yk

I have a limited time in London, so I need to pick and choose.

The following list is a bit odd, but that's because I have visited the more famous ones in previous trips already.

- Handel House
- Benjamin Franklin House
- Geffrye Museum (a bit out of the way)
- Wellcome Collection
- Dennis Severs House (is it worthwhile to visit on Sunday afternoon? I can't take the Monday evening candlelight tour)
- Spencer House (kind of a must-see for me unless you think it's a complete waste of time/$)

flanneruk

The Wellcome Collection is a bit of a Nouvelle museum. Rather than boring old galleries of interesting or significant artefacts, it's full of highly curated (the museum equivalent of the film industry's "high concept&quot - well, I suppose you could call them experience centres. A section on malaria might more or less ask you to imagine what it feels like to be a mosquito, with a fair amount of interactive gizmoing to help you and spends a fair amount of space on the mosquito net issues.

Interesting for museumologists, and a reasonable way of killing an hour if you're in that bit of the Euston Rd and don't particularly want to see the exhibitions at the British Library. Makes a great alternative to the mediocre pubs in the stations if your train's late, for example. But for most people with a general interest in medical history, there are an awful lot of more conventional medical museums in London.

PatrickLondon

See your other thread for my comments on the Handel House.

The Wellcome Collection is more of an art gallery:
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/

http://autolycus-london.blogspot.com...of-angels.html

not to be confused with the Wellcome Museum, which is a specialist collection of pickled organs for anatomists.

I haven't visited the others, though both the Dennis Severs House and Spencer House would be on my list for some time in the future.

flanneruk

"The Wellcome Collection is more of an art gallery"

It really isn't. There ARE installation-like things, to make the place odder. And, indeed, the kind of historic intruments you expect in a museum of medicine.

But mostly, it's - well the museum equivalent of overwritten - features on medical matters, often pointlessly. The DNA bit, for example, features a bound printout of the human genome (hardly bedtime reading, and you'd need a furniture van to get it home anyway) - but far far less about what DNA means these days or how it got discovered than you'd expect find in any decent science museum.

The whole place adds up to almost a postmodern commentary on what it is to be a museum. Overlaid with a kind of BBC received wisdom on why we should be spending more to deal with sickle cell anaemia. All that's missing is a "record your own jingle about the environment" stunt.

avalon

I quite like the Geffrye. I found the series of decorated rooms of different periods worthwhile. So if you have an interest in decor I'd certainly give it a go.

Vttraveler

I haven't been to the museums you are asking about. Here is a recent thread w/ "quirky/off the beaten track suggestions" that might include some of them or give you other ideas
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

I would highly recommend Kenwood House and Sir John Soames museum if you have not seen them

PalenQ

thanks for highlighting the Wellcome Collection (or art museum?)

janisj

I've been to all except for the Welcome (and the above descriptions pretty much seal the deal that I won't be visiting any time soon) and Dennis Seavers House.

There were several threads about DS's House a couple of years ago but haven't seen much posted lately. Folks REALLY seem to be in two camps on it.

As for the others - Spencer House and the Geffrye would be my 1 and 2 choices. I've been to Spencer House once and really enjoyed it but once was enough unless I'm taking a 1st timer. I try to get to the Geffrye maybe every 2nd or 3rd trip to London.

kmg21

Dennis Severs House is more of an "experience" than a museum. I really enjoyed it myself though I was lucky enough to be there on a stormy Monday night in early winter - it really added to the atmosphere!

Don't be surprised if you find the door locked when you get there. Nor should you be surprised if they don't answer the door if you knock! The entries are timed so they don't have too many people in at one time and it really detracts if they have to keep answering the door all the time. Just knock when you arrive and then wait for your turn. I seem to recall only waiting about 10 minutes for my turn.

The whole thing doesn't take long at all. I have an interest in residential architecture so I poked around for quite a bit but I think I was in there for less than 1 hour.

outwest

I loved the Geffrye Museum as well but that's because I love decorative arts--if that's your interest it's definitely worthwhile. We also had tea and scones at their cafe and it was charming.

yk

The Spencer House opens at 10:30am on Sundays. It says the guided tour lasts ~ 1hr.

Say I'll be done by 12 noon. I can take Bus #8 from Green Park to Dennis Severs House.

How long does the Dennis Severs House visit take? 1 hour?

I'm trying to see if I'll have time to squeeze in Geffrye Museum on the same day after Dennis Severs House, since they're nearby.

Geffrye Museum is open until 5pm on Sunday.

KidsToLondon

Comments on Benjamin Franklin House:

If you're an American visitor, this relatively-new venue might be of particular interest. The house uses a costumed guide who interacts with visitors and with electronic multimedia (voices, sounds, sights from the past). The house is small, and minimally furnished. There's an interesting Franklin-based "hands-on science" room for children, but it's only for visiting school groups.

Also:

If you're looking for less-visited places, consider the Courtauld Institute Gallery of Art. There's a wonderful collection here.

kmowatt

Hey yk,

Only been to Spencer House...but did enjoy it - I was lucky to be in a group of only 5 other people which was good as some rooms they tour through are quite small.

It's all very newly done, so be prepared for very high gloss gold detail on columns etc - strange to think that's how it looked when completed originally.

I had breakfast at the Wollesely (sp?) first and then strolled over to Spencer House - not particulary easy to find as the entrance is tucked away a bit. And since it's only open on a Sunday you really need to work this one into your schedule.

yk

Thank you for all your replies. Given my limited time, I think I'll only go to
Spencer House
Geffrye Museum
Dennis Severs House

If I have time, I might pop into Wellcome Collection.

To answer a few of you, Yes, I have already been to Courtauld Gallery, John Soanes Museum, and the Kenwood House on previous visits.

kmowatt - The Wolesley suggestion is great. I've read lots of positive reviews here about breakfasts there. I'm not a breakfast person myself, but I may try it depending on how hungry I am that morning.

Cholmondley_Warner

If I have time, I might pop into Wellcome Collection.>>>

If you're there, the British Library is only a stone's throw away - and well worth a visit.

yk

C_W - I've also been to the British Library on last visit. Thanks

avalon

Have you been to the Wallace Collection? Great , IMO

JimSteel

The Wellcome Collection is up for the Art Fund Prize for Galleries and Museums. Which will probably confirm Flanneruk opinion of the place. Here are some more links.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/fro...year_ALL.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/fro...year_ALL.shtml

flanneruk

"I've also been to the British Library on last visit."

Yes, but you won't have seen their current exhibition on the Ramayana.

Lots of bits of illustrated manuscripts showing how the story's been told in different ways at differemt times. A good, old fashioned show of beautiful calligraphy and miniatures, taken from what's probably now the greatest source of fine Indian books.

What museums are there for.

yk

flanner - I'll try to squeeze in a quick visit to the British Library if I can. Thanks for the heads up.

avaon- yes, I visited the Wallace Collection last year.