Explore the fascinating history of British consumer culture at the Museum of Brands, where over 12,000 items such as food packages, toys, advertisements, and various consumer products tell the story of how daily life has evolved over the decades. This unique collection offers a tangible look into the past and present, showcasing the evolution of branding and consumer habits.
The museum's centerpiece is the renowned "time tunnel," a journey that takes visitors through the decades from the Victorian era all the way to modern times. As you walk through this timeline, you'll see how products and packaging have evolved, reflecting broader changes in society and consumer trends. This engaging journey may take anywhere from an hour to two, depending on how much time is spent admiring the intricate details of each display.
Beyond the time tunnel, the museum features a range of smaller exhibits. These displays delve into topics such as innovations in packaging, the development of personalized labels, and the potential future of eco-friendly packaging solutions. Additionally, visitors can explore how individual brands have transformed over the years, highlighting the adaptability and creativity of the consumer goods industry.
After exploring the exhibits, the museum's gift shop offers a delightful selection of nostalgia-themed products that evoke memories of the past. For those looking to embrace more sustainable living, the shop also provides a range of reusable items designed to help reduce plastic use, a thoughtful reminder of the impact of packaging seen throughout the museum.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Brands
Worth a quick visit if you are passing. The brick and stone neo-Byzantine Catholic Cathedral (not to be confused with the much more famous Westminster Abbey) is near Victoria Station, just off Victoria Street. Construction started in 1895, and some of the interior is still unfinished. The Treasures of Westminster Cathedral exhibition is inexpensive and worthwhile for learning the history of the cathedral, there are interesting exhibits including a 1:28 wooden scale model uses by the architects. Has a café and gift shop.
All non-classified government documents can be read and photographed here, with a (free) reader's card having been obtained. There is also a small museum, which does not require the card to access.
Official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, completed in 1753.
Houses the British national collection of western European art dating from the 13th to 19th centuries. A truly awe-inspiring collection, notable works include Hans Holbein's The Ambassadors, Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Constable's The Haywain. The vast majority of art is free of charge to visit. Temporary exhibitions are generally fairly costly, but invariably well researched and presented. The audioguides are very comprehensive, have comments on most of the paintings in the museum, and are free though this fact is not advertised. A donation is suggested. In addition to courses, workshops, lectures and other events, the National Gallery has free talks and tours every day.
The Guildhall Art Gallery houses the City Corporation's art collection, and also runs special exhibitions throughout the year. During construction of the modern gallery, workers discovered the ruins of London's Roman amphitheatre. The gallery was redesigned, and now the Amphitheatre is open to the public within the Guildhall Art Gallery itself and also free of charge.
This church on the bank of the Thames was built in 1157. It is the only church in London with chained books. A statue of Thomas More sits in front of the church.
A 900-year-old tree stump carved and painted to feature elves and small animals.
On the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Palace of Westminster is the seat of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It's often termed the "Mother of All Parliaments" - an exaggeration, but perhaps only a slight one. The present building largely dates from the 19th century when it was rebuilt following a fire in a splendid example of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture. The House of Commons (elected Members of Parliament or MPs) is located to the north of the building and is decorated with green leather upholstery, and the House of Lords (unelected Lords) is located to the south and decorated with red leather upholstery.
Originally the private garden of Holland House, much of which was destroyed in the London Blitz, Holland Park is a mixture of woodland, European and Japanese-style formal gardens and leisure facilities. It includes a large field dedicated to football and cricket, as well as tennis courts. As you walk around the park, you can see bits of the house dotted around the place which give you some idea of how grand it used to be. In the summer this is a great place to catch outdoor opera. An ecology centre near the police station provides information about the ecology of the park and arranges various activities for children. There is a café in the park that sells ice creams and hot food. The park is a popular way to walk from Notting Hill to Kensington High Street.
Named in honour of Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert, this museum has existed for over 150 years. It contains a huge collection of decorative arts from all over the world and far back in time. Trying to see everything in one day would be exhausting, so use the excellent maps the V&A provides to plan where you want to go. There are regular exhibitions concentrating on a particular theme from Chinese art to fashion designers. Frequently they put on children's activities and late DJ nights.
The main headquarters of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and a Grade II* listed building.
Beautiful Italianate church created during the Catholic revival of the 19th century.
A memorial made out of 52 stainless steel columns representing each of the 52 victims who died in a series of terrorist attacks in the London bombings on July 7th, 2005.
A Victorian school, now a university with a mission to advance knowledge of the fine arts. Exhibitions are common. Times and admission charges vary but can often be free, although visitors may need to book tickets to certain events.