Bank of England Museum

Lonely Planet review

The centrepiece of the museum - which explores the evolution of money and the history of this venerable institution, and which is not nearly as dull as it sounds - is a postwar reconstruction of Soane's original stock office complete with mannequins in period dress behind original mahogany counters. Exhibits range from photographs and coins to a gold bar you can lift up (it's amazingly heavy).

When James II declared war against France in the 17th century, he looked over his shoulder and soon realised he didn't have the funds to finance his armed forces. A Scottish merchant by the name of William Paterson came up with the idea of forming a joint-stock bank that could lend the government money and, in 1694, so began the Bank of England and the notion of national debt. The bank rapidly expanded in size and stature and moved to this site in 1734. The institution is now in charge of maintaining the integrity of the sterling and the British financial system and even sets interest rates since Gordon Brown empowered it to as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1997. The gifted Sir John Soane built the original structure, although the governors saw fit to demolish most of his splendid bank in the early 20th century and replace it with a utilitarian, no-frills model they would soon regret.