Category: Museum

Museum

Freud Museum London
A picture of the front of the building of the Freud museum in London

The Freud Museum is located on Maresfield Gardens in North London. This very spacious detached house was the final home of Sigmund Freud. An Austrian neurologist and most famously founder of Psychoanalysis.

Freud and his family moved into this rented property on the 27th September 1938 where he remained until his death on the 23rd September 1939 aged 83. After his death the house remained occupied with his wife Martha Freud, his sister in law, daughter Anna and their housekeeper.

His daughter Anna Freud’s last wishes were for the house to be turned into a museum chronicling her father’s life and works. Anna Freud died in 1982 and her wish granted, the Freud Museum was opened to the public in July 1986.

Sigmund Freud came to London in 1938, after fleeing Nazi-occupied Vienna and briefly lived in house in Elsworth Road nearby before moving into this house.

Freud’s Study

  • Freud’s Iconic Psychoanalytic Couch
  • Freud’s Desk and Armchair
  • Freud’s Original Armchair

Freud was able to bring with him his much-loved collection of antiques and extensive library of books recreating his study/consulting room much the same as it had been in Vienna, his original home of 47 years.

The study is packed with his antiques mainly bought from dealers in Vienna and transported here when he came to London. Most originating from Rome, Ancient Greece, Egypt and the Orient. He had a passion for collecting and visited many archaeological sites over the years.

Sigmund Freud’s famous Psychoanalytic couch is now one of the most Iconic pieces of furniture in the world. Currently displayed at the museum this famous piece of furniture was given to him by one of his patients, Madam Benvenisti around 1890. Patients would like on the couch and Freud would sit in the green tub chair deliberately out of sight. He once exclaimed to Hann’s Sachs “I cannot let myself be stared at for eight hours daily”

I was most intrigued by his unusual looking armchair at his desk. It was specially made for him in 1930 by an architect called Felix Augenfeld, as a gift from one of his daughters Mathilde. Apparently Freud had a habit of reading in unusual and uncomfortable positions and this armchair was designed to maintain his habitual posture making sitting down reading far more comfortable for him.

This iconic desk in the photo is his original desk and back in the day was filled to the brim with an array of writing impliments, smoking paraphernalia and antique figurines.

This study and Library was preserved by Freud’s Daughter after his death and is exactly as he left it.

Books

You cannot help but notice the large collection of books lining the bookshelves. Freud was an avid reader and his favourite authors include Shakespeare, Heine, Flaubert, Geoth and Anatoe France.

The library of books cover a wide range of subjects including History, Archaeology, Philosophy, Literature, Medicine, Psychology and Psychoanalysis.

Most of the books on display are the ones he chose to bring with him from Vienna.

The House

Sigmund Freud completed his life and work in this house and it offers a unique insight into him and of Psychoanalysis.

A theatre is located on the first floor to which I had the great opportunity watching a film of him and his family.

The museum’s gift shop is located on the ground floor selling a host of memorabilia, souvenirs, gifts and books.

I fully recommend the hiring the audio guide. You are loaned a small device with headphones which gives you an informative audio tour guide of the rooms.

Museum

Charles Dickens Museum

Located on Doughty Street, Central London is this historic museum details the life and works of Charles Dickens, a writer and a critic regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.

Dickens moved into this then rented Georgian townhouse in 1837 with his wife, Catherine Dickens and first child spending nearly three years. Of the various homes Charles Dickens took up occupancy, this is the only one that remains today.

Opened to the public on the 9th June 1925 his actual furniture and personal effects furnish throughout the house. The hallway walls are lined with his original writings and paintings hung throughout the building. Information can be noted on the exhibits, walls and display cabinets. His famous novels are on display and for sale in the museum shop.

Charles Dickens lived at this property in London 1837-1838. Relatively unknown here, he wrote under a pen name Boz, a family nickname.

The Rooms

The spacious late Regency style decor Georgian townhouse is set on five floors including the entrance hall, dining room, morning room, kitchen, scullery, wash house, drawing room, his study, his dressing room, nursery, wine cellar and several bedrooms.

All filled with original furniture owned and used by Charles Dickens.

Charles Dickens original desk.

Located in the study an original desk he used to create his famous works. Taking occupancy in this then rented Georgian townhouse he focused on fiction for the very first time.

It was here in Doughty Street where his fiction works were born and he was very productive producing his legends such as Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby and others

Charles Dickens Museum Cafe

I thought I would give a shout out to the cafe located on the ground floor selling great coffee and a selection of delicious cakes. I fully recommend the tasty scones.

Museum

Royal Air Force Museum, London

Today I visited The Royal Air Force Museum situated in North London and what a great afternoon it was. The whole museum, split into a whopping six hangers, was packed to the brim with old military aircraft, military vehicles, uniforms and equipment from days gone by.

Throughout the buildings posters, audio screens and information pods blared out information and facts about the history of the RAF. I personally recommend anyone to put this on there to do list whether you are visiting London or you live there.

About the Royal Air Force Museum

On entry I purchased their very colourful souvenir guide packed with information about the RAF’s role, it’s history and details some of the heroic people who have fought for our Country. Including heaps of photographs, history and information of the fighting machines, vehicles and equipment displayed throughout the hangers.

The Royal Air Force Museum was opened By HM Queen Elizabeth II on 15th November 1972 having been originally an RAF base (RAF Hendon) since 1926.

The very early planes

  • Avro 504K
  • Blériot XXVII
  • Caudron G.3

The first stop was hanger 1 and above are some first planes drafted into military service. They are iconic for their time and as you can see here technology has really moved on. But it was a joy walking around seeing these old original vintage planes that once ruled the skies.

The RAF Fighter Planes

  • Submarine Spitfire Mk IA
  • Fairey Battle Light Bomb
  • De Havilland Mosquito

The museum has an array of fighter planes from this spitfire to missile launchers and bombers. The one that caught my attention was ‘The Mosquito’, it was largely built of wood at a time when most other aircraft were built of metal. It was also used by the American Air Forces because it was a good quality aircraft. There were many Military planes in the museum and these are just a small handful on display here and I fully recommend you visit.

RAF Search and Rescue Helicopters

  • Westland Sea King HAR3
  • Westland Wessex HCC4
  • Westland Whirlwind HCC4

The RAF provide an integral role in search and rescue both in the United Kingdom and abroad, in fact 90% of their call outs are in response to civilian incidents here in the UK. These three types of helicopters are now retired from service but ruled the skies in their day. The Westland Sea King above was the original helicopter flown by HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William whilst he served as a search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley.

RAF Transport Helicopters

  • Augusta Westland EH101 Helininer
  • Westland Belverdere HC1

The RAF has supported it’s own people and those in need around the world delivering disaster relief and humanitarian aid since 1918. The above transport helicopters have worked in both civil and military operations until they were retired.

Military Vehicles

  • Ford Model T Light Tender
  • Daimler Ferret Scout Car
  • Fordson Sussex Ballon Winch Vehicle

There is a selection of military vehicles on display throughout the museum including motorbikes, cars, 4X4’s, ambulances and specialist vehicles. My favourite had to be ‘The Ferret Car’, a fast and light 4X4 armoured car. The first prototype was finished in 1949 and they came into production in 1951. The RAF started using them in the 1960’s; apparently ‘The Ferret Car’ saw action in most parts of the world as it proved to be a tough and reliable vehicle.

The Facilities

There are a total of three coffee shops, two located inside and Claudes Cafe located outside and plenty of bathroom facilities. Outside there is a children’s play area with a mock helicopter and there is a gift shop for memorabilia etc located in hanger 1. There is lots of interactive pods and your able to board several of the crafts.