London: Museums in Private Homes
I don’t know about you, but I can get pretty darn overwhelmed in large museums. I mean, when I visited The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, I almost had a panic attack!
Instead, I prefer much smaller venues, especially museums that are in someone’s home. I love seeing how people lived in the past and having a sort of voyeuristic look into their lives.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Case in point is Sir John Soane’s Museum, who was one of the greatest architects in England. His home is basically the exact same as the day he died in 1837. I booked a guided tour, which includes a maximum of eight people and took about an hour and a half. Unlike traditional museums, where everything is labeled, this home invites you to interpret his massive collection of art and artifacts in your own way.
John Soane had an incredible talent for his use of light, so it’s best to visit on a bright day, when you can appreciate the stained glass, the domes, and the skylights.
Though I consider myself a collector, I had to re-think that when viewing the thousands of paintings and artifacts in his home. He even owned an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus!! I’m clearly an amateur.
I highly recommend the highlights tour, as you really gain a perspective into his life, his work, and his family. You also get to see the private upstairs quarters, which are not open to the public. The tour greatly enhanced my experience of the house.
Though I consider myself a collector, I had to re-think that when viewing the thousands of paintings and artifacts in his home. He even owned an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus!! I’m clearly an amateur.
Leighton House
I must admit that one of the main reasons I wanted to see Leighton House was for the Arab room, a large addition this famous painter added to his house from 1877-1881, which was inspired by his trip to Damascus. I was NOT disappointed in the least to see the incredible architecture and tile work, not to mention the large taxidermy peacock greeting you at the entrance.
Frederic Leighton was a prolific artist who lived from 1830-1896. He never married, and I kept imagining this confirmed bachelor living in such a grand home. Throughout the home you can view his paintings, including many from his favorite locale, the island of Capri in Italy. Even Queen Victoria was a customer of his!!
I must admit that one of the main reasons I wanted to see this house was for the Arab room, a large addition this famous painter added to his house from 1877-1881, which was inspired by his trip to Damascus.
When I booked the ticket to Leighton House, it popped up that you could easily visit both houses, as they are only about a 10-minute walk apart. Not one to miss an opportunity, I booked this one as well.
The home of illustrator Linley Sambourne was not much to write home about, to be honest. It was good to see what a Victorian townhouse looked like back in the day. It was very well preserved, but it didn’t get my creative and art-loving heart going. I’m sure he was quite well off for the time, but I was looking for more opulence, as seen in the other two homes.
So, there you have it. What’s your opinion? Would you rather visit the British Museum, or smaller venues? I’d love to know.
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