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Clear intervals Sir John Soane's Museum
Visitor Reviews
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.
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| 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. |
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Lonely Planet review of Sir John Soane's Museum
This little museum is one of the most atmospheric and fascinating sights in London. The building is the beautiful, bewitching home of architect Sir John Soane (1753-1837), which he left brimming with surprising effects and curiosities, and the museum represents his exquisite and eccentric taste. Soane was a country bricklayer's son, most famous for designing the Bank of England. In his work and life, he drew on ideas picked up while on an 18th-century grand tour of Italy. He married a rich woman and used the wealth to build this house and the one next door, which has been bought by the museum and is planned to open as an exhibition and education space in late 2007.The heritage-listed house is largely as it was when Sir John was carted out in a box, and is itself a main part of the attraction. It has a glass dome which brings light right down to the basement, a lantern room filled with statuary, rooms within rooms, and a picture gallery where paintings are stowed behind each other on folding wooden panes. You can see Soane's choice paintings, including Canalettos and Turners, drawings by Christopher Wren and Robert Adam, and the original Rake's Progress, William Hogarth's set of cartoon caricatures of late-18th-century London lowlife. You'll have to ask a guard to open the panes so that you can view all the paintings. Among Soane's more unusual acquisitions are an Egyptian hieroglyphic sarcophagus, an imitation monk's parlour, and slave's chains.Note that groups of seven or more need to book ahead and are not admitted on Saturdays, which is by far the museum's busiest day. Evenings of the first Tuesday of each month are a choice time to visit as the house is lit by candles and the atmosphere is even more magical.
Traveller Rating:
Based on 9 reviews
Latest 5 reviews of Sir John Soane's Museum
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 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.
3 August 2008
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 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.
24 October 2007
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 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.
14 November 2006
Quirky, worth a detour. Not for the claustrophobic!
An absolute delight, if thoroughly confusing!
Each room in this horder's paradise has one or two truly remarkable antiquities or artworks. Several of the rooms have guides who will happily discuss the history and meaning of each of these with you.
A quirky and fascinating attraction - well worth a side detour if you're visiting the area (eg it's just between Holborn Tube & Covent Garden). Incidentally on one of the other sides of the square is the charming architecture of Lincoln's Inn Fields court area.
3 August 2006
Nice museum
I enjoyed the Soames museum. It is an interesting collection and the building itself has some interesting features and design.
The place is a bit cluttered with his collection. Much of the collection may have been lost on me due to my own lack of knowledge about much of the subject matter.
A nice museum off the beaten path that is worth a look.
A nice pub nearby is the Seven Stars on Carey street.
21 January 2006
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Vaulting Ambition Exhibition
Recurring event
Lecture Tour Lecture
Recurring event
A member of the curatorial staff gives a lecture tour of the Museum.Saturday Lecture Tour Special event
Recurring event
A member of the curatorial staff gives a lecture tour of the Museum to members of the public at 11am on Saturday mornings.20 Jun 2008 to 6 Sep 2008
An exhibition of drawings and models from David Chipperfield Architects' Neues Museum project. Berlin's stunning Neues Museum was once home to one of Europe's finest collections of Egyptian antiquities including the famous bust of Nefertiti.
Location Information Sir John Soane's Museum
| Address: | 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields Holborn London WC2A 3BP |
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| Telephone: | +44 (0)20 7405 2107 |
| Fax: | +44 (0)20 7831 3957 |
| By road: | Tube: Holborn |
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