After eating far too much at Borough Market, I decided to go for a walk. I did not know where to go but soon found that London is like Hong Kong: it’s a great city for walking and sightseeing. It is amazing how quickly you travel between shopping districts, office areas and residential zones. Around every corner you find something of interest; a church, a famous street or a building you think you may have seen before in a textbook or on television.
The other great thing about walking in London is that there are so many parks. Did you know that there are five royal parks in central London? There, you can see tall trees that are very old. If only they could talk, what stories would they be able to tell?
But back to my walk. After Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street and Oxford Street, I found myself in a place called Manchester Square. On the north side, I saw a wonderful old house and discovered it was a museum – a very famous one. The Wallace Collection has been on display to the public in Hertford House, Manchester Square, since 1900. Richard Seymour-Conway (left), who lived from 1800 to 1870, brought most of the collection together. He certainly collected a lot over his 70-year life!
There are over 5,500 pieces of art and other historic objects on display. Stepping into the museum is like stepping back in time. Terrifying men, brave soldiers, and beautiful women stare down at you from the walls. Whole rooms contain collections of European and Asian armour, swords and shields.
For me, the highlight was the paintings. Many famous artists are represented. Paintings by Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto are all there. I walked around slowly with my mouth wide open as I saw so many paintings I recognised. Here they were not copies, but the real thing. How much did each one cost?
So much art, so many beautiful things to view, and I was allowed into the Wallace Collection for free. When Seymour-Conway died, he left his house and collection to the nation. There was one condition for his gift, though. Nothing should leave the collection, ever. So if you are lucky enough to visit the Wallace Collection one day, you will see everything that I saw, because nothing is ever taken away. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
The Director of the Wallace Collection introduces to this incredible museum:
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