London Museums Gazetteer (A-F)

These are just a taste of the wonderful museums and galleries of London. If you have a particular interest, chances are there is a museum devoted to it in London. Note that several of the museums are clustered near to each other in South Kensington, making for an easy day out. If you are venturing beyond London, see our list of museums throughout the UK.

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Arsenal Museum    The Arsenal Museum details the colourful history of this famous north London football club, from its begiinings in 1886 when it was founded by a group of munitions workers. Avenell Road, Highbury London, Greater London, England, N5 1BU Attraction Type: Museum Location: in Arsenal Stadium, off A1201 Location map OS TQ317 861 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Asia House    Planned by Robert and James Adam in the 1770s, Asia House still retains its fine ceilings and John Soane library. The foremost pan-Asian organisation in Britain, Asia House runs a full and stimulating schedule of events and exhibits. 63 New Cavendish Street, London, Greater London, England, W1G 7LP Attraction Type: Museum Website: Asia House Email: enquiries@asiahouse.co.uk Phone: 020 7307 5454 Fax: 020 7307 5459 Location map OS TQ287 817 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Baden-Powell House    This small museum tells the story of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout and Guide movements. 65-67 Queen's Gate, South Kensington London, Greater London, England, SW7 5JS Attraction Type: Museum Location: on the corner of Queens' Gate and Cromwell Road, opposite The Natural History Museum Website: Baden-Powell House Email: bph.conferences@scout.org.uk Phone: 020 7590 6909 Fax: 020 7590 6902 Location map OS TQ265 790 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bank of England Museum    The Bank of England Museum is a fascinating walk through time, looking back at the history of this venerable institution from its inception by royal charter in 1694. Threadneedle Street, London, Greater London, England, EC2R 8AH Attraction Type: Museum Location: entrance in Bartholomew Lane Website: Bank of England Museum Email: museum@bankofengland.co.uk Phone: 020 7601 5545 Location map Details of Bank of England Museum OS TQ311 823 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bankside Gallery    The Bankside Gallery is the home of the Royal Watercolour Society (established 1804), and the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers (1880), and serves as a permanent exhibition space for artists of both societies. 48 Hopton Street, London, Greater London, England, SE1 9JH Attraction Type: Museum Location: adjacent to Tate Modern Website: Bankside Gallery Email: info@banksidegallery.com Phone: 020 7928 7521 Fax: 020 7928 7520 Location map OS TQ318 805 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Benjamin Franklin House    The last surviving home of Benjamin Franklin is this Georgian townhouse in Craven Street. Today the house is a living museum and education centre dedicated to this remarkable man. Explore Franklin's life in London through his own words, and see history come to life. 36 Craven Street, London, Greater London, England, WC2N 5NF Attraction Type: Museum Location: Just around the corner from Charing Cross Station Website: Benjamin Franklin House Email: info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org Phone: +44 (0)207 839 2006 Fax: +44 (0)207 930 9124 Location map Details of Benjamin Franklin House OS TQ302804 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bethal Green Museum of Childhood    The national collection of toys and games, children's costume, nursery furniture and baby equipment. Dolls and doll houses, toys and costumes of childhood. Ongoing exhibition programme and special events. Cambridge Heath Road, London, Greater London, England, E2 9PA Attraction Type: Museum Website: Bethal Green Museum of Childhood Email: mocbookings@vam.ac.uk Phone: 020 8983 5200 Location map Details of Bethal Green Museum of Childhood OS TQ351 828 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bramah's Museum of Tea and Coffee    A unique museum exploring the traditions of tea and coffee in Britain, their cultural significance and social impact. Displays include a variety of ceramics and art associated with tea. 40 Southwark Street, London, Greater London, England, SE1 1UN Attraction Type: Museum Location: near Vinopolis wine museum, and Borough market Website: Bramah's Museum of Tea and Coffee Email: bramah@teaandcoffeemuseum.com Phone: 020 7403 5650 Fax: 020 7407 5388 Location map OS TQ323 801 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Britain at War    This museum recreates the world of the Blitz in England during the darkest days of World War II. Much more than just static exhibits behind glass cases, the Britain at War museum tries to recreate every aspect of life at the height of the London Blitz. 64 - 66 Tooley Street, London Bridge London, Greater London, England, SE1 2TF Attraction Type: Museum Location: between London Bridge and Tower Bridge Website: Britain at War Email: info@britainatwar.org.uk Phone: 020 7403 3171 Fax: 020 7403 5104 Location map OS TQ331 802 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

British Library    This wonderful library, housed in ultramodern buildings, is divided into public and member areas. To enter the reading rooms you need to apply for a reader's card, but the public areas, including 3 exhibition galleries, are open to all. Illuminated Manuscripts Gallery, Shakespeare original folios, the Gutenburg Bible, and original author's manuscripts, as well as changing exhibits and an events program make this a must visit if you love books. 96 Euston Road, London, Greater London, England, NW1 2DB Attraction Type: Museum Location: opposite St Pancras station Website: British Library Phone: 0870 444 1500 Location map Details of British Library OS TQ300828 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

British Museum   You can spend a lifetime seeing this museum. Archaeology, drawings, coins, armour, and on and on. One of the great museums of the world. Great Russell Street, London, Greater London, England, WC1B 3DG Attraction Type: Museum Location: The main entrance is on Great Russell Street, with an alternate entrance on Montague Place. Website: British Museum Email: information@britishmuseum.org Phone: 020 7323 8299 Fax: 020 7323 8616 Location map Details of British Museum OS TQ301 817 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Cabinet War Rooms    The underground headquarters of the British High Command during WWII, carefully preserved. Churchill would feel right at home here. Clive Steps, King Charles Street London, Greater London, England, SW1A 2AQ Attraction Type: Museum Location: across from SW corner of St James's Park Website: Cabinet War Rooms Email: cwr@iwm.org.uk Phone: 020 7930 6961 Fax: 020 7839 5897 Location map OS TQ300 798 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Church Farmhouse Museum    Part of a former dairy farm, Church Farmhouse is a mid 17th century property that has been restored to show was life was like here at various periods in the past. The kitchen has been restored to what it would have been like in 1820, including a clockwork spit-jack in the open fireplace. The dining room illustrates the 1850 period, and there are some earlier examples of furniture in place. Greyhound Hill, Hendon London, Greater London, England, NW4 4JR Attraction Type: Museum Website: Church Farmhouse Museum Email: info@churchfarmhousemuseum.co.uk Phone: 020 83593 942 Location map OS TQ227 895 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Clink Prison Museum   The Clink is the prison that gave its name to prisons everywhere. The Clink was owned by the Bishops of Winchester, who maintained a residence on the south bank of the Thames. The Bishop licensed brothels on Bankside, and from the 12th century the Clink was used to house prostitutes and their customers who ran afoul of the Bishop's rules. The Clink was a holding place for prisoners, attached to the Bishop of Winchester's House, or Palace, on what is now Clink Street, a short walk from Southwark Cathedral. 1 Clink Street, London, Greater London, England, SE1 9DG Attraction Type: Museum Location: 10 minute walk from London Bridge tube station Website: Clink Prison Museum Phone: 020 7403 6515 Location map OS TQ325 804 Heritage Highlight: The historic prison building that gave its name to prisons in general. This is where the phrase 'being sent to the clink' comes from. Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Clockmakers' Museum    One of the many attractions grouped about the historic London Guildhall, this museum is run as a charity by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. It tells the fascinating story of the "Clockmakers of London" through a priceless collection of clocks, watches, portraits and tools. Aldermanbury, London, Greater London, England, EC2P 2EJ Attraction Type: Museum Location: one entrance via Aldermanbury and another via Guildhall Yard Website: Clockmakers' Museum Email: Printedbooks.guildhall@corpoflondon.gov.uk Phone: 020 7332 1868 Location map OS TQ311 823 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Courtauld Gallery    Art gallery of the University of London, specialising in Impressionist paintings, but also good for Rennaissance, Barocque, and modern works. Somerset House, Strand London, Greater London, England, WC2R 0RN Attraction Type: Museum Website: Courtauld Gallery Phone: 020 7872 0220 Location map OS TQ308 808 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Cutty Sark and Gypsy Moth   Two for the price of one, these famous boats (ships?) are appropriately enshrined as permanent exhibits just yards from the River Thames. The Cutty Sark was the last and most famous tea-clipper built for the lucrative China tea trade. In the miniscule (by comparison) Gypsy Moth Sir Francis Chichester sailed single-handedly around the world in 1966-67. Cutty Sark Conservation Project Visitor Centre, Cutty Sark Gardens London, Greenwich, Greater London, England, SE10 9HT Attraction Type: Museum Location: Rail station: Maze Hill, or by Docklands Light Rail to Island Gardens station then through the foot tunnel under the Thames, or by Riverbus to Greenwich Pier Website: Cutty Sark and Gypsy Moth Email: enquiries@cuttysark.org.uk Phone: +44 (0) 20 8858 2698 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8858 6976 The Cutty Sark Trust Location map OS TQ382779 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Fashion and Textile Museum    The Fashion and Textile Museum recognises Britain's international success in the fashion industry and showcases works of outstanding British and international designers. Rotating Exhibitions represent the best of vintage and modern fashion and textile design. 83 Bermondsey Street, London, Greater London, England, SE1 3XF Attraction Type: Museum Website: Fashion and Textile Museum Email: info@ftmlondon.org Phone: 020 7407 8664 Fax: 020 7089 9416 Location map OS TQ333 798 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Florence Nightingale Museum    This is where the Lady of the Lamp founded her School of Nursing in 1860, and the museum details her work to improve nursing standards and hygeine. St Thomas' Hospital, 2 Lambeth Palace Road London, Greater London, England, SE1 7EW Attraction Type: Museum Location: at the foot of Westminster Bridge Website: Florence Nightingale Museum Email: info@florence-nightingale.co.uk Phone: 020 7620 0374 Location map OS TQ308 796 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Foundling Museum    A unique combination of art and social history, one of London's newest museums recreates the 18th century hospital established to care for the 1000 babies abandoned in the capital every year, and which, through William Hogarth, one of the Foundling Hospital's original governors, sparked the formation of the Royal Academy of the Arts. Today the museum houses works by Hogarth and his contemporaries, in fully restored interiors. 40 Brunswick Square, London, Greater London, England, WC1N 1AZ Attraction Type: Museum Website: Foundling Museum Email: enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk Phone: 020 7841 3600 Location map OS TQ304 824 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Freud Museum    The London home of the founder of modern psychoanalytical method, Sigmund Freud and his family after their escape from Austria in 1938. The library and study, where Freud worked, have been preserved exactly as they were during his lifetime. The house contain's Freud's extensive collection of antiquities, and exhibits related to the work of Anna Freud' Sigmund's daughter, who lived here until her death in 1982. The most famous of all the exhibits must surely be Freud's couch, where his pyschoanalysis patients relaxed during sessions. 20 Maresfield Gardens , London, Greater London, England, NW3 5SX Attraction Type: Museum Location: between Swiss Cottage and Hampstead Website: Freud Museum Email: info@freud.org.uk Phone: 020 7435 2002 Fax: 020 7431 5452 Location map OS TQ264849 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Fulham Palace and Museum    The residence of the Bishops of London, Fulham Palace houses a museum set in lovely riverside gardens. The museum illustrates the history of Fulham Palace itself, plus displays of fine art, archaeology, local history, and artefacts associated with the Bishops of London. Bishop's Avenue, London, Greater London, England, SW6 6EA Attraction Type: Museum Website: Fulham Palace and Museum Email: museum@fulhampalace.org Phone: 020 7736 3233 Fax: 020 7751 0164 Location map OS TQ240761 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

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