The Wallace Collection London

High art and heavy armour

Peter from London

About me I’m an American guy living and loving London. I moved here to study but fell in love with the city and stayed. Aside from exploring new corners of the city, I enjoy theatre, exploring second-hand bookshops, rugby (and a bit of Quidditch). I am a keen traveller (42 countries and counting). However, no matter what exotic locale I am visiting, after a few days...
""The Wallace Collection" in London's Hertford House offers a gentle breather from last-minute sales. I like their European and Oriental Armoury collection!"

Situated just minutes from the hectic shopping hordes of Oxford Street, the serene atmosphere of the Wallace Collection in Hertford House offers a gentle breather from the overstimulation of last-minute sales.

The art collection itself covers such a wide range that most visitors will find something to please them. Art from Turner, Canaletto, Rubens and Van Dyck will capture the interests of fans of paintings, while the large collections of porcelain will entertain ceramics connoisseurs.

Although the art pieces are a joy to behold, I think it's the rooms themselves that are the big draw to the museum - each room gives a taste of Versailles: sumptuous, decadent and occasionally over-the-top. Often I find I stare as much at the richly decorated wallpaper and delicately crafted fireplaces as much as the art on the walls. For those who love the French bling, the new exhibition on replicating French furniture will please your inner-Marie Antoinette.

The room I find I spend the most time is on the ground floor just beyond the gift shop. The European and Oriental Armoury collection includes every shape of sword and every size of armour. The real draw is the equestrian armour displayed in the centre of the room. Spending a few minutes here will tap into the inner-knight in all of us.

002-building
Art & culture

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

London Spotter Peter

About me I’m an American guy living and loving London. I moved here to study but fell in love with the city and stayed. Aside from exploring new corners of the city, I enjoy theatre, exploring second-hand bookshops, rugby (and a bit of Quidditch). I am a keen traveller (42 countries and counting). However, no matter what exotic locale I am visiting, after a few days I long to be back in London to walk amongst its parks, browse its bookshelves and eat its eclectic foods. Why London? Growing up in the US, London always seemed like a fantasy city...

About this spot

Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN

£

free

2075639500

Oct 3, 2025

Our London City Guide

Find your way with 276 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Unwined

With a glass of wine

As an independent wine bar their focus is on stocking wines from smaller producers, lesser known regions and grape varieties, and also female winemakers.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

The Penny Drop

Proper coffee in Fitzrovia

The team at the Penny Drop are real coffee geeks in the best possible sense of the word and go to great lengths sourcing the best coffee beans out there.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Fortitude bakehouse

Sourdough enthusiasts heaven

If you arrive in the morning you’ll find their popular morning buns with a variety of fillings, sticky buns, beignets, and more!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Rondo La Cave

A hip wine bar

Rondo La Cave is a hip wine bar situated in the basement of the Hoxton hotel and has a charming rustic interior with dim lighting.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Lamb's Conduit Street

Bloomsbury's hidden gem

Quiet yet somehow buzzing, classy yet unpretentious, central yet hidden. What impresses me most is the concentration of great spots in such a small area.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Milk cafe

Best brunch in London

The menu has all the brunch classics you’d expect and also some more unusual offerings as well as weekend specials that change regularly...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Bloomsbury Farmers' Market

A mid week treat

The Bloomsbury farmers market is a small market for fresh produce and lots of different food stalls held every Thursday on Bloomsbury square.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Southwark Brewing Company

A special spot

Southwark Brewing company has a range of traditional beers such as ales, IPAs, porter, and bitter - all really fresh and available on draft or bottle.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Museum Lates

Enjoy museums without the crowds

Museum Lates is a concept that is essentially a late-night opening when you can explore the exhibitions without the day-trip crowds getting in your way.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Stir Coffee Brixton

Coffee with a local vibe

Stir Coffee Brixton is a lovely neighbourhood coffee shop located on the corner of Brixton Hill and Arodene Road which has a very chilled vibe.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

House of Hodge

Books, books and more books

It was set up in 2009 by Highbury resident and cat enthusiast Doreen Rolph, as a place to raise funds for local animal welfare organisations.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Madeline

Gowers

Nov 21, 2025

Brunei Gallery

Art from across the globe

Past topics include tent-making in Islamic Cairo, recycling methods in Japan and underground pop culture in ‘50s to ‘80s Ghana.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Nov 21, 2025

Heading to London?

276 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

London app Home
London app Home
London app Map
London app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

276 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
19
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters