Things to do in Greater London, England: The Best History Museums

July 8, 2021 Darwin Bolte

Discover the best top things to do in Greater London, United Kingdom including Croydon Airport Visitor Centre, Turner's House, Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum, Hall Place and Gardens, Strawberry Hill House & Garden, Whitehall, Bentley Priory Museum, The Twickenham Museum, Bethlem Museum of the Mind, Museum of Richmond.
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1. Croydon Airport Visitor Centre

Purley Way Airport House, Croydon CR0 0XZ England +44 20 8680 5878 [email protected] http://www.historiccroydonairport.org.uk/
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 276 reviews

Croydon Airport Visitor Centre

Croydon Airport Visitor Centre micro-museum- located in Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon CR0 0XZ. Open on the 1st Sunday of the month throughout the year. Special Open Days at other times- see website for details. Haley Sharpe designed and winner of a British Tourism Award, featuring interactive displays and storyboards. It tells the story of Britain's first major international airport through World War I, Imperial Airways and BOAC, record-breaking flights by the likes of Amy Johnson and other, the Battle of Britain and much, much more.

Reviewed By Pent68

We were in Croydon for the weekend to attend a family funeral and stayed in a hotel opposite here. On Sunday our last day we were advised there was an open day at this museum and it's a very interesting place to visit, it most certainly was, we had an excellent guided tour with Graeme and all very interesting especially hearing about the first long distance flights.This place is great for learning about aviation and early air travel.Highly recommended.

2. Turner's House

40 Sandycoombe Road Sandycombe Lodge, Twickenham TW1 2LR England +44 20 8892 5485 [email protected] http://www.turnershouse.org
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 45 reviews

Turner's House

In 1813 England's great landscape painter J.M.W Turner built a small villa, Sandycombe Lodge, on a large plot near the Thames at Twickenham. Here, the painter became an architect. Sandycombe Lodge has been carefully restored to allow visitors to experience Turner's House as he lived in it, and to reflect on his relationship with the beautiful local landscape.

Reviewed By christinee862

Having seen some of Turner's paintings at Petworth House, last year, we decided to book a visit to Sandycombe Lodge. Delayed by the virus, we were not disappointed by our visit last Friday. We were warmly greeted in the garden and given an introductory talk on Turner and the house. There were only eight in the group, which gave the impression of a personal visit and a great feeling of safety, in these social distancing times. The house was definitely a home, very interesting to visit and the bonus of the extended exhibition of Turner paintings, on loan. All staff were very knowledgable. Afterwards, we wandered down to the Thames, walked in Marble Hill park ( where we easily parked the car) and had a delicious lunch in The Crown ( using your voucher) Altogether, a great day out.

3. Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum

10 South Access Road, Walthamstow, Waltham Forest E17 8AX England +44 20 8521 1766 [email protected] http://e17pumphouse.org.uk/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum

We are a small volunteer-run museum, housed in a Victorian sewage-pumping station. Displays relate to the history of transport and industry in Walthamstow and the surrounding area, and to the history of the Pumphouse site. We have two Marshall & Co horizontal steam engines dating from 1896 which are thought to be the only remaining mirrored pair in existence. They are run on compressed air on the last Sunday of the month. We are open on Sundays, 11am-4pm in summer and 11am-3pm in winter, and entry is FREE.

4. Hall Place and Gardens

Hall Place Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ England +44 1322 526574 [email protected] http://www.hallplace.org.uk
Excellent
51%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 412 reviews

Hall Place and Gardens

Always special, always different. Located on the banks of the River Cray, Hall Place was once the country residence of Sir John Champneys a wealthy Tudor Merchant. Today you can explore the 500 -year-old house and it's award winning gardens, bring a picnic or relax at the Riverside Cafe. Exciting exhibitions and events make us the perfect destination for all the family. With extra attractions from our onsite partners All About Owls - Jambs Owls, or Bexley Butterfly House & Plant Centre you will be spoilt for choice. We can also cater for Weddings, conferences and unique events.

Reviewed By steedr2018

The gardens and house are very and refreshing to walk around in the summer months. The hot house was nice with turtles in the pool and gardens very well kept.

5. Strawberry Hill House & Garden

268 Waldegrave Road, Twickenham TW1 4ST England +44 20 8744 1241 [email protected] http://www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk/
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 450 reviews

Strawberry Hill House & Garden

Discover Strawberry Hill House, Horace Walpole’s magnificent 18th century ’little gothic castle’. Set back from the River Thames in Twickenham, it has captivated visitors for over 250 years. This enchanting House & Garden inspired Walpole to write the first ever gothic novel, ‘The Castle of Otranto’ and today, is internationally famous as Britain’s finest example of domestic Georgian Gothic revival architecture.

Reviewed By DGarethOwen - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This is a fascinating house to visit with its unusual neo-gothic features which must be some of the earliest u its kindi in England (it prefigured the 19th century gothic revival). Unfortunately many of the original artworks were sold off in 1984. However about 150 items were returned for display in their original positions in the house for an exhibition between Oct 18 to feb 19. There is an excellent free app giving a virtual tour of this exhibition (lost treasures of strawberry hill house). There were volunteers in each room which gave excellent explanations of the major features of interest. Note that there is a 50% entrance fee reduction for National Trust members and other similar organisations. I particularly enjoyed the magnificent gallery (see photo).

6. Whitehall

1 Malden Road Cheam, Sutton SM3 8QD England +44 20 8770 5670 http://www.friendsofwhitehallcheam.co.uk/
Excellent
51%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 53 reviews

Whitehall

Whitehall is closed to the public from 10 April 2016 until the summer of 2017 to allow for a major refurbishment, which includes vital conservation and restoration works to the building and internal adaptations, along with a small extension for a lift to make the house more accessible. While Whitehall is closed its team will have an active presence at fetes and fairs and will visit local groups and societies. The Friends of Whitehall will also continue to run activities and events in Cheam, particularly at the Parochial Rooms and Cheam Library while Whitehall is closed. An accredited museum, Whitehall was built around 1500, though the house has undergone significant changes and alterations during its life. Remarkably, between 1741 and 1963 Whitehall was the home of one family, the Killicks and the house has held 18th and 19th-century displays reflecting different periods of its history. As well as having a Tudor hall, parlour and a Victorian kitchen, Whitehall also houses a model of Nonsuch Palace, which once stood nearby but was demolished in the 1680s. It has a designated exhibition space which will host a new programme of activities on reopening in 2017, as well as a tea room which has been voted one of the best in Surrey.

Reviewed By D4203YUgemmas

We visited during December and there were wonderful craft activities for children and a snowball hunt. The people that run the events are so welcoming. Furthermore all the activities were free! There is a nice cafe there too, although more kid friendly items on the menu would be good.

7. Bentley Priory Museum

Mus9eum Bentley Priory Mansion House Drive, Stanmore HA7 3FB England +44 20 8950 5526 [email protected] http://www.bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 184 reviews

Bentley Priory Museum

Bentley Priory Museum, previously RAF Headquarters Fighter Command, is a site of national historical importance and from where the Battle of Britain was won. We are a small private charitable trust ensuring that the legacy of 'The One, The Few and The Many' is not lost; but appreciated, celebrated and commemorated for many years to come. Throughout the year we welcome individuals, groups, schools and corporate organisations to come and explore the splendour of this amazing Sir John Soane extended property, which has hints of Italian grandeur and where many Second World War and Cold War secrets were hidden within.

Reviewed By Jeanette247

Bentley Prior ticks so many boxes....mansion house, royal residence, WW2 Battle of Britain, activities for the children, beautiful garden and lovely cafe. The artifacts are interesting and not too much information to absorb. Museums can be tiring, not this one.

8. The Twickenham Museum

25 Embankment, Twickenham TW1 3DU England +44 20 8408 0070 http://www.twickenham-museum.org.uk/
Excellent
52%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
24%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

The Twickenham Museum

Reviewed By richardbP7822SC - London, United Kingdom

Lovingly curated history and artifacts of Twickenham's past including information about Eel Pie and its famous musical history. Full of unexpected surprises about the town's history through the decades.

9. Bethlem Museum of the Mind

Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham BR3 3BX England +44 20 3228 4227 http://museumofthemind.org.uk
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 59 reviews

Bethlem Museum of the Mind

Reviewed By 426ClareM

Very interesting displays which were very thought provoking. Very helpful staff. Gorgeous building. Thank goodness times have changed for women.

10. Museum of Richmond

Whittaker Avenue Old Town Hall, Richmond-upon-Thames TW9 1TP England +44 20 8332 1141 [email protected] http://www.museumofrichmond.com/
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

Museum of Richmond

The Museum of Richmond tells the story of Richmond from prehistory, through its rise in prominence as a royal residence in the medieval period to its modern status as a centre of the arts and fashion. Caring for and giving access to the rich history of Richmond. through our permanent displays, temporary exhibitions, learning and events programme. There is always something new to see and do. Check the website for what's on!

Reviewed By Trail63775957842

Lots to look at and study in the display cabinets particularly the model of old Richmond Palace. A good outline of the history of Richmond.Also excellent videos of the buildings for anyone interested in architecture. Good , to then try spotting the different buildings and their style of construction while exploring the town and its surroundings. All the displays are well presented and objects chosen with care. A number of the local characters who lived through either of the two World Wars are also made vivid by the recollections of those who knew them. Staff helpful and keen.

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