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24 FOCUS The Magazine November/December 2016 www.focus-info.org

The museums of London aresome of the most heralded in theworld, known not just for theircontents but also their impressivestructures. Visitors andLondoners alike flock to ourfavourites – Tate Modern, theBritish Museum, the V&A, TheNatural History Museum andmore. There’s always somethingnew and exciting at each of thewell-known favourites, but shouldyou fancy something a bitdifferent this holiday season,maybe something a bit quieter, abit quirky or just something new,here are some suggestions of lesswell-known museums that youmight enjoy.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Wellington ArchWellington Arch was originally built as anentrance to Buckingham Palace beforebecoming a victory arch to celebrateWellington’s defeat of Napolean. Afavourite London landmark seen by allthose passing by Hyde Park Corner, theArch is open to visitors. The Arch offersnot only great views of London, but alsohas an exhibition space that often hostsfun exhibits. To celebrate the Royalwedding of the Duke and Duchess ofCambridge during the summer of 2011,there was an exhibition of Royal weddingcakes complete with a slice of cake.www.englishheritage.org.uk/visit/places/-wellington-arch

FESTIVE MUSEUMS

Charles Dickens Celebrate London’s Dickensian charmand A Christmas Carol by visiting thismuseum housed in the only survivinghome of Charles Dickens. This museum isone that is easy to walk by (you have toring the bell to enter), but offers rareeditions of Dickens’ work, interestingartifacts relating to Dickens and a glimpseinto how the home would have beendecorated when he lived there. Each year

they have special Christmas activities andcelebrations with extended openinghours, candlelit tours and readings of A Christmas Carol.

dickensmuseum.com

Pollock’s Toy Nestled in Fitzrovia near Goodge Streetand originally a printing shop, Pollock’s ToyMuseum is a wonderfully eclectic treasuretrove of toys for older children and adultsto explore. Not your typical museum, thecollection does not have muchinformation about the toys, but has animpressive collection of Victorian andearly 20th century toys in its six smallrooms. A fun place to wander and thinkabout Christmases past.pollockstoys.com

Leighton House Not far from the FOCUS office, LeightonHouse Museum is like no other. Once thehome and studio of Lord FredericLeighton (a Pre-Raphaelite painter), thehouse has stunningly beautiful, ornateinteriors and a wonderful collection ofpainting and sculpture from Leighton andhis contemporaries. The Arab Hall may bejust the thing if you’re craving a holiday,but unable to leave London. Free publictours are available Wednesdays andSundays at 15.00. www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/museums/leightonhousemuseum1.aspx

Hidden Museums of London

Tricycle Theatre

FOCUS The Magazine 25www.focus-info.org

Museum of BrandsJust a two-minute walk from the hecticPortobello Market, this charmingmuseum, founded by consumerhistorian Robert Opie, features theretro designs of many of your favouriteproducts. The collection containspackaging, posters and products fromthe late 1800s to present day. Enjoy atrip down memory lane and watch theevolution of the marketing and brandingof your favourite products. There’s also agreat shop for any last minute gifts and acafé garden that’s a perfect spot forlunch. www.museumofbrands.com

Cartoon MuseumLocated in Bloomsbury, near the BritishMuseum, the Cartoon Museum hasbeen open since 2006. This is a greatplace to learn about the history ofcartoons, their impact, and theirevolution. There are over 5,000 booksand 4,000 comics and also a cartoonlibrary (appointments needed) for thetrue comic book enthusiasts. For theholidays, there’s a special exhibition onPunch Magazine, Britain’s humourmagazine best-remembered for itscartoons.www.cartoonmuseum.org

Kenwood HouseYou can visit a stately home withoutleaving London. Kenwood House andmuseum on Hampstead Heath allowsyou to experience and become inspiredby the presentation and décor of agorgeous home with a fascinatinghistory, amazing art work and lovely

gardens. Family-friendly, be sure to pickup explorer backpacks for childrenunder 5.www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenwood

Florence Nightingale Located on the campus of St. Thomas’Hospital just across the Thames fromthe Houses of Parliament, the FlorenceNightingale Museum collection was firstdisplayed for the centenary of theCrimean War. The museum now hasalmost 3,000 artefacts tracing all stagesof Nightingale’s life, her legacy, and herimpact on modern nursing. A visit to thegift shop is a must, especially if you arein need of a gift for a nurse. www.florence-nightingale.co.uk

Fan Museum Celebrating its 25th year, Greenwich’sFan Museum is the only museum of fansin the world. This gem houses animpressive collection of fans from allover the world dating back to the 11thcentury. Exhibitions focus on the historyand craftsmanship required to createfans and themed exhibitions bring thecollection to life. The museum Orangeryis beautiful and quite famous for itsreasonably-priced cream tea. www.thefanmuseum.org.uk/

Dennis Severs’ HouseThe Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfieldis a portrait of the lives of Huguenot silkweavers from 1724 through 1914. Aftera brief introduction you silently (onlywhispering allowed!) make your waythrough ten rooms to experience the

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Florence Nightingale

life of the Jervis family. Be warned, this isone of London’s quirkier museumsdesigned to depict “still life drama”. Themuseum is intentionally messy –complete with unmade beds and half-eaten food to give rooms an authentic,lived in feel. www.dennissevershouse.co.uk

The Wellcome CollectionThe Wellcome Collection dubs itself “afree visitor destination for the incurablycurious”. This sums up this sometimesstrange, but wonderful museum perfectly.Located near Euston and established bySir Henry Wellcome (inventor of the pillform of medication), the Collection ispart of a global foundation committed toimproving health by allowing great ideasto thrive. Walking into the WellcomeCollection feels like a celebration oflearning and progress. The calendar ofevents and exhibitions cover a broadrange of topics ranging from medicalhistory and dirt, to the contradictoryideas surrounding mental illness. Despitethe serious topics, these exhibitionsalways celebrate the strides being madeand have quirky sense of fun about them.The bookstore is well worth a visit as arethe café and restaurant.https://wellcomecollection.org

The Fan Museum