London is blessed with many world-famous, large museums, including the Science Museum, British Museum and Natural History Museum. However, the city also has much to offer in terms of smaller museums in London. Some of these heritage museums are exceptional to visit and will leave a lasting impression. It can be exciting and highly satisfying to discover off-the-beaten-path museums dedicated to fascinating collections and themes.
Travel there in Easy, Affordable Style
Another great thing about smaller museums, is that they are normally very easy to get to via minicab or taxi. This does away with the need to find parking if you drive there in your own car. Public transport can sometimes be somewhat unpredictable. You often have to walk from the nearest station or stop to the museum as well, which can be irritating in bad weather. On the other hand, choosing to go by taxi means that you can get rid of these unnecessary challenges. All you need to do is pick a day, book your minicab and go straight to your chosen museum using comfortable and convenient transport.
Small Museum Adventures
As the summer gets closer with the clocks going forward and the days growing longer, we have picked out some great ideas for discovering hidden gems and unique collections in London. From dolls to dictionaries; money to marketing, a huge collection of interests can be explored across the UK capital. Perfect for engaging young minds and getting out and about. Here are five amazing, smaller museums to visit this summer and discover hidden histories in London.
Florence Nightingale Museum
Think of famous nurses throughout history and Florence Nightingale will spring immediately to mind. Known as the ‘Lady of the Lamp, Florence tended to wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Her ideas and techniques changed attitudes towards hygiene management and paved the way for modern nursing care. The museum contains memorabilia from her childhood and career, as well as hundreds of handwritten letters. It is based in the grounds of St Thomas Hospital, just a short minicab ride from Waterloo station.
Pollocks Toy Museum
Inspired by the endlessly fascinating toy theatre shop founded by Benjamin Pollock and still operating in the centre of Covent Garden, Pollocks Toy Museum is a nostalgia trip like no other. It is located by Bloomsbury and contains a wealth of toy theatres, sets, costumes and puppets, with some dating back to the 18th Century. The museum also houses other vintage toys, including teddy bears, board games, tin figures, dolls and dollhouses. A great place for some educational fun for children and a trip down memory lane for adults.
Dr Johnsons House
Dr Samuel Johnson was a prolific writer, and author of the first Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755. The book contained more than 42,000 words listed in alphabetical order, along with their meanings, pronunciation and usage. Dr Johnson’s house is located on Gough Square near Fleet Street, once the undisputed home of British journalism. It is a charming, Queen Anne-style building full of his personal effects, original architectural details and beautiful mementoes of 18th-century London life.
Bank of England Museum
The Bank of England has stood on Threadneedle Steet in London since 1734, with its origins in the city dating back even further to 1694. A dedicated museum can be found on Bartholemew Lane near Farrington tube station. Items on display include the bank’s original charter signed in 1694 and a 19th-century, one-million-pound bank note printed for internal accounting purposes. Visitors can also examine historic bank notes, strong chests and clever locking mechanisms used to keep valuable gold and currency safe from thieves. A unique insight into English currency and London’s long banking history.
Museum of Brands
We take for granted the familiar brands, logos and advertising designs that we see around us every day. However, many have a long and fascinating history. The Museum of Brands offers self-guided and flexible tour options for people keen to delve into the hidden histories of consumer culture. Located in the heart of Notting Hill, the Museum of Brands showcases original designs, advertisements and packaging from many iconic brands. These are eclectic and wide-ranging, taking in such examples as Marmite, Oxo, Sunlight Soap, Persil, Heinz, Cadbury’s, Corona and more.
We hope you enjoy exploring some of London’s smaller museums by taxi or minicab this summer. Don’t forget to check the museum websites before setting off for opening dates, times and admission details.
