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“Displays start form "London before London". You can...”

written by Yuko Seyama on 30/09/2008

Good Points
Admission free. Good location. It's about a 5-minute straight walk from the tube station at St. Paul's. You can learn a lot about the history of London from half a million years ago.
Foreigners like me can get the outline of the history in a short time. You can also join a free highlight tour of the day. There is a lift. Wheelchairs are available for free. The cloak room is on hand for big baggage.

Bad Points
The Lower galleries are now closed until 2010 for transformation. Expensive snacks and refreshments at the Cafe near the entrance.

General Comments
Displays start form "London before London". You can touch some of the exhibits like flint handaxes by yourselves. Various ancient tools and relics are displayed. A reconstructed 5000-year-old Shepperton Woman will surely attract your attention.
You'll be conscious of time passing. Next is "the Roman Gallery". The history of Roman Britain is shown not only with text but also with a bird's eye view of an ancient city and reconstructions of the Roman style of living. You'll enjoy a Roman life for a while. "Medieval London" follows. You'll enjoy a miniature model of St. Paul's and reconstructed rooms of those days.Gorgeous everyday items such as embroidered cushions are on display
as a part of Victorian life. The highlight of the displays in the museum is "the Great Fire of London in 1666". You'll learn how the Fire influenced London afterwards. A guided tour, TV videos, and computers also help you to understand the catastrophe.
I wish there were more displays covering the following ages, but we'll have to wait until 2010. Have a look at this museum, and you'll soon be well-informed about London.