Sir John Soane's Museum

About Sir John Soane's Museum

Former residence of Sir John Soane, architect of the Bank of England. Over 20,000 architectural drawings, antiquities and works by Hogarth, Turner, Canaletto and Piranesi. Two sets of paintings by William Hogarth and the Egyptian Sarcophagus of Seti I.

Facilities

Opening Times Sir John Soane's Museum is open free: Tuesday to Saturday inclusive, 10.00-17.00. Also on the first Tuesday evening of each month, 18.00-21.00pm when admission is £5 (from 1 May 2007). Closed Sunday, Monday, Bank holidays and Christmas Eve.

Sir John Soane's Museum Address

Address:
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3BP
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7405 2107
Fax: +44 (0)20 7831 3957

Related Categories

 

Location Information for Sir John Soane's Museum

Address:
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3BP
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7405 2107
Fax: +44 (0)20 7831 3957
Public transport: Holborn, London Underground
By Road: Tube: Holborn

Getting There

Going to Sir John Soane's Museum using public transport? Find the fastest route:

Advanced options
Get here with Journey Planner
 
Sir John Soane's Museum
Maps provided by Collins     © Collins Bartholomew 2009

What else is near Sir John Soane's Museum?

London Explorer
 

Trip Advisor ®

Traveller Rating:

4.5
Based on 12 reviews
Ranked #13

  Latest 5 reviews of Sir John Soane's Museum

Quirky excellence

This lovely home/museum was left by its owner as long as it remained largely intact. That is the true charm and delight of Sir John Soane's Museum. The venue is quite small, so patrons cue outside...

This lovely home/museum was left by its owner as long as it remained largely intact. That is the true charm and delight of Sir John Soane's Museum. The venue is quite small, so patrons cue outside before being admitted by a guide. We didn't wait long, however, and once inside it was all worth it, free admission as well.

Soane, the architect for Bank of England, was also a professor of the subject who collected everything, especially with the view to teaching his students from his own collection. The gems of my visit were Hogarth's "The Rake's Progress" (series of 8), as well as his "Election" series of 4 scathing indictments of politics.

The rooms refurbished & designed by Soane are quirky. I found myself smiling with fascination much of the visit. Don't miss this place!

 
5.0
11 January 2009
by crewsaustin, North Berwick Scotland
 

Lovely small museum, off the beaten path

My favorite of the smaller museums in London! It is really just a house, but it has so many nooks and crannies, and so many things packed into it, that it seems much larger than it is. Although Sir...

My favorite of the smaller museums in London! It is really just a house, but it has so many nooks and crannies, and so many things packed into it, that it seems much larger than it is. Although Sir Joan Soane was an architect, his museum houses much more than architectural curiosities. The museum has Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Medieval European, and Renaissance statutes, mosaics, pottery, furniture, timepieces, and even the The Sarcophagus of Seti from 1370 BC. There is a very nice collection of paintings as well. Get here early, because there may be lines, and the building is small so not many people can visit at the same time.

 
5.0
19 November 2008
by JeffWasHere, Ohio, USA
 

great staff and guides- ask questions!

this is a fantastic museum. so funny to call it "cluttered" as another reviewer said. he was trying to fit a massive collection of research into a tiny space. and he did some clever things to manage...

this is a fantastic museum. so funny to call it "cluttered" as another reviewer said. he was trying to fit a massive collection of research into a tiny space. and he did some clever things to manage it.

ask about the picture room, they do a demonstration every once in a while.

the best part about the museum are the enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides. ask questions, don't be shy. they have so much information which may not be obvious.

this place is rich with stories for the curious and a peek into a very creative mind.

 
5.0
3 August 2008
by nearly, sligo
 

Something a bit more quaint

It pretty cool place that is not as mainstream as some other sights. Essentially this is a house that has been converted into a pseudo-museum. If you are an architecture buff there is probably a lot...

It pretty cool place that is not as mainstream as some other sights. Essentially this is a house that has been converted into a pseudo-museum. If you are an architecture buff there is probably a lot here that you can relate to, but for the average person a lot of the rooms seem pretty plain. The basement is more interesting as there are all types of small statues everywhere and the main draw: a famous Sarcophagus. It doesn't really fit in the whole feel of the house, but I can see why it would be an important artifact.

In all, this place takes at most 1-2 hours to work through so it might not be a bad idea to drop by if you have already done the major sights. It is located in a residential area, but like almost anywhere else in Central London, there is food and other amenities nearby. I went mid-day and there was no line-up getting in.

 
4.0
24 October 2007
by CalgaryCanuck, Calgary
 

A Hidden Gem to Explore in London

There are many large wonderful museums to visit in London but I found my most memorable visit was to a home near the Holburn tube stop, Sir John Soane's Museum. This gentleman created a living...

There are many large wonderful museums to visit in London but I found my most memorable visit was to a home near the Holburn tube stop, Sir John Soane's Museum. This gentleman created a living museum with a beautiful collection of architectural delights and a wonderful collection of paintings. The Painting Room has some special hidden features that must be admired. The staff was so helpful - one gentleman could have been a character of Dickens' - his love of the collections was so evident. There is also a special display - this time it was the poetry of Sir John Betjeman. I did not know much of this talented man before but I left with a wonderful sense of his love of architecture and community. There was a display of his letters and visual clips of his programs and poetry reading with music.

This place is very special and well worth seeking out when visiting London.

 
5.0
14 November 2006
by ladyapril, Whitehall PA
 

Are you a representative of Sir John Soane's Museum?
Respond to Reviews

Write a Review

Read more reviews on Trip Advisor

About Trip Advisor and Visit London

Please be advised that any comments, opinions and statements submitted herewith are entirely independent and do not represent views held by, or are in any way connected to Visit London.

Events at Sir John Soane's Museum

  • 17th and 18th-Century Sculpture

    Exhibition

    Recurring event

    Important pieces include, terracotta model for James Craggs tomb, Westminster Abbey, Arnold Quellin (1609-88), terracotta statuette of Charles II, model for marble statue on the Royal Exchange, City of London, 1684, and Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770), terracotta figure of Van Dyck & terracotta model for relief of the surrender of Marshall Tallard to the Duke of Marlborough after the Battle of Blenheim in the Chapel at Blenheim Palace.

     

  • Immagini E Memoria

    Exhibition

    19 Jun 2009 to 12 Sep 2009

    The photographs of intrepid English Dominican Father, Peter Paul Mackey, provide a fascinating window on the changing face of Rome at the end of the 19th century. A selection of these beautiful and often haunting views will be exhibited in Britain for the first time at Sir John Soanes Museum in summer 2009.

     

  • Lecture Tour

    Lecture

    Recurring event

    A member of the curatorial staff gives a lecture tour of the Museum.