Deutsch Museums, Galleries and Other Sites
BETHNAL GREEN – Heart of East End + visit the new Young V&A
This is the area – only 3 miles from the City – most associated with the term ‘East End’, typified in the now legendary plucky resistance to the horrors of the Blitz. But there are so many more layers of history to this area. There is still a ‘village green’ and many elegant 18c houses, grand Victorian ‘villas’, and interesting social housing. In the 19c it declined from rural retreat to notorious Victorian slum and is now slowly being ‘gentrified’. Walk ends at the erstwhile Museum of Childhood, after a 3 year redesign reopened in 2023 as the Young V&A. (It is great for adults too and has a nice café!).
FULHAM BISHOP’S PALACE AND WALLED GARDEN – preceded by riverside walk from Hammermith
A 1 hr. riverside walk from Hammersmith to Fulham to the recently restored Fulham Palace, for 1,300 yrs the ‘country’ residence of the Bishops of London. (£2.00 entry charge). The tour of the Palace concentrates on the garden – with many exotic trees and its 3.5 acre walled garden, but also will include a brief look inside. There is a fascinating small museum (explore on your own) and café serving delicious cakes and light lunches. Ends at the Palace (nr. Putney Bridge).
KENSAL GREEN CEMETERY – VICTORIAN WAY OF DEATH
London’s first great necropolis, posher in its time than Highgate. Dramatic mausolea, famous names (Brunel, Thackeray, WH Smith), colourful characters and peaceful setting. Microcosm of an era when everything was possible.
PETRIE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY (Tues-Sat. pm)
One of the greatest collections of Egyptian artefacts in the world. Petrie was interested in the small objects of everyday ancient Egyptian life. Still partly displayed in Edwardian glass cases, it is a treasure-house of eclectic, obscure, fascinating and beautiful objects.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE’S HIDDEN TREASURES (Tues-Sat)
UCL founded in 1826 built fascinating collections as early teaching aids. The Grant Museum of Zoology is one of the oldest natural history collections in the country, some still displayed in their ‘1851 Great Exhibition’ cases. The Petrie Museum of Egyptology, also partly displayed in old-fashioned cases reflects Petrie’s interest in the small objects of everyday life, and is a treasure-house of eclectic objects. En route we will pass (univ. term time only) the Jeremy Benthams’s bizarre ‘auto-icon’.