Other London Exploits

So, I mentioned that I had been to the Wallace Collection, the Museum of Childhood and Regent's Park in an earlier post. I won't bore you with too many details but I thought I'd share some of my finds.

The Wallace Collection is a really good place to go if you want to see some fantastic 15th to 19th Century examples of artwork, furniture, porcelain, etc. It is best known for the collection of 18th Century French works. Their armoury is pretty darn cool too, just so you know. I'd highly recommend a visit, and it's free so why wouldn't you? The collection was built up by the four Marquesses of Hertford, most of it gathered by the 4th Marquess Richard Seymour-Conway, who then left the collection to his son, Sir Richard Wallace. Sir Richard's widow, Lady Wallace, is responsible for establishing the museum, since she left the whole darn lot to the nation on condition that no item ever leave the collection. Quite nice of her I would say, and a fair deal for the nation.

I headed from the Wallace Collection over to the Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green. Now this place also houses a few treasures, mostly sentimental value, since I recognised some stuff from when I was a kid. And I'm fairly certain my parents recognised objects that they'd had as kids as well when I showed them the photos. You have to deal with lots of children (it is a Museum of Childhood afterall) but if you can cope with that then I would go here too, it's kind of fun to regress for a little while and reminisce about toys and stuff. Also, there are some incredible examples of clothes and childhood items from other eras too, not just toys.

Regent's Park was my last afternoon in London before I started a tour round Europe. I'd been told that it was a nice place for a wander so I headed there after I got bored with the Camden Markets. It's a beautiful garden, lots of lovely roses. I think I was probably there for about two hours, not quite sure.

The weather was gorgeous, so sunny that I ended up taking my cardigan off, and just enough of a breeze that I didn't feel like I was burning in the sun. Took a few photos of the roses since there were so many, and wandered through most of the park. Turns out there was also a concert at the open air stage, which, although I didn't go to the concert I could hear the music of from quite a distance. Made a lovely accompaniment to my stroll in the park.

Disclaimer: All photos taken by me.