Day 2. The Faraday Museum & Wallace Collection, London

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

A much brighter morning and gladly somewhat milder than yesterday.  After taking a train to Victoria from Clapham Junction, the country’s busiest railway station we rode the Underground one stop to Green Park as we wished to visit the Royal Institution on Albemarle Street, just off Piccadilly.

The Royal Institution, London
The Royal Institution, London

In the basement of the Royal Institution you will find the Faraday Museum where over 200 years of Science can be explored.  The theme of the Museum is experimentation and we were able to view Faraday’s magnetic laboratory displays as if it was the 1850’s.  Michael Faraday was one of the most influential scientists in history researching electromagnetism and electrochemistry.

Faraday's Magnetic Laboratory, RI.
Faraday’s Magnetic Laboratory, RI.

Contrasting from this we were brought up-to-date with a state-of-the-art nanotechnology laboratory.  If you have an interest in science this small museum is a good place to visit, open weekdays only with free admission, details can be found here.  We had hoped to take a look in the ornate lecture theatre which is usually open to visitors but during our visit it had been booked out by an outside organisation.  The Royal Institution’s lecture theatre is famous for its annual Christmas Lectures being the UK’s flagship science series on television which are fascinating to watch.  The Lectures were created by Michael Faraday in 1825 and he continued to present the annual series for nineteen years.

Hertford House home of the Wallace Collection
Hertford House home of the Wallace Collection

From there we strolled through Mayfair glancing in the windows of Ralph Lauren, Tiffanys etc. as we made our way to Piccadilly Circus for a reviving cup of coffee.  Feeling refreshed, we were soon on our way again, this time to Bond Street Station so that we could visit Hertford House, the home of the Wallace Collection.  It’s a national museum in an historic London Town house and is set in a quiet backwater overlooking Manchester Square, yet just steps away from bustling Oxford Street with its many tourists and shoppers.

Hertford House home of the Wallace Collection
Opulent interior of Hertford House

Admission to the museum is free and it is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. containing over 5,500 pieces of French 18th century art, porcelain, furniture, and armoury displayed in the 25 galleries of this splendid period home.

Hertford House home of the Wallace Collection
Wallace Collection, Hertford House

Hertford House is the former townhouse of the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford.  The Wallace Collection was established from the private collection of the 4th Marquess of Hertford bequeathed to the nation.  The collection opened to the public in 1900 and a condition of the bequest was that no item should leave the collection even for loan exhibitions elsewhere.

Hertford House home of the Wallace Collection
The attractive Atrium cafe at Hertford House, London

Leaving here, it was time for some shopping so we headed to Selfridges which is so huge that it would be quite easy to get lost in this vast retail emporium.  We spent some time exploring several floors but weren’t tempted into buying anything.  A few years ago a period drama ‘Mr. Selfridge’ was broadcast on ITV about the founder and its store.  I really enjoyed watching this and also reading the book on which it was based ‘Shopping, Seduction and Mr. Selfridge’ by Lindy Woodhead.  If you haven’t seen the television series or read the book you might be interested to look out for them as they provide an insight into early retail development and the rise and fall of it’s American founder Harry Gordon Selfridge.

Tower of London
Tower of London

We enjoyed dinner near Tower Bridge and then returned on foot to London Bridge underground station along the Thames admiring the iconic sights along the way.  The end of another fun filled day in London.

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A winter break in London

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50 thoughts on “Day 2. The Faraday Museum & Wallace Collection, London”

  1. Looks like a great day Marion. So much to see and do in London. We have never been to Selfridges, as we always seem to gravitate to Harrods. Interesting to note Selfridges is now Canadian owned. Thanks for sharing. Allan

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  14. Sounds like you had a great day! Being an electrical engineer, I would love to see the Faraday laboratory! If I ever make a trip to London, I’ll have to keep that in mind. I love that all of the museums are free of charge. Wish they were like that here, but, then again, if they were, our taxes would probably be a lot higher. Looking forward to reading about day 3.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words on my Day 2 post. I’m sure you would enjoy the Faraday Museum, we are interested in science so really enjoyed our visit. We are fortunate in some ways that many of our museums are free but a nominal charge for everyone and lower taxes would perhaps be a better option.

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