The British Museum

I almost can't quite believe that I've lived in London for well over 10 years now and had never stepped foot inside the British Museum until last week.  I suppose it's a case of 'it'll-always-be-there-itis'.

So, to rectify this, I popped along to see what I could see.  The Museum is located close to both Tottenham Court Road and Holborn stations.  The first thing you notice is the sheer size of the place.  Massive.  And a bit overwhelming.  We weren't particularly time-limited, but you know how it can be as you shuffle along in museums with hoards of other people... it's tiring.  So the first thing we did was to pick up a map from the stunning main room - the Great Court.

Thankfully, I had taken with me someone who was competent to read the map.  We decided that since we weren't sure how long we would last, we would follow the suggested 1 hour route with items A-K marked on the map, to see the main pieces that were suggested by the museum and this takes you through a large number of the rooms.  Along with being distracted by other things in there, I think we probably spent around 2 and a half hours comfortably pottering around, but I would recommend it as a good route to follow if you've never visited before.  It was busy, but never felt claustrophobic.

Overall, it was definitely worth the visit, some very interesting pieces, and I discovered a particular fondness for Shields, Mosaics and also the Japanese rooms (rooms 92-94, don't miss them, they are all the way up at the top!), but there really is something to interest everyone.

If you can't get to London to visit the museum in person, do take a look around their website, where a large number of the main objects are photographed and catalogued.

A selection of my favourite pieces from the museum, the ones that stood out to me:

1. Bronze Mirror: Perseus observing the severed head of Medusa while Hermes and Athena look on:

 2. Panels from the Royal Lion Hunt showing the sporting exploits of the last Assyrian King, Ashurbanipal.  These were huge carvings filling massive rooms... very impressive!

 3. A reconstruction of the Nereid Monument

 4. Enormous Mosaic of Oceanus

5. The Portland Vase, made of Cameo glass.  Said to be the Roman inspiration for Wedgwood, and although it looks black, the glass is actually dark blue.

6. Royal Game of Ur.  Even with the instructions written there next to it, just too hard to figure out! Bonus points for my favourite name of an object in the museum.

7. Samurai items in a large case.

8. A beautiful shield

 9. Iron age shield, again, really beautiful craftsmanship.

10.  Bronze Shield

Old Operating Theatre Museum

As far as creepy and strange things go, I usually try to stay far away from them.

But for some reason, once I found the website for the Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, I wanted to visit.

As with the Museum of Brands, my National Trust Card also allowed me half price entry here.  Be warned, entry to this museum is up a steep and narrow spiral staircase, so not suitable if you can't manage this.

At the top of the stairs is a small shop, packed with general kids toys and also books etc for adults relating to the theme of the museum.  Up to the next floor and you come to the herb garret, which is packed full of herbs, and jars of body parts, along with explanations of how the herbs might have been used to cure ailments.  This also contains some devices which I can only say look like instruments of torture.  If you follow this trail around, you see some of the surgical equipment that used to be used (truly horrendous looking, some of it) and books and explanatory pamphlets about how certain procedures would be carried out.  Yes, it was pretty gruesome.

Finally you reach the Old Operating Theatre itself.  A photo probably best shows what this is like.

I stood there and imagined how horrible it must have been to lie on a tiny wooden operating table without today's modern anaesthetic, surrounded by students watching what was happening.  I'm sure you can picture the scene also.  It would be quite interesting for school trips also and they do run educational sessions if you wanted to get even more of a feel for things.

Overall, something a bit different, but very definitely wanted a drink afterwards.  The place is not that big though, so don't expect to spend more than about 45 mins to 1 hour there unless you are attending one of the organised sessions or talks.

Globe Theatre Exhibition and Tour

There are a couple of different ways to visit the Globe Theatre, located in this round, rustic looking building on the south bank.  If you want to know about the history behind Shakespeare's Globe and the theatre itself, the best way is to visit the Exhibition and Tour.  The other way is to really experience it for yourself, by booking to see a show.

Shakespeare's Globe and Exhibition

The exhibition is a self guided walk around part of the building attached to the Globe.  It contains much reading material and information about the historic past of the theatre.  It also contains some of the costumes, and you are able to take your time looking at your own pace.  Subject to there being no performance on, you can also take a guided tour around the theatre itself, and I would highly recommend doing this.  (Best to check whether the tours are running by checking first).  

This is a timed ticket, so you'll book and join a particular tour and then can look round the exhibition before or after.  The guide stops at various points inside the theatre so you can get a feel for how it would have been to be able to sit in the nicer seats or to be standing in front of the stage where the cheap tickets are.

View of the stage from one of the best seats

Since the Globe is an open air theatre, be prepared to get wet if the weather is bad :)

Ceiling in the theatre

Alternatively, when the season is running (check the website for details, the season runs from spring to autumn), it is possible to book tickets to go and see a show.  Watch out also for special deals, there have occasionally been tickets available for as little as £5 in the standing area, and there are a range of productions, from the expected Shakespeare plays to a few selected more modern ones.

View of the theatre from the inside

You'll also find there is a shop and a restaurant attached to the Globe theatre (but plenty of places to eat closeby as well).

Find out more about visiting by going to the official website.