Museums & Galleries of London

by Abigail Willis

An updated fourth edition remains the only comprehensive guide to both museums and galleries in London, complete with floor plans of major locations and plenty of crowdbusting tips Whether a traveler is interested in firefighting or fine art, tennis or toys, London's museums and galleries offer incredible choice for culture vultures?the only problem is knowing where to look. This newly revised pocket guide provides all the information needed, with comprehensive coverage of museums and galleries across the city as well as London’s vibrant commercial art scene, art fairs, degree shows, heritage venues, archives, and libraries. Floor plans, street maps, and an exhaustive subject index will help travelers rediscover old favorites such as the Science Museum and track down newcomers such as the Household Cavalry Museum and the wonderfully quirky Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising. With details of museum cafes and shops and crowdbusting tips on London’s lesser-known museums, this guide is essential reading for visitors and Londoners alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, London

260 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Courtney Williams]

I probably shouldn't count this as part of my reading challenge as I skimmed the entries that didn't interest me, though considering the length of my new "To Visit" list, I think I still read a considerable fraction!

I would definitely recommend this book if you're interested in visiting museums and galleries in London, either as a tourist or a local. This edition was published in 2012 so it's a little bit out of date, but most of the information seems reliable (museums aren't exactly liable to change drastically all the time, though I suspect some featured in this book may have closed in the last three years as victims of austerity). All the useful information is here, as well as insider tips and advice on planning your trip where appropriate, for example in South Kensington's "Big Three" museums. My boyfriend was disappointed to hear that the Soseki Museum isn't featured, so this book isn't totally and utterly comprehensive, but it's pretty darn close.

There isn't much more to say about this book except that it's very useful and worth a look, even if you just get it out of the library and take notes as I did.