Sir John Soane's Museum

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!

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.

I didn't know a lot about Sir John Soane or his house/museum - what a surprise!

If you are in to architecture, this is a must. He was really a creative genius. His collection of antiquities is amazing, and the history of his house and the area was fascinating.

If you're tired of numbing, massive museums, spend an hour or two at Soane house - it costs nothing, though you will be inspired to donate, and is compact enough to really soak in in that time.

I'll definitely suggest that friends and relatives visit... really a surprisingly inspiring place.