British Museum The British Museum was founded in 1753 and opened to the public on 15 January 1759, becoming the world’s first national public museum. It was made up of a substantial collection bequeathed to the nation by physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane, so this baronet was in many ways the de facto founder of […]
Keats House Museum in Hampstead is devoting much of its autumn programme to the work, literary influence and friendship of poets John Keats, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley and Frankenstein novelist Mary Shelley. Keats and Shelley were quite close. On hearing of Keats’ ailing health, Shelley advised him to convalesce at Shelley’s family retreat in Italy […]
English Romantic poet John Keats lived a short life that was in many ways the archetypal tragic and poverty-stricken existence we expect of such literary figures. What still exists is his body of work and, of course, Keats House, his home in Hampstead. Formerly Wentworth Place, this Regency villa has been a museum since 1925 […]
The Museum of London’s scheduled move to Smithfield Market gets the green light after an announcement that £180 million of the required £270 million has already been raised. It sourced the bulk of this funding (£110 million) from the City of London Corporation, with Mayor Sadiq Khan committing to £70 million. This capital injection underscores […]
Britain’s biggest tourist attraction averages 6 million visitors a year but none of this success would have happened if its wealthy benefactor Sir Hans Sloane (wealthy enough to have Sloane Square named after him) hadn’t bequeath his collection of 71,000 curious objects to the nation after his death in 1753. In that same year, these […]
An East End duel between The Jack the Ripper Museum in Whitechapel and the recently opened pop-up museum East End Women: The Real Story near Shadwell played out in the national press only when there was a hint of confrontation. Not the type of publicity either would have sought but emotions run high where the […]
Britain’s history as a global naval power during the era of empire is preserved in splendid grandeur in Greenwich’s National Maritime Museum and ideally located within walking distance of the harboured Cutty Sark so you can make a day of it. It’s surprising to learn that at its height the British empire covered a quarter […]
Described by the guide as the oldest and largest museum in the world, (the prior fact debatable the latter fact certainly possible) this tour kicks off every day 11.30am sharp at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s grand entrance. Even the most learned historian would struggle here as a visitor so you soon realise this free […]
A 10-15 minute walk from Colindale station on the Northern line, on Aerodrome Road is vast expanse of land of what used to be the Hendon aerodrome, now the RAF museum. Be sure to pick a map of the place at the Reception as you will likely get lost in the vastness of the place […]
Is Tower Hill the place to chill? Tower Hill has a fascinating history and its unmissable landmark the Tower of London was recently voted the UK’s number one paid attraction. Join What’s Hot London? on a journey through its tumultuous history and intriguing royal heritage. We also stop off at its lively riverside eateries […]
Hillary Clinton Graffiti/Painting Shoreditch By Street Artist Pegasus
