{England} The Museum of London

100 Museums Challenge: Museum No.78

When I attended the Blogtacular conference in London last weekend, I was ecstatic to discover it was literally right next door to the Museum of London. I was torn between using the conference breaks for networking – the reason I was there – and having a museum I’d not yet visited just within reach. Thankfully, we had a very generous lunch break which allowed for both, so only wild horses would have kept me from popping next door and having a nosey around.

The Museum of London covers the story of London from 450,000 BC to the present day, in nine permanent galleries (London Before London; Roman London; Medieval London; War, Plague & Fire; Expanding City; People’s City gallery; World City; The City Gallery; and The London 2012 Cauldron), so with only half an hour at hand mine was obviously going to be a whistle stop tour. I asked one of the very friendly and helpful gallery attendants which highlights she recommended I go see, and she pointed me in the direction of the magnificent Lord Mayor of London’s State Coach.

I also spent a little bit of time in the early history and Roman galleries, taking in some other highlights including the tombstone to Claudia Martina, AD 150-200, Roman Britain’s youngest recorded wife at age 19; the Bucklersbury Mosaic, AD 250 – presented in a Roman living room setting – and which caused a sensation when it was discovered in 1869; and a model of the Londinium Bridge, the first bridge built by the Romans across the River Themes, where London Bridge now stands.

Before heading back to my conference, I had a little wander around some of the galleries covering more recent times.

I would have loved to spend more time at the Museum of London. It’s a great way to get to know a city better, and it’s full of interesting and fascinating objects and stories. I’d definitely go back here next time I was in London. Though the museum is actually in the process of moving, so by the time I make it to London again, perhaps it will be to see the New Museum of London!