Six small London museums perfect for your next getaway
Want to avoid the summer crowds but also see great art? Here are the best lesser-known London museums to put on your holiday itinerary.
The Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection. Photo by Thierry Bal © The Trustees of the Wallace Collection
An island of peace smack in the centre of the West End, the Wallace Collection is always enchantingly calm and unassumingly gorgeous – especially if you are into 18th century French art, or the Renaissance, or arms and armour, or… Dutch paintings, gilt bronzes, French furniture, porcelain etc. The most famous works are Fragonard’s The Swing and Frans Hals’ The Laughing Cavalier. But there are also Marie Antoinette’s secretaire (desk) by Reisener and Catherine the Great’s ice cream cooler by Sevres. If simply looking is not enough, the Wallace Collection always has a programme of talks and workshops for all ages. Currently these include events related to dogs in art – from the Renaissance to David Hockney and Lucian Freud. Oh, and the permanent collection and daily highlights tours are completely free.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Recently restored Soane’s Drawing Office open to public tours. Photo from @soanemuseum by @gardnergareth
What do you think of when you hear the words ‘architect’s home’? Clean lines, open spaces, flowing light? Well, you are in for a bit of a shock at this one. Soane’s house is a cleverly designed maze filled with antiquities, furniture, sculpture, architectural models, and paintings. Here more is more. One of England’s greatest architects, he did not hold back, and you will see the house exactly how he left it when he died in 1837. There is even an Egyptian pharaoh’s sarcophagus! In addition to free entry, you’ll find a programme of free exhibitions, many including contemporary art and architecture that engage with the main collection.
The Courtauld Gallery
The Courtauld Gallery. Cecily Brown, Unmoored from her reflection, 2021. Oil on linen, 149 x 539 cm © Cecily Brown. Courtesy the artist, Thomas Dane Gallery. Photo © David Levene.
Ok, calling Courtauld ‘small’ is a bit of a stretch. But British Museum it isn’t and, during a busy summer tourist season, this isn’t a bad thing. It’s a treasure trove for fans of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. You’ll find both Manet and Monet here, along with Van Gough, Cezanne, Renoir etc. Not that I’m name-dropping. Even though the gallery is famous for its 19th century art, this only forms half the collection. There are also Renaissance greats; I’m talking Rubens, Botticelli, Bruegel, Cranach… sorry, couldn’t resist. There really is quite a lot to explore here, and entrance is free for students and under-18s.
Kenwood House
Kenwood House. © English Heritage
A gorgeous cream-coloured Palladian mansion sitting at the top of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House has beautiful grounds outside and a very photogenic library within. Also one of the most significant collections of Dutch art in England – including a Rembrandt self-portrait and one of only four Vermeers in town. Yes, you read correctly. Wander the rooms of lavish English paintings from different periods – Mrs Musters as Hebe by Sir Joshua Reynolds featured prominently in Downton Abbey. It’s part of the English Heritage – free entrance and enthusiastic volunteer guides in every room.
Leighton House
Leighton House, photo from @leightonsambournemuseums
This artist’s house thoroughly lives up to what you might expect of a late Victorian Pre-Raphaelite’s quarters. President of the Royal Academy in his time, Leighton is now particularly famous for his work Flaming June – study for which is on free access display here. The house is a mishmash of culturally appropriated decoration – let’s call it artistic licence – with an exceptional collection of tiles. The Arab Hall, complete with a fountain and lattice windows, is a sight to behold. As are the deep blue walls of the ground floor, and first floor’s full-length studio windows. The museum has recently undergone a refurbishment and welcomes visitors. Its Tavolozza Drawing Gallery is free to visit and has a programme of changing exhibitions. For an entrance fee you can immerse yourself in the world of 19th century living and art, with no VR headset in sight.
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery
Pitzhanger Manor, photo from @pitzhanger
It turns out the show apartment is not a modern invention. Sir John Soane tried his most innovative designs on this place and then invited prospective clients to dine. The manor has recently been renovated and restored back to Soane’s original vision. But Pitzhanger combines a love of the old with interest in the new/er. Current exhibitions include examination of Anthony Caro’s architectural sculpture in the gallery, and from 28 June Erin O’Keefe’s paintings will be interwoven with the historic living spaces of the manor. Entry to all exhibitions is included in the ticket, which is free for under 16s.