Museum of London

The history of London - from the pre-history of 'before London was London' to right now. And they serve all that history up with a lot of detail and examples. Where one or two bronze-age spear heads would maybe have sufficed, there are twenty, or fifty. It makes for a huge collection, too much to fully take in in one go; but it also reinforced the sheer scale of London - it's big, and almost always has been.

One word of caution - I was in the museum at 3.30pm on a Saturday, and it was busy. Seriously, rammed with people. Which is a great thing if you're the museum, it literally validates your existence, and sells all those cakes and coffees. It's less of a good thing if you're a tired and irascible man trying to visit every museum in London, and take some pictures without a hoard of people getting in the way. I was constantly bumping into people, and having to doge around careening children. And talking of children, there were a lot of them, plenty of babies too. At times - not all the time, mind you, but more than once or twice -  the area I was in smelt distinctly, umm, nappy-ish. Even farty.

Hardly the end of the world, and in no way the Museum's fault, they're a victim of their own success. And actually, most people probably tolerate crowds a bit better than I do. And even I didn't really have a problem. Although I did strongly empathise with the exhibit in the plague gallery, which described strong smells people used to try and keep the plague at bay (lavender, cloves and something delightful called Pomme d'ambre, made from flowers, animal scents and whale vomit.) I could have used some of the first two, but I think I have to draw the line at Pomme d'ambre - although it did bequeath is the word pomander, although it's not a word I have much need of in day to day life.

I won't write much more - all you need to know is:

• This is the definitive history of London, it's all here, in abundant detail
• From pre-history, through Roman, medieval to reformation, the birth of modern society, Victorian and through the 20th century. With special exhibits on a great many detailed subjects, most notably the Great Fire.

Brass etching of ancient map of London

 I think that's Faringdon running up the middle.

Church Doorway

Near this door was a great small display on moral outrage in the 1400s, following that bout with the Black Death. It was felt people were newly degenerate and without morals, and talked disgustedly of the 'young people wearing tight trousers and elaborate shoes.' Nothing changes.

Souvenir guide and mugs from Charles II coronation, in 1660

A Victorian Pleasure Garden

The Savoy as it used to look (presumably the 1920s, I didn't check)

Women's Suffrage

The display on suffrage is a good example of the numerous specialised exhibits on major topics.

...through the streets of London

Ceremonial staff, umm, ends

You'd need to spend a good few hours to really soak in the details. A big picture, focused on the history and development of one of the world's greatest and oldest cities. I wonder if any other great world cities have anything coming close to this quality and depth of museum?

The Lord Mayors Coach

One final point - the Museum is in the middle of a busy road system, and part of the slightly bizarre above-ground walkway system around the Barbican centre. You have to go up some almost random looking (but signposted) escalators to get to the entrance. And it's an oddly deserted part of London at times. This picture should help orient you:

It's in the middle, right there

Cost: Free
Food and Drink: One large cafe, one small, both good. The fact they need two cafes really should have tipped me off to how busy it is there
Toilets: Forgot to check.
Travel: It's here. St Pauls. You may want to tie in a visit to St Pauls at the same time, that makes sense
Web: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/