London Sights

Sir John Soane’s Museum

#13 of 1425 things to do in London

#126 of 49020 things to do in Europe

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  • Address
    • 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2
  • Transport
    • Holborn
  • Website
  • Phone
    • 7405 2107
  • Price
    • admission free, suggested donation £3
  • Hours
    • 10am-5pm Tue-Sat & 6-9pm 1st Tue of month

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Lonely Planet review for Sir John Soane’s Museum

This little museum is one of the most atmospheric and fascinating sights in London. The building is the beautiful, bewitching home of architect Sir John Soane (1753–1837), which he left brimming with surprising personal effects and curiosities, and the museum represents his exquisite and eccentric taste. Soane was a country bricklayer’s son, most famous for designing the Bank of England. In his work and life, he drew on ideas picked up while on an 18th-century grand tour of Italy. He married a rich woman and used the wealth to build this house and the one next door, which was opened as an exhibition and education space in late 2007. The heritage-listed house is largely as it was when Sir John was carted out in a box, and is itself a main part of the attraction. It has a glass dome that brings light right down to the basement, a lantern room filled with statuary, rooms within rooms, and a picture gallery where paintings are stowed behind each other on folding wooden panes. You can see Soane’s choice paintings, including Canalettos and Turners, drawings by Christopher Wren and Robert Adam, and the original Rake’s Progress, William Hogarth’s set of cartoon caricatures of late-18th-century London lowlife. You’ll have to ask a guard to open the panes so that you can view all the paintings. Among Soane’s more unusual acquisitions are an Egyptian hieroglyphic sarcophagus, an imitation monk’s parlour, and slaves’ chains. Note that groups of seven or more need to book ahead and are not admitted on Saturday, which is by far the museum’s busiest day. Evenings of the first Tuesday of each month are a choice time to visit as the house is lit by candles and the atmosphere is even more magical.

 

Traveller reviews for Sir John Soane’s Museum (2)

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    One of my favorite museums

    julzetraveller recommends this,

    This is definitely one of my favorites. I have been here twice and will gladly go again anytime in London. The maze of connecting rooms, intriguing nooks, thousands of quirky and beautiful and bizarre objects never cease to amaze and fascinate. It's an inspiration. The collection is arranged cleverly but not contrived. There are always things to discover, and there is beauty alongside humor and horror. Over-the-top, but delightfully so.

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    A Quirky London Gem

    docbrown recommends this,

    The Soane Museum is admittedly not for everyone, but if you like architecture and quirky museums, it doesn't get much better than this. John Soane's house is crammed with interesting artifacts and artwork, and every room has been tinkered with by the master architect in most unusual ways: glass domes is small closets, gratings on the floor to allow light to pass to the basement, walls that swing open to reveal more art or the room below, etc.

    Because Soane was so innovative in his use of light and mirrors, the candlelight tour is in some ways less interesting the normal daytime hours. In addition, during the day you can actually read some of the information about each room and see more details about the artifacts, whereas at night it all blends together and some of the impact is lost.

    It is best to go on week days and early in the day to avoid long lines. Unfortunately no photography is allowed inside, so take your time to soak it all in.

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