Day 3.  The Imperial War Museum & Chinese New Year Celebrations

On By Little Miss TravellerIn London, London, January 2017, United Kingdom

I’ve visited the Imperial Museum North at Salford Quays, Manchester a couple of times but had not visited the main site in London so on this cold, dreary morning we decided to take a look.  The nearest underground station is Lambeth North but this is currently closed whilst the lifts are being replaced so as an alternative, we headed to Elephant and Castle which was only a ten minute walk to Harmsworth Park where the museum is located.

Imperial War Museum, London
Imperial War Museum, London

Imperial War Museum London is open daily and admission is free except for special exhibitions where a fee is payable.  The Museum moved to its current location on Lambeth Road, SE1 in 1936, the building previously the Bethlem Royal Hospital, Southwark.  We started our tour in the large Atrium which displays a vast amount of military hardware including tanks, vehicles and aircraft from the First World War to the Falklands Conflict

The Atrium Gallery, Imperial War Museum
The Atrium Gallery, Imperial War Museum

We spent quite some time exploring the First World War galleries before moving on to the  ‘Family at War’ section.  Here, we were able to follow the Allpress family of ten who lived nearby in Lambeth.  The gallery displays a large family tree which detailed the roles each family member undertook during the Second World War.  We were able to look in reconstructed rooms furnished as they would have been in the 1940’s and view the cramped Air Raid Shelter that had been at the bottom of their garden.  The displays explained how families coped with rationing, evacuation and war work from the time of the Blitz up until VE Day.  Although I enjoyed viewing military hardware, the Family at War galleries brought home to me the hardships that ordinary families caught up in the conflict had to suffer and, as such, I was most interested in the social history aspect of the museum.

Atrium Gallery, Imperial War Museum
Atrium Gallery, Imperial War Museum

It was then time for some lunch so we took the Underground to Leicester Square from where we walked the short distance to Chinatown which lies just to the north of there.  The area was crammed full of people as it was Chinese New Year.  Roads were closed to traffic and the streets were adorned with red paper lanterns.  A lion dancing troupe was entertaining the huge crowds stopping at Chinese restaurants where staff were leaning out of upstairs windows waving long sticks with food dangling on the end for the dancers.

Lion dancers Chinese New Year London
Lion dancers taking food dangling from windows

It was so interesting to watch the dancers and despite it being cold the rain clouds had stayed away.  Most of the activity seemed to be based around Gerrard Street where there are an abundance of Chinese restaurants, supermarkets and shops.  Even the street signs here are displayed in both English and Mandarin.

Lion dancers, Chinatown, London
Lion dancers, Chinatown, London

It was much too crowded to eat in one of the Chinese restaurants without a reservation so instead we headed to Canary Wharf for dinner and then enjoyed a short walk there before heading back to our hotel for the night.

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Chinese New Year celebrations and the Museum of London

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39 thoughts on “Day 3.  The Imperial War Museum & Chinese New Year Celebrations”

  1. I like museums that offer a snapshot of what life was like during certain eras, as opposed simply glorifying war. These types teach us that war is to be avoided whenever possible. It is always good to happen upon a local celebration, while on holiday. It makes for a much more memorable. Thanks for sharing Marion. Allan

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  2. Pingback: Day 2. Exploring Manchester by tram – Love Travelling Blog

  3. Pingback: Day 2. The Faraday Museum & Wallace Collection, London – Love Travelling Blog

  10. Having lived in Singapore for ten years I came to enjoy meeting with my Chinese friends in their home at the time of their new year. It’s a privilege usually granted to family members so we felt specially honoured to be included.

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  16. The Chinese New Year celebrations look wonderful – so colourful and vibrant. We’ve been to the War Museum on the Quays many times but never yet to the one in London. I find the social history the most interesting too and I love the sound of the Family At War section.

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  18. Thanks for sharing, Marion. I would love the chance to be part of Chinese New Year celebrations one year, that must be a Street Photographers dream. I’ve never went to the war museum in London, but looks like I should as I love vintage airplanes. The last similar Museum I visited was in Brussels the Musée Royal de l’Armée, which is also quite spectacular. Have a great day! Marcus

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