London is a city that offers a lot concerning museums: in addition to the most famous ones such as the National Gallery or the British Museum, there are so many to discover among the “smaller” and a little less known. Today, then, I want to put together the 5 minor museums in my opinion not to be missed during a trip to London (especially if it is not your first trip to the city).
Florence Nightingale Museum
Located in the area of St Thomas’ Hospital, this museum wants to tell the story of the woman who, in a few words, made sure that the nursing profession was born. Definitely small, to visit it takes at most an hour and the ticket costs 7.5 pounds (full ticket): I admit that once I left I thought that, although it may be interesting: maybe the ticket costs a little bit “too much” ( I think that if it were free admission it would be better), but I still recommend a visit, especially those who have chosen to pursue nursing careers (and also those interested in finding out more about the life of this great woman).
Entrance ticket: 7.5 £;
Address: 2 Lambeth Palace Rd;
Metro station: Westminster (District Line and Circle line);
Cartoon Museum
Even this museum, located not far from the British Museum, is quite small. The exhibition intends to tell the story of the English cartoon from the 18th century to the present day. I think this can be a fascinating museum to see to get out of the usual museums to visit in London, especially if you are looking for attractions and museums a bit ‘out of the “usual”. For copyright reasons, it is not possible to take photographs (and shoot) on individual tables or drawings, but it is possible to make them only in rooms “in general”. There is also a small area where you can read comics. From what I understand, moreover, if you look for a particular number to take home, you can inform and ask for help directly to the association that takes care of the museum. I must admit that this small museum, found by chance a few years ago reading the attractions for which the London Pass offers discounts and discounts, was a great discovery.
Entrance ticket: Adults 7 £; Reduced £ 5; students £ 3; free up to 17 years and for disabled people;
Address: 55 Wells Sreet;
Subway station: Oxford Street (Bakerloo Line; Central Line; Victoria Line);
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm (closed on Mondays except for holidays).
Bank of England Museum
I discovered this museum while I was looking for some new places to visit in London, and it immediately intrigued me. This museum is divided into various sections, according to different centuries, and it intends to explore the history of the British National Bank since it was opened (1694) to the present day. The idea behind the exhibition is that visitors can advance through the various exhibition spaces by observing how the economy (English) has changed over time. Several banknotes are displayed in some adjacent display cases: the evolution of the pound “seen in a few steps”.
Open every day from 10am to 17am, all further information can be found on the official website of the museum.
Entrance ticket: free;
Address: Bartholomew Lane;
Subway station: Bank (Central line, Northern Line and Waterloo & City Lane);
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising
The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is located not far from Portobello Road, so I recommend you visit the museum before (or after) to go for a walk to the market (you can also eat in the area, there are many places where you can stop ). The museum traces the evolution of brands from boxes, advertisements and the logo from the beginning of the 20th century up to the present day. I (re) discovered the dawn of famous brands of detergents, snacks and snacks, dolls (including Barbie) and games for children. It turned out to be very interesting to see how, over time, the design of logos, packaging and all the attached and connected of many brands have changed for the better (or worse, of course). This museum is not too big and exciting. Unfortunately, it is not possible to take pictures at the exhibition.
Entrance ticket:
Adults 9 £
Children 5 £
“Concession” 7 £
Family 24 £
Annual 15 £
Free under 7 years
Address: 111-117 Lancaster Road;
Metro station: Ladbroke Grove (Circle line and Hammersmith & City Line)
Website: https://www.museumofbrands.com
Postal museum
Like the Bank of England museum, I found it by browsing the net for something new. It’s a museum about the postal system evolution during the centuries and its importance for the country (and the people who use it to communicate with friends and distant relatives). The exhibition is divided between two separate buildings: in the first one, the visitors can discover some of the models of trains used to move the correspondence and retrace the underground used for the movements on one of these old trains. In the second building, on the other hand, there is an exposition aimed at telling the evolution of the English postal service. The ride with the little train I found exciting and, in the museum, the children seem to have a lot of fun with all the interactive stations. On the official website of the museum is recommended to take into account at least two hours for a visit, better if three: I took about an hour and a half, maybe less, but given how much fun the children I have crossed there I advise you to keep wide!
Entrance ticket:
Adults 17.05 £;
Children 10.45 £.
Without the train ride: it’s free for children and 11£ for adults;
Address: 15-20 Phoenix Place;
Metro station: Russel Square (Piccadilly line);
