Wallace Collection

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.

The pieces are over the top, but the layout within the home helps you to imagine what life for the privelage might have been like. After you've done all the typical tourist attractions, come to this musuem-its a gem for your London experience. And stay for the cafe! We had tea, but also saw families and business meetings happening in the atrium cafe.