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Sunny intervals Wallace Collection
Visitor Reviews
The Wallace Collection is a national museum, displaying superb works of art in an historic London town house. The collection was acquired principally in the 19thC by the third and fourth Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the illegitimate son of the fourth Marquess. The twenty eight rooms present collections of French 18thC painting, furniture and porcelain together with paintings by Titian, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Gainsborough. Collection of arms and armour, miniatures, French and Italian sculpture.
Some of the rooms have recently been beautifully refurbished and the restaurant is now The Wallace Restaurant, run by Oliver Peyton.
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| Opening times: | Free Admission Open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm |
|---|---|
| Booking and payment details | Free |
Lonely Planet review of Wallace Collection
Arguably London's finest small gallery (relatively unknown even to Londoners), the Wallace Collection is an enthralling glimpse into 18th-century aristocratic life. The sumptuously restored Italianate mansion houses a treasure-trove of 17th- and 18th-century paintings, porcelain, artefacts and furniture bequeathed to the nation by the widow of Sir Richard Wallace (1818-90) on condition it should always be on display in the centre of London. Among the many highlights here - besides the warm and friendly staff - are paintings by the likes of Rembrandt, Hals, Delacroix, Titian, Rubens, Poussin, Van Dyck, Velàzquez, Reynolds and Gainsborough in the stunning Great Gallery. There's a spectacular array of medieval and Renaissance armour (including some to try on), a Minton-tiled smoking room, stunning chandeliers and a sweeping staircase that is reckoned to be one of the best examples of French interior architecture in existence. There are also temporary exhibitions (admission payable) and very popular themed events involving Marie Antoinette and other French aristocrats, costumes and ballroom dancing (check the website for what's on when you're here).Have lunch at the excellent glass-roofed restaurant, Café Bagatelle - which occupies the central courtyard and feels like something in southern Spain - and you'll have spent one of the most outstanding days in London.
Visit London review of Wallace Collection
It's not only the magnificent works by Titian, Rembrandt, Hals and Velàquez that make the national museum, the Wallace Collection such a veritable gem. It's also the way these works are displayed: in the sumptuous domestic setting of the former owners, Sir Richard and Lady Wallace's grand townhouse.
Traveller Rating:
Based on 6 reviews
Latest 5 reviews of Wallace Collection
Amazing!
I was blown away by the Wallace Colletion. I'm not educated in art history but the art work here is amazing. Beautiful rococo work. It helped that I was with people who knew a lot about the collection but well worth the visit even if you dont know everything about what is in there. Lots of boulle furniture, armor, sevre and paintings including the Swing. Must see!
11 June 2008
A lovely surprise in London
I had heard of the Wallace Collection many times, but had never visited it in my many visits to London. Only now do I realize how much of an omission it was.
The Collection is located in Hertoford House, a beautiful mansion in Manchester Square, in the heart of London. It contains mostly French XVII and XVIII century objets d'art, such as vases of Sevres porcelain, Titian portraits, seventeenth century bronze statuettes, XVIII and XIX century miniatures, just to mention a few examples. It is a paradise for anyone who appreciates the decorative arts. It is definitely a must see.
In addition, there is a new restaurant on the premises, fashioned after a typical French brasserie. It offers main dishes, like seabass, steak tartar, etc. It also has an array of terrines, cheeses, platters of oyster, clams, and prawns.
On the way out make sure you survey the scene around Manchester Square. The park is lush green even in late winter, and surrounded by XIX century mansions (although none as large as the one where the collection is housed).
In short, the Wallace Collection is a gem. I can't wait to get back. Anna L. Josephs
28 March 2008
Never boring - always something to find
I love this museum: the basis of the collection seems to have been 'is it for sale and do I have my wallet with me', but this means that it is full of suprises and after several visits I am still finding new treasures. It is pretty crammed, but the relatively small size of the house means that you can whisk around quite quickly, or just speed along to your favourite area before gallery fatigue sets in (anyone trying to do the National gallery in a short visit will know what I mean). The acid test: I took daughters 12 and 14 along, in the middle of a shoping trip, last week - despite initial 'we'll endure it for the sake of her credit card' looks, they really enjoyed it (and it is not too far from the coffee shops of Marylebone High Street. for a recovery break) The youngest has now developed a facination with minatures (of which there is a very good selection) I've been trying to persuade my husband to pop along in his lunch hour to see the armoury - not my area of interest but a good example of the amazing range of subjects on view. A friend and I spent a quick post lunch visit playing 'spot the painting that you recognise as a book cover illustration'. The restaurant is lovely - surely one of the best settings in London, but was closed when we visited on 1st September, being apparently refitted. Hope the food remains as good as I have expereinced - memorable risotto. My 2nd favourite gallery after the Courtauld in Somerset House. And it's free.
3 September 2006
a little too much for me
This gallery has very ornate furniture and many, many paintings set fairly closely together. I found it a little overwhelming -- beautiful but not restful. If you like ornate art, though, you might love this. And there is an elegant dining area with great teas, cream and otherwise.
10 April 2005
what a treat
Visited the Wallace Collection for the first time this weekend, despite living locally for many years.
Hertford House is a beautiful 18th Century building, and there are lots of stunning objets d'art. The highlights for me were the Laughing Cavalier and the overly ornate French furniture.
Given that there's free admission, you really have no excuse not to while away an hour or two at the Collection.
21 September 2004
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The Little Draw Workshop
Recurring event
A drop-in art workshop held in the galleries.Boucher and Chardin Exhibition
12 Jun 2008 to 7 Sep 2008
Boucher & Chardin celebrates two of the greatest French painters and their artistic response to the taste for tea drinking and chinoiserie which became fashionable in 18th-century France and Britain. Two masterpieces take centre stage: Boucher's A Lady on Her Day Bed, 1743, on show in Britain for the first time in seventy years from the renowned Frick Collection in New York, and Chardin's near contemporary Lady Taking Tea, 1735, from the Hunterian in Scotland.Compton Verney Comes to London Exhibition
19 Jun 2008 to 30 Aug 2008
Founded by Sir Peter Moores, Compton Verney in Warwickshire is one of the Wallace Collection's partners in the Museum Network. Two loans to the Wallace Collection allow audiences to appreciate treasures held at one of the UK's most interesting newer public collections.16 Aug 2008 to 23 Aug 2008
Lecturer: Alex Hirtzel. A unique workshop to create a ceramic object inspired by the Sevres and Maiolica Collections. Spend two days sculpting, carving and glazing the work, which will then be fired and returned for a half-day critique with artist Alex Hirtzel.
Location Information Wallace Collection
| Address: | Hertford House, Manchester Square, London London W1U 3BN |
|---|---|
| Telephone: | +44 (0)20 7563 9516 |
| Fax: | +44 (0)20 7224 2155 |
| Email: | enquiries@wallacecollection.org |
| Website: | www.wallacecollection.org |
| By road: | Turn left down Oxford St, cross over to the right hand side of the road, turn right up Duke St and cross over into Wigmore St. In Manchester Sq the Wallace Collection is |
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