The Wallace Collection is a national museum in an historic London town house. situated bang in the middle of Central London close to Marble Arch and Oxford Street. If you’re looking for a gallery that is slightly hidden away from the tourist trail, yet still packs a punch in terms of artefacts, then add this to your list.
Join us for a Private Tour
Come and join us, there’s a specially curated 75min private tour of the museums ‘highlights’ in the diary for My Culture Club members on June 7th (£15).
Enjoy curated events for small groups of like minded people at the Bus Stops new members club. It’s a chance to catch up with your friends, care for your grey matter and network at the same time (if you fancy it). Sign up to the club for email alerts now (free membership during the launch period, link above).
François Boucher, Venus, France, 1754.
The History
The museum was established in 1897 from the private collection mainly created by Richard Seymour-Conway, 4th Marquess of Hertford (1800–1870), who left both it and the house to his illegitimate son Sir Richard Wallace (1818–1890). Richard’s widow thankfully, bequeathed the entire collection to the nation. The collection opened to permanent public view in 1900 in Hertford House, and remains there to this day. A condition of the bequest was that no object should ever leave the collection, even for loan exhibitions
The Collection
The Collection numbers nearly 5,500 objects and is best known for its quality and breadth of eighteenth-century French paintings, Sèvres porcelain and French furniture. Its 25 galleries are unsurpassed displays of French 18th-century painting, furniture and porcelain with superb Old Master paintings and a world class armoury.
The Great Gallery has been described as “the greatest picture gallery in Europe.” It reopened in September 2014, following a two year refurbishment with a new hang and a reconfigured ceiling allowing natural light in.
Frans Hals, The Laughing Cavalier, 1624
Drop In Family Fun
They run drop in activities, where the kids can try on armour at any time in the Conservation Gallery, pick up a free trail at the Information Desk. Choose from ‘Warrior Kings!’ or ‘Looking for the Owners’. It’s also worth trying out the children’s audio guide available from the Information Desk (price: £3)
Weekend & Holiday Events
The events team run a range of weekend and holiday events. The Little Draw charity run a drop-in art workshop held in the galleries on the first Sunday of each month from (1.30-4.30pm). They also run School Half-Term and Holiday Activities and Special Day Events which take place approximately four times per year (at the weekends). Expect a full entertaining day of talks, craft activities, hands-on sessions and all round creative fun. Check on line with the museum, or drop me a line at the Bus Stop to find out what and when if you fancy (I’m nice like that).
Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps, The Punishment of the Hooks, France, 1837.
The Wallace Restaurant
Their rather bright and airey Peyton and Byrne restaurant is open for breakfast, lunches from 12pm, afternoon teas complete with vintage champagne, and late dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings. It might be a haunt for the odd business lunch during the week, but don’t be shy about crashing the party. Peyton and Byrne are a decent bunch, and they know by now how to look after the likes of us.
Deaf Visions; These pioneering activities are led by Deaf artists and art historians with an interpreter on hand for hearing activities. Keep across the website for details of what is in the event schedule.
Address
Hertford House, Manchester Square
London, W1U 3BN, United Kingdom
Telephone +44 (0)207 563 9500
Admission Free, Open 7 days a week, 10am – 5pm. Closed 24 – 26 December
Events coming up in March & April 2016
| 06 Mar | 1:30PM | All Ages | The Little Draw |
| 29 Mar | 10:30AM | 6+ | Pixel Art |
| 29 Mar | 2:00PM | 6+ | Pixel Art |
| 31 Mar | 10:30AM | 9-13 | Painting Portraits |
| 03 Apr | 1:30PM | All Ages | The Little Draw |
| 08 Apr | 11:00AM | 5+ | Badge of Honour |
Visiting by bus
Numbers 2, 10, 12, 13, 30, 74, 82, 94, 113, 137, 274 all stop nearby.
Visiting by rail
Marylebone Rail Station is approximately a 10-15 minute walk.
Parking
Parking on nearby streets metered until 6.30pm. A selection of car parks can be found nearby. To reserve a disabled persons’ parking space, please call +44 (0) 207 563 9524. Parking map.
Visiting by Tube
The nearest tubes are Bond Street (Jubilee & Central Lines), Baker Street (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Bakerloo and Metropolitan Lines) & Oxford Circus (Bakerloo, Central, Victoria Lines), whcih are all 10-15 minute walk.
Access
For visitors with an Assistance Dog, Marble Arch is the nearest tube with stairs. (click here for access options).
The Wallace Collection is conveniently located in Central London, just a few minutes walk from Oxford Street, Baker Street and Marylebone Village.
Creative Bus Stop 