London's hidden museums and libraries

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The quirkier and unsung enclaves of curios in the capital

© Andrew Brackenbury
4/14

Hunterian Museum

Wandering among this collection of thousands of medical specimens and cases of surgical instruments is fascinating. It’s not gruesome, though. The space is super-stylish, with the clearly labelled glass specimen jars displayed neatly along clean glass shelves. The best exhibits are pickled organs from soldiers who fought in the Battle of Waterloo, Winston Churchill’s dentures and the skeleton of Charles Byrne, the 'Irish giant'.

Read more about the Huntarian Museum

Pete Townshend in The Vault
Mask fan - English 18th century
Items at the library include a Nazi board game where pieces depicting Jews had to be rounded up
1st floor Mid 18th Century Drawing room
'Adam & Eve' by Cranach
Girl and octopus at the Grant Museum
London Library reading room


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  • Interesting mix am definitely going to the Fan Museum and the London Library

    Patricia Wed Apr 18 2012
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  • Interesting mix am definitely going to the Fan Museum and the London Library

    Patricia Wed Apr 18 2012
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  • If you are interested in exploring London's fantastic history and culture with other like minded people, then join the London Cultureseekers Group - www.cultureseekers.org We meet up 3-4 times a month and explore museums, art galleries, visit historical buildings, the theatre and go on guided walks. It's the best way to make friends whilst exploring London!

    London Cultureseekers Group Tue Sep 28 2010
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  • I have not been! Where is it!

    George Dobson Sat Jul 10 2010
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  • I visited this museum, it is like a time capsual of my past fantastic to remember the food etc that we used to have & also to see how packaging has evolved (& still is) over the years. LOVED IT:)

    Ruth Mon May 3 2010
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  • pls can u send some more days out and activities and i also went to see the dinosaurs unleashed and it was fantastic.

    George Cobbold Fri Apr 2 2010
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  • what about The Old Operating Theatre Musuem? Is not on there- creeeepy!

    Lula Thu Mar 25 2010
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  • I was taken by my professor to this one.. Its worth a visit..

    Jigar Mehta Fri Feb 26 2010
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  • i wanna go this museum

    our plan Mon Feb 15 2010
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