Bank of England Museum
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About Bank of England Museum

Museum housed within the Bank of England which traces the history of the Bank from its foundation by Royal Charter in 1694 to its role today as the nation's central bank. There are gold bars dating from ancient times to the modern market bar, coins and a unique collection of banknotes, as well as many items you might not expect to find - such as the pikes and muskets used to defend the Bank; the Roman pottery and mosaics uncovered when it was rebuilt in 1930 and documents relating to famous customers such as Horatio Nelson, George Washington and the Duchess of Marlborough.

Facilities

Opening Times Mon-Fri:10.00-17.00. Closed: weekends and Bank hols.
Booking and payment details Free

Bank of England Museum Address

Address:
Threadneedle Street, London
London
EC2R 8AH
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7601 5491
Fax: +44 (0)20 7601 5808
Email:
Website: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

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Prices for Bank of England Museum

Adult: Free (USD0.00)
Child: Free (USD0.00)
Family: Free (USD0.00)
Concession: Free (USD0.00)
 

Location Information for Bank of England Museum

Address:
Threadneedle Street, London
London
EC2R 8AH
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7601 5491
Fax: +44 (0)20 7601 5808
Email:
Website: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum
Public transport: Bank, London Underground
By Road: Tube/DLR: Bank. Tube/Rail: Liverpool Street Rail: Fenchurch Street or Cannon Street (weekdays only)

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Trip Advisor ®

Traveller Rating:

4.0
Based on 3 reviews
Ranked #59

  Latest 2 reviews of Bank of England Museum

Interesting museum

An interesting museum with something for just about everyone including an opportunity to try to lift a solid gold bar (it's really, really heavy!) The information on inflation was detailed enough to...

An interesting museum with something for just about everyone including an opportunity to try to lift a solid gold bar (it's really, really heavy!) The information on inflation was detailed enough to be instructive without being too academic and the interactive station comparing changing interest rates to control inflation to letting air in and out of a hot air balloon was fun. The small shop offers some attractive souvenirs.

 
4.0
5 February 2009
by phebert, Huntersville, North Carolina
 

A Golden Opportunity

Amidst the gloom of recession, tumbling share prices and major banks making headlines for all the wrong reasons, where better to go than the Bank of England Museum, I thought. This museum traces...

Amidst the gloom of recession, tumbling share prices and major banks making headlines for all the wrong reasons, where better to go than the Bank of England Museum, I thought.

This museum traces the history of the Bank from its foundation in 1694 and I was surprised to discover that there were still several branches operating within the UK until as recently as 1997. The first room you enter is the Bank Stock Office by Sir John Soane, a reconstruction of a late 18th century banking hall. Here there was a special exhibition on inflation entitled "The Pound in your Pocket". You can have great fun with various gizmos ( including a hot-air balloon simulator!) to find out just how much the cost of your pint or football ticket has risen over the last 50 years or so.

Moving on to the Rotunda, here there are various showcases including some of the Bank's extensive collection of silver. Learn about the "gold standard", how to detect forged banknotes and discover the connection between the author of "The Wind In The Willows", Kenneth Grahame, and the Bank of England.

For most visitors the highlight of the trip will be the opportunity to handle a genuine 13 kilogram gold bar inside a heavily-protected case. Lifting this bar with one hand took all my strength but was well worth the effort. Incidentally, the gold bar is currently valued at L249,000.

The Museum is lively, fun, educational, and the staff friendly and helpful. Nor will it cost you a single ounce of gold to enter since admission is free to all.

 
5.0
27 January 2009
by Harrovian, England
 

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Events at Bank of England Museum

  • Banknotes & Coins

    Exhibition

    Recurring event

    The Bank's collection of notes is unique. It mainly consists of issued Bank of England notes dating from the late 17th century, original artwork by note designers, and an unrivalled collection of forgeries. It is the largest collection of Bank of England notes and associated material in the world. As to coin, the collection includes a representative selection of the regal coinage issued by the Royal Mint from 1694, the year of the Bank's foundation, and comprehensively covers the Bank's late 18th and early 19th century issues of Bank of England dollars and tokens.

     

  • Books & Documents

    Exhibition

    Recurring event

    A wide-ranging collection of books and documents, both handwritten and printed, dating from the inception of the Bank in 1694 to the present. Subjects are many and varied and include personalities, premises and suggestions to make banknotes "inimitable".

     

  • Film Q & A Presentation

    Film

    Recurring event

    A presentation on the role and functions of the Bank of England. The presentation consists of a fifteen-minute film followed by a question and answer session in which the topics covered in the film can be explored in detail. Groups must have a minimum of 15 people and a maximum of 45. A hearing loop is available.

     

  • Furniture

    Exhibition

    Recurring event

    A small but rich collection of pieces of furniture, including clocks. These were used for practical and decorative purposes mainly in the Bank's Parlours - the area in which the Bank's senior officials have their offices and in which policy is decided. The earliest piece of furniture known to have been in use in the Bank is the Great Iron Chest, which is displayed in the museum. The architect, Sir John Soane (1753-1837) designed furniture for the Bank including a set of chairs for the Governor's room.

     
All 12 events at this venue