The Geffrye Museum Museum of the Home

The Geffrye Museum has to be one of my most visited museums for me. I love it and not just because of its collections but also because of its lovely gardens and stylish restaurant too. 

It is also known as the museum of the home because that's what it's all about. House interiors through the ages. 

Opening Hours and Admission

Admission is FREE to the main museums. There is a charge for special exhibitions.

Opening times:

Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays 12 - 5pm

The Geffrye museum is closed Mondays (unless Bank Holiday), Good Friday,
24th-26th December and 1st January

Address: 
Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA
Tel: 020 7739 9893

www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

The museum is situated inside beautiful 18th century almshouses and is set back from the busy road. You are taken through a long corridor which is segmented into various rooms from the ages including the original chapel.

You then find yourself in the latest addition to the museum, a modern area consisting of a restaurant which overlooks the gardens and rooms and exhibitions from the more recent past.

Although this is one of the smaller of London museums you can still spend many happy hours here and if you come at Christmas you will be treated to all the rooms being decorated in the Christmas decorations of the period, including sounds and smells. 

The Museum Of The Home Galleries and Collection

The Period Rooms - There are eleven rooms depicting Living and dining rooms from 1600 to the current day. The rooms are all so inviting and are so well put together that they really make you feel as if you want to stay. 

There are audio tours available too if you want to know more about each room as you pass through them.

I have two favourite rooms, the 1930's room which is filled with Art deco design, I can really see myself living in such a house and the 1970's room which takes me right back to my childhood. I'm sure I lived in a house with the very same furniture.

Or course every room will inspire different feelings and reactions from individual visitors. I think this is the real beauty of the Geffrye museum; it says something too and connects with everyone. 

The Geffrye Museum Gardens

The gardens are also set out to reflect different periods in time. There is a 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th century garden space, so again there will be something which will appeal to everyone.

The 18th century garden is my favourite spot as it shows how the love for formality and regimented planting of the time. Hedges were all the rage and the garden I grew up in also had a similar feel.

There is also a lovely walled herb garden which is a real haven of peace and tranquillity. A central small water feature gurgles gently away all the time and there are seats al around the edge of the garden, making this a perfect place for a quite read or contemplation.

Restaurant and Shop

The Geffrye museum boosts a very elegant Restaurant which overlooks the gardens is the perfect spot for a piece of cake and tea or for a light Lunch.

The food is of top quality and is well worth the slightly raised prices but when you consider the museum is free and this helps to support the upkeep of the museum I'm sure you will agree it is more than worth it. I always stop here for tea and cake; my visit simply wouldn't be the same if I didn't.

There is also a small shop where you can pick up books related to the museums topic, gifts and even handmade bird baths. There are items for the kids too if they want to take home a souvenir of their visit.

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