Sir John Soane’s Museum

The museum was established by Sir John Soane, who managed to pass an Act of Parliament in 1833 to establish the museum as a means to prevent his son from inheriting his collection. The Act stated that the museum’s trustees maintain the museum as it had been left on Sir John Soane’s death in 1837, which means that this is an authentic old-school museum with a cluttered feel with many exhibits unlabeled and none of the interactive, push-button, exhibits that you find in more modern museums.

In many ways, this museum is similar to the Horniman Museum as a showcase for a private museum collection.

What to see at Sir John Soane’s Museum

The museum’s exhibits are split between drawings and models of Soane’s architectural works and also his personal collection of antiquities. It houses around 40,000 artefacts including art, architectural models and Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities.

The museum’s art collection includes works by Canaletto and JMW Turner but the best-known artwork is A Rake’s Progress, a series of eight paintings by William Hogarth that depict the decline of the son of a rich merchant who comes to London and subsequently spends all his money.

The model room has a collection of 120 architectural models including both his own works and architecture of the classical world including Pompeii and the Temple of Vesta as well as a model of the Law Courts of Westminster.

The museum’s main highlight, however, is the sarcophagus of the Egyptian King Seti I, which Soane acquired by outbidding the British Museum.

You are also able to visit the rooms in the museum where Sir John Soane lived, which depict how the wealthy would have lived in London during the early 19th century.

Visiting Sir John Soane’s Museum

Sir John Soane’s Museum overlooks Lincoln’s Inn Fields not too far from Kingsway and High Holborn. Holborn tube station (on the Central and Piccadilly lines) is only a three-minute walk away.

Its central location and free admission mean that there are sometimes queues at the entrance. However, queues move quickly and you shouldn’t have to wait longer than 15 minutes to get inside.

You cannot bring bags into the museum and photography is prohibited.

Because most exhibits are unlabelled, it is often worth taking a guided tour. Tours of Sir John Soane’s private apartments are free (taking place Wed–Sun 1.15pm and 2pm) but the highlights tour costs £12.50 (and is held Thu–Fri noon, Sat–Sun 11am & noon).

Although this is not the most disabled-friendly museum, a lift has recently been installed giving wheelchair access to all floors. Standard wheelchairs won’t fit down many of the museum’s narrow passageways, although the museum does have some customised narrow wheelchairs that you may use.

The museum is not really suitable for children.

You should expect to spend around two hours here.