Long, cold winter days are the perfect excuse to explore London’s museums!

Make sure to add The Wallace Collection to your list: this free central London gem offers incredible art, guided walks, family-friendly trails, stunning architecture, and a beautiful glass-roofed courtyard restaurant. Forget dull museums: this one will make you fall in love with art!

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you inside the remarkable Wallace Collection!

The Wallace Collection: London’s free Art and history museum

The museum is perfectly situated in the heart of London, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, yet just a short walk from the action.

The Wallace Collection is displayed in the former home of the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford.

It takes its name from Sir Richard Wallace, who, alongside the Marquesses of Hertford, built this remarkable collection throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

The collection showcases fine and decorative arts from the 15th to 19th centuries, including major holdings of 18th-century French paintings, furniture, arms and armour, porcelain, and Old Master works, carefully displayed across 25 galleries.

This incredible collection easily rivals London’s other renowned museums.

And the best part? In addition to its vast array of artworks, entry is completely free!

I’m always amazed at how many opportunities London offers to experience art for free. A privilege no one should miss! Now, let’s explore the collection’s treasures…

An exceptional collection of Art

My goal isn’t to show you every work of art (that would take forever and spoil the visit), but to convince you that the Wallace Collection is an extraordinary treasure trove you simply can’t miss when in London.

A remarkable collection of paintings

The Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace were savvy art collectors with a particular attraction for European grandmasters’ paintings.

While the 1st Marquess of Hertford (1719–94) acquired paintings by Canaletto and commissioned portraits of two of his daughters from Sir Joshua Reynolds, the 2nd Marquess (1743–1822) was loyal to Reynolds but also bought portraits by George Romney and Thomas Gainsborough.

The collection displays other Italian grandmasters like Caravaggio, Guardi, and Titian, to mention just a few.

The 3rd Marquess of Hertford (1777–1842) on the other hand was a fan of Dutch painting, which is a strength of the Wallace Collection, with three galleries dedicated to these works. You’ll see paintings from Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and even the famous The Laughing Cavalier (1624) by Frans Hals…

The 4th Marquess of Hertford (1800–70) and Sir Richard Wallace acquired the major part of this collection between 1840 and 1888 and as they spent most of their adult lives in Paris, they developed a strong interest in French painters of the 18th and 19th centuries like Antoine Watteau, Boucher, and Nicolas Lancret (it’s, again, just a selection of what’s showcased at The Wallace Collection).

It is Lady Wallace (1819-97), widow of Sir Richard, who left the entire collection to the British nation in 1897 that opened three years later as the Wallace Collection, a national museum.

Honestly, one visit won’t be enough for you to explore all the rooms and galleries, but you can choose to focus only on your favourite styles and painters to make it more “digestible”.

Stunning sculptures on display

I love the sculptures presented at The Wallace Collection: they’re very expressive, sometimes with weird poses, some of them looking very modern and funny.

Whether you like the sculpture or not, I think they will not leave you indifferent.

Exquisite treasures

There are so many different objects with a rich history, this could be the subject of a museum in itself…

All objects always have a little description associated with them, there are so many anecdotes and facts around them it’s fascinating. My advice would be to select just a few you’re drawn to and take the time to learn their stories.

Astonishing collections of arms and armours

Fans of arms and armour will especially enjoy the visit. The collection here is vast!

French Furniture and Decorative Arts

You will also find, alongside the paintings and sculptures, the 18th-century French furniture and decorative arts. Again, a treasure for all fans, which I am not particularly so I’ll let you make up your own mind about it.

A gorgeous al fresco restaurant setting

The restaurant at the heart of the Wallace Collection is simply stunning!

Sunlight streams through the glass roof, filling the courtyard with natural light and creating a delightful setting to enjoy lunch amid beautiful architecture and elegant sculptures.

Discover Peyton and Byrne’s French-style brasserie and drop-in café, serving a simple yet flavourful menu of fresh, delicious dishes. Perfect for a relaxed meal!

The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea – and as I mentioned, it’s ideally located. You can even dine here without visiting the museum.

A modern museum

Nowadays, museums are getting more creative to stay exciting, and The Wallace Collection is no exception! They’ve launched a free app with Bloomberg Connects, letting you explore 400+ artworks and exhibits anytime, right from your phone. Super easy to use and packed with fascinating info!

The Wallace Collection website is also an incredible source of information with analyses, explanatory videos on certain subjects relating to the works of art presented in the museum, and downloadable resources for families, to make the visit even more attractive to kids.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are about to explore the Wallace Collection soon, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!

And don’t forget to check out my other museums recommendations here!

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To go further:
The Wallace Collection: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Website

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