Study Abroad with Us! Imperial War Museum Very interesting museum, even for those who are not war-buffs. The displays include a blitz simulation where guests get to feel what it is like to be in a bomb shelter during an attack and then explore the streets of a devastated London. Another fascinating attraction is the trench exhibit, a walk through this area allows guests to experience what it was like to live and work in the terrible conditions of the trenches during WWI. Admission: Free Tube: Lambeth North, Elephant and Castle, Waterloo Website: http://www.iwm.org.U.K. Museum of London Want to know what London used to look like before it became this metropolitan hotspot? The Museum of London is committed to recording and explaining change in every part of London life, to tell its past, present and future stories. The Museum of London is one of the world’s largest urban history museums and cares for over two million objects in its collection. The museum is currently under construction to detail more of historic London. The museum is broken up in two sections: Prehistoric to 1700 London and 1700 London to today. There is also a special exhibit on the Great Fire of 1666. This is a museum not to be missed. Admission: Free Tube: Barbican, St. Paul’s, or Moorgate Website: http://www.museumoflondon.org.U.K./English/ National Gallery The National Gallery houses the national collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. This is a great opportunity to take a stroll through some of the most influential artwork that have been created. This museum always features special exhibits, so make sure to check the website for new works of art. Admission: Free Tube: Charing Cross or Leicester Square Website: http://www.nationalgallery.org.U.K./ Sherlock Holmes Museum The most visited address in the entire world, 221b Baker Street, was the home of English sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes, a product of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, lived in this residence from 1881-1904. Step back in time and experience the home of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Admission: Adult £6 Tube: Baker Street Website: http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.U.K./ Victoria and Albert Museum Founded as the National Museum of Art and Design, the V&A is the greatest museum of art and design, a world treasure house with collections of fabulous scope and diversity. The Museum holds over 3,000 years worth of artifacts from many of the world’s richest cultures. There are a number of unique exhibitions like the dress collection, jewelry, iron work, Asian art, photography, silver, glass, porcelain, cartoons, and much more! One of Europe’s most London Student Guide 2011-2012
extensive museums, it requires more than one visit to see all that the museum has to offer. Tube: South Kensington Admission is Free except certain exhibits Website: http://www.vam.ac.U.K./ Science Museum This museum combines history and science to create a hands-on adventure that is more than purely educational. Different exhibits include food, gas, computers, time, chemical industry, marine engineering, photography, health, geophysics, and oceanography. If all of this still doesn’t sound like your thing, there is also an Imax cinema with a screen the size of 5 double decker buses. Admission: Free Tube: South Kensington Website: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.U.K. Natural History Museum This museum as all about the Earth. Exhibits range from dinosaurs and whales to butterflies and flowers. There is even a section dedicated to space exploration, and Earth’s place in our solar system. The best times to visit this popular and often crowded museum are in the early mornings or just before closing in the late afternoons; also try to avoid school holidays. Admission: Free Tube: South Kensington Website: http://www.nhm.ac.U.K. Sir John Soane’s Museum Located only a 15 minute walk away from the study centre, this little museum is one of the city’s hidden gems. Sir John Soane was a famous (and eclectic) art collector, when he died in 1837 he left his house and all of its contents to the nation. His last request was that it be opened as a museum and that it remain unaltered. As a result the museum remains unchanged since his death. Besides being open most weekdays, the museum is open the 1st Tuesday of every month from 6-9pm with many of the rooms lit by candlelight. Admission: Free Tube: Holborn Website: http://www.soane.org Tate Modern Walk along the banks of the Thames and chances are that you will immediately spot an enormous building resembling some sort of industrial-age factory. This building is actually the former Bankside Power Station, which now houses an enormous modern art collection, known as the Tate Modern museum. The collection includes international modern and contemporary works of art dating from 1900 onwards. In addition to the permanent collection that is on display, there are always new exhibits rotating out, so make sure you visit the Tate’s website to see what unique works might be on display during your visit. Admission: Free Tube: Southwark, Mansion House, St. Pauls Website: http://www.tate.org.U.K./modern/ Florida State University
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