London is undoubtedly one of the culture capitals of the world, with dozens of galleries and museums devoted to every topic imaginable. From traditional art and science to the more obscure subjects of packaging, wax figures and the postal service, you can find a museum relating to almost anything in this diverse capital.
If you’re planning a short city break at the Grand Royale London Hyde Park this year, and want to soak up as much culture as you can, here are four of the most interesting museums in the city for you to enjoy.
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ, England
With the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I approaching, now is the perfect time to pay a visit to the Imperial War Museum. The museum focuses on the stories of those whose lives have been impacted by war all over the world, detailing the everyday activities and extraordinary occurrences that define wartime. Permanent exhibitions at the museum include The Holocaust Exhibition, A Family In Wartime and Curiosities of War. If you’re visiting in early 2018, you will also be able to view the temporary exhibition, Age of Terror: Art since 9/11.
Entry is free to all, and the museum is located near many hotels in Bayswater area London, for easy access.
Charles Dickens Museum
Charles Dickens Museum 48 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX, England
Even today, the works of Charles Dickens are viewed as the definitive portrait of life in London. This museum is inside the author’s only remaining London house, and contains the biggest Dickens collection in the world. Inside, you’ll find manuscripts, rare editions of his best-loved books, paintings and other personal items from when he lived at this address. Many of the living spaces in the house have been preserved, so you can see how Dickens and his family may have lived.
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising
111-117 Lancaster Road | Notting Hill, London W11 1QT, England
Just a short stroll away from the Grand Royale London Hyde Park, you’ll find this quirky little museum that will take on you a trip down memory lane. This treasure trove of retro adverts and vintage packaging will make you feel just like a child again. Can you remember how the old Oxo cubes used to look? How about the iconic Brasso tin that could be found in the cupboards of every household? This museum will certainly refresh your memory, with more than 12,000 items that will transport you back in time.
V&A – Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL, England
Now for something a little more traditional – the spectacular V&A Museum. Renowned as ‘the world’s leading museum of art and design’, this enormous attraction is the permanent home of 2.3m objects that span 5,000 years of human creativity and imagination. From architecture and textiles to photography and jewellery, you’ll find something here that intrigues you. You’ll also find a range of temporary exhibitions here, including Winnie the Pooh: Exploring A Classic, Opera: Passion, Power and Politics, and Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion.
