Page 48 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

46  INTRODUCING L ONDON

Exploring Museums and Galleries

London boasts an astonishingly diverse collection of museums.
The city’s extraordinarily rich cultural heritage has in part
been due to its position at the hub of world wide trade.
Britain’s rule of a far-flung empire has also played its part.
The world-renowned collections are impressive, but find time
for the city’s range of smaller museums, which are often more
peaceful than their grander counterparts. Brimming with
character, they cover every imaginable theme, from buses
and toys to electricity and water power. Geffrye Museum: Art Nouveau Room

Antiquities and
Archaeology
Some of the most celebrated
artifacts of ancient Asia, Egypt,
Greece and Rome are housed
in the British Museum’s fine
collection. Other antiquities,
including books, manuscripts,
paintings, busts and gems, are
displayed in Sir John Soane’s
Museum, which is one of the
most idiosyncratic to be found
in London.
The Museum of London
contains much of archaeolo­
gical interest from all periods Eclectic collection at Sir John Soane’s Museum
of the city’s history.
by contemporary designers.
On a more modest scale, the Crafts and Design
Furniture and Interiors Geffrye Museum consists of Once again, the Victoria
The Museum of London fully furnished period rooms and Albert Museum (V&A)
recreates typical domestic and dating from 1600 to the 1990s. is the essential first port of
commercial interiors from the Former homes of individuals, call; its collections in these
Roman period right up to the such as the Freud Museum, fields remain unrivalled. The
present day. The Victoria and give insights into the furniture William Morris Gallery
Albert Museum (or V&A) of specific periods, while 18 shows every aspect of the
contains complete rooms Stafford Terrace offers visitors 19th­century designer’s work
rescued from now vanished a perfectly preserved example within the Arts and Crafts
buildings, plus a magnificent of a late Victorian interior. movement. The Design
collection of furniture ranging Museum focuses on modern
from the 16th century to work design including products
Costume and Jewellery and fashion. The Fashion and
The V&A’s vast collections Textile Museum mounts
include English and European temporary exhibitions about
clothes of the last 400 years, many aspects of fashion.
and some stunning jewellery
from China, India and Japan. Military Artifacts
The priceless Crown Jewels,
at the Tower of London, The National Army Museum
should not be missed; they uses vivid models and displays
include the world’s largest cut to narrate the history of the
diamond, the First Star of Africa, British Army. Near Whitehall,
set in the Sceptre with the the Guards Museum and House­
Cross. Kensington Palace’s hold Cavalry Museum focus on
Ceremonial Dress Collection the Foot Guards and mounted
includes pieces worn by many royal regiments respectively.
notable royals. The British The Tower of London holds
Museum displays ancient Aztec, part of the national collection of
Design Museum display of chairs Mayan and African costume. arms and armour; an impressive

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