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 Situated
above street level on the edge of the Barbican, where Aldersgate
meets London Wall, the Museum of London has a walkway across
the traffic. The purpose-built museum opened in 1976
on the site of a Roman fort, at the centre of a busy roundabout.
Inside, the museum traces the
growth of London through from the first hunter-gatherers of
400,000 years ago, Roman settlement in 50 AD, to the city
of the present day.
Reconstructed street scenes and
interiors are mixed with displays of original domestic items
and items found in the museum's archaeological excavations.
Highlights include a Roman interior,
with its original mosaic pavement, the Cheapside hoard, fine
jewels dating from 1560 discovered in a box beneath a shop,
and the 'Great Fire Experience', an illuminated model showing
the fire which destroyed 80% of London in 1666.
There is also a late Stuart
interior with features from several great houses of the late-17th
century and reconstructions of Newgate prison cells.
The original restaurant and shop
interiors from Victorian and Edwardian London include a Art
Deco elevator from Selfridges.
The Lord Mayor's ceremonial state
coach is another exhibit.
Major historical events of the
20th century are represented in such displays as votes for
women, World War II, the rise of cinema and 'Swinging London'.
Recent redevelopment at the
museum has allowed more room for post-1945 history.
New in
the museum is "London before London", a look at
the area before London existed, and "World City 1789-1914",
showing London's growth from the French Revolution to the
opening shots of the First World War. This has displays, oral
history, hands on activities and the Victorian Walk of original
shop fronts and interiors, as well as featuring the lives
of important people such as Lord Shaftesbury, Elizabeth Fry,
Queen Victoria, and Wellington.
Temporary exhibitions are also
held.
Shop & cafe.
Admission Free
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London
Barbican