An item off my museum bucket list as I visit the Bethlem Museum of the Mind in Beckenham, South London. A very contemporary look at mental health diagnoses and treatment, as well as an intriguing temporary exhibition featuring the cats of Louis Wain. A Potted History of Bethlem Hospital Few institutions that we now know […]
A review of an outing to English Heritage’s Ranger’s House and Wernher Collection, on the border between Blackheath and Greenwich Park. A homeless collection and a collection-less house: a match made in heaven? Ranger’s House – A History Have you heard of the Ranger’s House? I don’t blame you if you haven’t, I’m sure many […]
A description of a visit to the South London Gallery, including their two current exhibitions, Bloomsberg New Contemporaries 2021 and Shut the Club Down. Intriguing gallery spaces show the development of South East London’s suburban communities. The South London Gallery The South London Gallery is an arts venue close to home for me. Just around […]
A visit to the Bow Street Police Museum reveals a proud history of pioneering police work in this part of London. A History of Early Policing At Bow Street I have been to the Royal Opera House numerous times. And yet I don’t think I had ever paid attention to the building just across the […]
A review of Benjamin Franklin House, the only remaining house in the world to have been home to the American statesman and inventor. A real hidden gem, and fascinating insight into London’s history. Benjamin Franklin For someone so associated with America and in particular Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin sure spent a lot of time in London. […]
A review of the Museu de Marinha (Naval Museum) and Fragata (Frigate) Dom Fernando II e Glória. Together, this substantial museum and restored naval frigate give interesting insights into maritime life in Portugal. Naval Lisbon Lisbon was long the capital of an empire. It sits on a river estuary as it joins the Atlantic. Bold […]
A review of a visit to the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga in Lisbon. This very traditional national art museum in the European tradition nevertheless has some distinctive sights to see. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga Lisbon’s Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art) feels like a slightly odd place. It is […]
A visit to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon. Wow, so this is what generous funds and plentiful space can do for a museum display! Calouste Gulbenkian? Who’s That? If you spend any time in the museums of Lisbon, you will come across the name Calouste Gulbenkian. Not only does he have a substantial museum […]
A description of a visit to the Museu do Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre Museum) in Lisbon. This hidden gem in the Alfama district is a great way to understand the layers of the city’s history. Lisbon’s Roman Theatre Lisbon is a city with a long history. It is in fact one of the oldest settlements […]
A review of a recent visit to the Brunel Museum, Rotherhithe. Includes the engine house and tunnel shaft. A small museum which gives a real sense of the scale of Victorian engineering projects. The Thames Tunnel – Marc Brunel’s Triumph (?) For one reason or another (part laziness, part lockdown), I didn’t visit the Brunel […]
