Dulwich Picture Gallery
 

Has anyone been to the Dulwich Picture Gallery? I read that it has a large collection of the great masters. Do you recommend the gallery? What is the best way to get there from Central London? How much time do you need for it?

I also read that the Horniman museum is nearby and has a substantial musical instrument collection among other things. How do you get from one to the other and then back to central London? Is the Horniman museum a worthy visit?

Yes, I've been to the gallery at Dulwich - it was to see a specific exhibition of illustrations from children's books. This is going back a few years now but I recall we took the train and then it was about 10 mins walk down to the gallery. Someone better at public transport will advise you.
What I do recall was how nice Dulwich was - it had a sort of village feel to it.

There are directions on their website

http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org...ing_to_us.aspx

Easiest would be to take the train from London bridge or Victoria train stations. Looks like a West a Dulwich is the closest station, or North Dulwich. Then a short walk.

Based on this map you would go to North dulwich from London bridge (zone 2) and west dulwich from Victoria (zone 3). Since west dulwich is in zone 3 you will likely need to buy an additional ticket assuming you have a zone 1-2 already. If you are using pay as you go just be sure you touch out at the station.

Hope this helps!

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...rvices-map.pdf

It's a simple 15 min bus ride between the two museums. Take the P4 bus - it goes between the two directly! Just ask where to pick it up at the first museum. The stops are named after the galleries so it should be easy!

Hi Europeanovice,

“Has anyone been to the Dulwich Picture Gallery? I read that it has a large collection of the great masters. Do you recommend the gallery?”

That is an excellent question which I have considered myself. I have been to many museums in London (Wallace Collection and Courtauld Gallery among my favorites) and have been interested in checking out the Dulwich on my next trip. Would enjoy hearing from others who have made the trek there.

Also, Jamkins, you wrote “It's a simple 15 min bus ride between the two museums.” What “two museums”? Maybe I missed something?

Thanks

The picture gallery in dulwich and the horniman in Forrest hill

When I lived in Crystal Palace Camping one summer I often walked by the Dulwich School - tony private school and adjoining gallery and went in a few times - hardly ever anyone there - near Crystal Palace so can combine with a look at the architectural relic from the 1850s World's Fair - the remains being just foundations but Crystal Palace Park to me one of the most interesting parks in London - check out the famous dinosaurs made in the 1800s - lifesize by some famous artist - outsiide in ponds.

Thanks all.

Jamikins--thanks for the bus number P4 so if we go maybe we can do both museums Dulwich and Horniman on the same day.

The thing is there is so much to do and not enough time to do it so we will have to limit and if we do this then something else doesn't get done or seen.

Morgana--did you see only the special exhibit at Dulwich or did you get to view some of the permanent collection too?

Is Horniman geared to little kids or would teenagers find things of interest there?

Thanks again everyone.

Yes, we did see the whole gallery although our reason for going was specifically to see the special exhibition which was excellent.
And to be honest that is the key to your question for me personally. I don't go to London very much so time is precious and Dulwich was only on my hit list because of the special exhibition. We wouldn't have gone normally, not because it isn't a nice place but because too many other places (including art galleries) would have been higher on our list.

I have been to both (twice to the Dulwich Picture gallery). There I have seen both the permanent collection and the special exhibition. This gallery appeals to me partly because of its manageable size- I liken it in that respect to the Frick collection but as it was 9 years ago that I visited that my memory may be playing tricks on me.
I specifically remember the Horniman for the musical instrument collection which was extensive. However there WERE other exhibitions including one from Bali and one on community festivals in the UK. We walked here from East Dulwich station on a cold day in December and were tired enough to get the bus back but it was a very good few hours.

By the way the restaurant in the Dulwich Picture Gallery has a really nice looking menu too but I've never tried it

>>Is Horniman geared to little kids or would teenagers find things of interest there?<<

Only one way to find out - point the teenagers concerned to the website and ask them what they think:
http://www.horniman.ac.uk/

Thanks Morgana--We may end up skipping these two since we have a long list of other places we also would like to visit but we have only limited time. It all depends when we get there so we will keep you posted. I just keep adding to my list. I also added the V&A Museum of Childhood and the Geffrye Museum to the already long list of possible places to explore.

Frances-Thanks. I like the Frick so thanks for the comparison.

Patrick--DS is a teenage boy all into his video games and unfortunately could care less about anything else. So the standard response I get from the questions "would you be interested in this?" or "What do you think about that?" is "whatever" unless of course it relates to a video game.

That is why we are "forcing" culture onto him. Is it just mine or is it the entire generation these days--engrossed in only their video games?

And latedaytraveler--we also enjoyed the Courtauld Gallery when we last visited London. We have yet to get to the Wallace Collection but it is definitely on my mile long list too.

>>So the standard response I get from the questions "would you be interested in this?" or "What do you think about that?" is "whatever" unless of course it relates to a video game.<<

I fear I may have been like that at that age (though it wasn't video games then). I would be surprised if somewhere as eclectic as the Horniman didn't have something to interest him, but (if he's anything like I was) I suppose he wouldn't tell you even if he were deeply impressed.

The Science Museum might strike a chord or two with him, though:
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visi...our_visit.aspx

Patrick--DS is a teenage boy all into his video games and unfortunately could care less about anything else. So the standard response I get from the questions "would you be interested in this?>

Here is one of London's top sights that Patrick will surely love: The London Dungeon (OK ready for the barbs that come whenever I date mention this place that man veteran travelers look down their noses at as overpriced kitsch!) but it is a favorite with British families -

http://www.thedungeons.com/london/en/

And if into video games the Trocadero Centre (more even worse barbs coming for daring to mention this place!) is one of the world's biggest gaming emporiums - right by Piccadilly Circus - a multi-floor adventure area that folks his age will probably think was the coolest thing he say in London.

Oh well I always say gives kids something kid-centric even if it may revolt your sensibilities!

Not to mention Madame Tussauds Wax Museum - I took my son at that age to all those places and that's what he liked most about London - of course I made him do the other more traditional stuff as well.

Thanks Pal--he would definitely be interested in a place like the londontrocadero. However, we do want to broaden his horizons. Maybe we can venture over for a little bit to get his fix after touring earlier.

He has been to Madame Tussauds in NY and while we adults were able to relate to most of the wax figures, he and his friend only recognized a few of them. We felt old and that was a few years ago.

Mme Tussauds is VERY euro/UK centric. I can't imagine a North American teenager knowing more than a tiny % of the personalities there.

As long as our list is, Madame Tussauds will not be on it. The video game center though--we will have to think about:)

We are trying to decide among the following great places:

Museum of London Docklands (We already have seen the original Museum of London)

V&A Museum of Childhood (already visited the V&A and would love to revisit if possible)

Natural History
Science Museum
Horniman
Dulwich
Wallace Collection
Geffrye for period interiors (that one is for me)
Bank of England Museum
Maritime Museum Greenwich

If you had to rank them in order of great visitor experiences how would they rate? We are trying to prioritize and it is hard since there are so many great choices.

We have already seen the British Museum, IWM, Cabinet War Rooms, Museum of London, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, John Soanne and Courtauld in past visits.

Hi again Europeanovice,

Not that you need more suggestions, but for your teenage son, you might consider the following:

The BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MUSEUM near Charing Cross – great multimedia “historical experience” depicting the famous statesman’s lengthy stay in London

benjaminfranklinhouse.org/site/sections/default.htm

The BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM where you can “lift” a 28 pound gold brick – behind a secure Lucite enclosure, of course. Funky, interactive, and fun.

www.bankofengland.co.uk/Pages/home.aspx

Then you might consider the ROYAL MEWS or HORSEGUARDS MUSEUM, both near to BUCKINGHAM PALACE.

Have fun. 

Hi Latedaytraveler,

Actually son already saw the Benjamin Franklin House in one of our prior visits. He went there with dad while I went to National Gallery with mother in law.

Bank of England museum sounds interesting for about an hour or so but then there is the Museum of London Docklands which I imagine would require more time to explore. So many choices but so hard to choose.

Greenwich I think deserves most of a day by itself so if that were to be done then that wouldn't leave much time for the docklands museum after and I think that would require a separate trip on a different day.

I'd certainly favour the Museum of Docklands over the Bank of England museum - much more to see, done with much more life and interest.

Saw this thread earlier and thought you might like to see it too!
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop...n_England.html

Boy--this original thread is sure morphing. That is funny Morgana. Don't know if you remember but on my original trip report a few years ago I commented on the different types of loos we saw in London. Each with a different mechanism so a sewer tour might be up son's alley!

Maybe we can venture over for a little bit to get his fix after touring earlier.>

Well certainly would not want anyone to spend a whole lot of time there but I did offer it for a short while at my expense to my teen-age son when I was dragging him from what he saw as one boring museum after another!

I gave him a few quid and went to a local pub for a pint - both needed the 'rest'.

Madame Tussauds is of course somewhat Euro centric or UK centric but you'd be surprised now how many American teens know famous Premier League soccer players and of course the royals - the Chamber of Horrors defies pigeon holing and the Marvel Comics Super Heroes is something anyone can relate to.

PQ - why do you always push the lowest common denominator when it comes to sightseeing?

If the Trocaderro/Dungeon/Mme Tussauds are so darn popular there is no need to recommend them - now is there? Won't everyone already know about them . . . :?

I recommend them here because there are teen-agers involved and based on my own experience with a teen in London he appreciated a big of kid time not all adult oriented as you seem want to do. Culture comes in many different things - have you ever trekked thru the Trocadero Centre to know what it is all about?

Yes -- I've been in the Trocaderro -- more than once. There is as good an arcade in my local regional shopping mall . . .

There are TONS of better kid-centric sites and activities all over London.

There are TONS of better kid-centric sites and activities all over London.>

OK for teen-agers what are you better teen-centric things?

I don't ask why you post some of your stuff why ask what I post and why - I think to me Madame Tussauds is so London that not going there is like going to LA and not going to Disney Land if from Japan (oh we have Disney Lands there) - I loved it and I loved the London Dungeon.

Each to our own and who - just who on a high horse is to say which is right and which is wrong?

I resent your questioning of my intents - giving some nefarious reason for them - I will post what I like when the situation of kids or teens is involved whenever I want. And the Trocadero Centre is I guarantee you not like the arcade in your local regional shopping mall - that is prove that you've never set foot in the Trocadero to say some nonsense like that.

Yes indeed it is the chance to go in a world-class multi-floor extravaganza of amusement areas - I have seen no even approach it anywhere in the 95 countries I have been to.

Drop the attitude and let folks post freely without intimidation.
and innuendos about motivations, etc.
Thanks for any appreciation in the future for that request.

>>that is prove that you've never set foot in the Trocadero to say some nonsense like that.<<

The last time I was inside the Trocadero was just last October. And the time before that -- um let me think . . . Was in 2012 . . .

But that isn't the point of this thread so go ahead and assume any old thing you want.

The point of this thread is to give ideas about London to someone with teens and it seems that by even mentioning those places raises your hackles for some weird reason - there is nothing wrong with giving information that the OP or others can discard or consider - nothing wrong with presenting as many options as possible - can you not see that?

Janisj and Pal--I appreciate both your contributions.

From my perspective, a first time or second time visitor is going to want to see/do the major stuff that are particular to the area being visited and that they can't do at home. Hence the major focus should be on those places and not the kitsch tourist traps. There are plenty of Madame Tussauds in the US--they seem to be everywhere and he didn't find it all that interesting and neither did his friend the same age.

However, I understand Pal's point that kids and teenagers often need a break from the information overload and have fun with the silly things like the London Dungeons and video game arcades. A place to unwind.

But I'd rather find a unique spot that offers some fun. For instance, when we went to Edinburgh we visited the Camera Obscura--unique in that you don't find many of those in a lot of places and they had a vortex room that would give me vertigo but my son went in there at least twice. He found a fun thing to do in that site. The whole site was a lot of fun. He enjoyed making shields of arms and armour at the kiosks in the V&A museum and found an art class which we attended at the National Portrait Gallery.

Back to the focus of my original post. From the long list of museums above--which of those should we strive to see this time and which do you think rates as a nice if you can get there but it can wait for yet another visit? I know both the natural history and science museums are rated as world class museums so those are on top of the list. What about the rest?

Museum of London Docklands sounds really good and worth a few hours to explore. What about the V&A Museum of Childhood? Worth the visit?

If we spend time at Natural History then it might not be worth the trip this time to travel to Dulwich and Horniman and better to spend more time centrally like at the Wallace Collection instead?

From the long list of museums above--which of those should we strive to see this time and which do you think rates as a nice if you can get there but it can wait for yet another visit?>

Well yes the V & SA is a great place for anyone of any age - eclectic collection.

For the Docklands be sure to take the Dockland Light Railway - a driverless people mover on pillars high above the old Docklands - try to sit right up front in first car to make like you're driving the driverless train!

Take it to Greenwich, another place I think that kids that age would like - like walking between the hemispheres, the Cutty Sark, and the old Naval College buildings, some of which are now it seems a community college of sorts.

Hi Europeanovice,

Since you have been to London before, I presume that you and your family have been on the LONDON EYE, right? It’s quite an experience.

I would also suggest THE SHARD – new, funky skyscraper near London Bridge. Tallest in Europe. Pricey but worth the experience.

the-shard.com/

The Eye is a must for kids of all ages - a huge Ferris Wheel built right in the Thames - see all of London the first thing you do - great way of orienting yourself.

Are the teens into soccer (football) and team logo items from famous European and British teams - if so hit Soccer Scene on Carnaby St in London - yup Carnaby Street has risen like a Phoenix in recent decades and is once again, like in 70s, a cool shopping area.

http://www.carnaby.co.uk/store/soccer-scene

I see lots of kids these days wearing foreign soccer jerseys, etc. as soccer is now the most popular participant sport for American youth, followed by Larosse I understand.

There are TONS of better kid-centric sites and activities all over London.>

janisj since this is very relevant to this thread can I ask you what ones you are referring to?

Curious.