The Geffrye Museum

We visited this museum in late August, 2008. Set in the former almshouses of the Ironmonger's Company in Shoreditch, East London. It is the only museum in the UK to specialise in furniture and domestic interiors of the urban middle classes. Especially interesting was the walk through time displays of living rooms from the 17th century display with oak furniture and panelling through to a late 20th century living space in a converted warehouse. Lovely detail with ornaments, artwork, wallpapers, curtains and furniture. Outside is a walled herb garden and a series of period garden rooms. Also the front lawns of the building are just perfect to either sit and read or just relax.

This museum of period rooms is set up in an old almshouse. The almshouse and its gardens are a wonderful peaceful space in the busy city. Inside, there are many rooms with furnishings from the different periods in English history (I was startled to see one from the 1960's, which I remember well! They had it exactly right.). There is an excellent gift shop with everything from postcards to very expensive art objects.