron chest that served as a safe. Of interest is the reconstruction of an old office building with wax figures dressed in historical attire. Available for visiting on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00. Free admission.

Churchill Museum

Near St. James Park, under the Treasury building, there is a unique place - Winston Churchill's underground bunker. Here, at a depth of about five meters, during the German bombardment, an outstanding British statesman held a cabinet meeting and gave orders to the army. Since 1984, the bunker has been a museum, where Churchill's personal belongings and a considerable number of interesting exhibits are on display.

The interiors of the Prime Minister's headquarters have a rather ascetic and practical look, corresponding to wartime conditions. Massive steel blocks under the ceiling protected the shelter from shells. Tourists will see not only Churchill's office and apartments, but also working rooms for members of the government, signalmen, typists and various personnel. The premises are crowded desks, chairs, beds and other attributes. In some rooms, wax mannequins mimic activity quite convincingly.

The collection showcases authentic documents, maps, telephones and clothing items used by Winston Churchill. Famous attributes are of interest: a box of smoking cigars, a cane, a top hat and a "butterfly" with polka dots. A notable exhibit of the complex is an interactive fifteen-meter table. Its sensory surface reflects information about all the details of the life of the great Briton. Open every day from 9:30 to 18:00.

Tea and Coffee Museum

The capital of Great Britain invites its guests to visit the tea and coffee museum. Tourists are given the opportunity to thoroughly get acquainted with the history and culture of consumption of these fragrant and favorite drinks of millions of people. The exposition consists of an impressive collection of priceless attributes related to the tea and coffee ceremony. In the halls you can see Chinese porcelain dishes, Japanese bowls, miniature cups, whisks for whisking tea leaves, sets painted with colorful ornaments, Russian meter-long samovars and much more.

The walls are decorated with picturesque engravings and paintings depicting scenes from the ritual of tea drinking. Teapots of various shapes, sizes and models are of particular delight. They are represented as dragons, lions, cars, mailboxes, policemen, locomotives and pieces of furniture. Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00. The ticket price is £4.

Pollock Toy Museum

Offers tourists to plunge into the magical and carefree world of a good childhood. This place has prepared for its viewers a lot of wonderful impressions and pleasant surprises. Small rooms connected by spiral staircases are filled with charming dolls, designers, soldiers, puppets, cars, airplanes and all kinds of mechanical knick-knacks.

The museum is named after the famous master of toys and theatrical scenery of the Victorian era - Benjamin Pollock. Most of the exhibits are unique historical specimens. The exposition has wax, porcelain, plastic, wood, fabric and even paper toys. Some dolls "live" in their amazing houses. Their miniature apartments are furnished with furniture and utensils. A separate showcase is dedicated to teddy bears, nesting dolls, as well as Dymkovo and carved Bogorodsk toys.

The toy exhibition can be visited on any day except Sunday. Works from 10:00 to 17:00. Admission is £5 for adults and £2 for children.

Museum of Childhood

The exhibits will certainly bring a lot of joyful emotions to adults and young travelers. In the huge galleries of the two-story pavilion, a collection of various toys from around the world is collected. These are dolls, puppets, soldiers, figurines of famous characters, robots, all kinds of board games, Teddy bears, wooden horses, constructors, clockwork trains, cars and many other funny specimens. The Museum of Childhood is open daily from 10:00 to 17:45. Free admission.

The property of the fund is the exposition doll houses exhibited behind the glass showcases of the racks. Many of the models have an open view, allowing viewers to view miniature furniture, tiny crockery and appreciate the detailed interiors of miniature apartments. It is impossible to pass by exquisite toy porcelain sets. The diameter of cups and plates does not exceed five centimeters. The doll's tableware is covered with floral ornaments and colorful patterns.

Noteworthy items of children's clothing for boys and girls. Presented dresses and costumes XVIII - 19th century. Rare wooden, ceramic and wax cute dolls amaze visitors with luxurious outfits, hand-embroidered a century ago. Delight is caused by mechanical toys - running trains, dancing ballerinas, walking robots and moving figurines.

Sir John Soane Museum

It attracts tourists with an abundance of unique works of art. The apartments of the studio house where J. Soane lived and worked are literally cluttered with antiques. Here you can see fragments of architectural landmarks, antique marble and plaster frescoes, archaeological artifacts, sculptures, minerals, vases, pictorial engravings and much more.

The art collection contains rare paintings by Piranesi, Hogarth and Canaletto. The walls of the picture room are screens that rise up with the help of hinges, revealing new images. Thus, hundreds of paintings were placed in a small room. The main part of the manic collector's exposition was brought from Italy, Egypt and Greece. The exhibits are exhibited randomly in relation to the chronological sequence and cultures of civilizations of different eras.

Convex mirrors and colored window panes create an incredible atmosphere. Accepts guests from Wednesday to Sunday. Opening hours: 10:00-17:00. Visiting the exposition is free.

Whitechapel Gallery

In the mysterious London district of Whitechapel, where Jack the Ripper committed murders hundreds of years ago, there is an art gallery of avant-garde art and abstract expressionism. The museum was founded in 1901 and became one of the first public institutions funded by the state. The gallery gained wide popularity thanks to the exhibition of paintings by Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Robert Crumb and other contemporary masters.

To date, the exhibition halls of the gallery exhibit outrageous and surreal sculptures, paintings and photographs. Of interest are unexpected and provocative performances that reflect the pressing social problems in society. The Whitechapel Gallery is open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm every day except Monday. Free admission.

Jack the Ripper Museum

Among the old architectural ensemble The Victorian-era area of ​​Whitechapel houses the Jack the Ripper Museum. In 1888, a mysterious serial killer terrified the locals in a not-so-prosperous area of ​​London. Jack's victims were women of easy virtue, whom he ruthlessly cut, leaving no living space on the body.