Victorians! discussion

I am so excited - I am going to London!

In two months I will go to England/London on a very short trip. Since I am reading all these Victorian books, I am thinking about seeing something related to the literature and that time. Can you recommend anything?

Do you know of a good museum showing how people lived in the Victorian age? Or a residence of a famous author? Or anything else?

My centre of activity is mainly Marylebone, Mayfair and St James’s.

I've never been, so color me jealous! But we have several members who live there; and several who have visited. So exciting!!!

Charlotte wrote: "I am so excited - I am going to London!

In two months I will go to England/London on a very short trip. Since I am reading all these Victorian books, I am thinking about seeing something related t..."

While I can’t recommend anything that shows how they lived in the Victorian age, you can go to the Victoria and Albert museum. I believe it was started by them. London is wonderful. Always something going on. Great theater. If you want something kitschy and fun, you can go to the Sherlock Holmes museum. Yes on Baker Street. Great art in all museums. Westminster Abbey is beautiful. You can take boat rides down the Thames. The Tower is interesting. Longest line will be for the Crown Jewels. You can skip that if you want, yet still see the tower. Hope this helps. I’ve been twice to London. Once to Wales. Love England

Oh, Charlotte, I love London! I worked South London 25 years ago during two years. Then I went back there twice with my children. There's so much to see! I fyou wish to see all London in a glance, climb Primerose Hill. Then hang out in the district of Primerose, it's adorable and you can take very nice brunches!

Thank you, all of you for your recommendations!

I am thinking of anything that has to do specifically with the books we read in our group: Victorian authors, Victorian houses (I am going to study the Victorian pubs! 😀), Victorian dresses and interior decoration, perhaps an intact flat full of Victorian furniture.

I’ve found something now:
http://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/05/gar...

Perhaps I will visit this house.

There is always the Charles Dickens Museum in Doughty St. That is well worth the visit, and related to Victorian literature.

dickensmuseum.com

I hope you enjoy your stay in London. I lived there a few years ago and I still go back a couple of times a year. It's a wonderful city

Charlotte wrote: "Thank you, all of you for your recommendations!

I am thinking of anything that has to do specifically with the books we read in our group: Victorian authors, Victorian houses (I am going to study ..."

There’s a pub that still like the Victorian age and dickens went there. I can’t remember the name. I will check with a friend

Hi Charlotte

Have fun! I would also recommend Dr Johnson's house, and second the recommendation as to the Dickens Museum.

See, too, if you can go to Haworth in Yorkshire, and see the Bronte Parsonage Museum.

All the best, John

For 18th century and some Victoriana, check the Soanes museum (mostly architecture). Take a look at the pubs around the British Museum. Avoid Soho (now touristy and commercialised). Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Street is worth a visit at lunchtime (food rather pricey) and reputedly has Boswell's chair on display. The Tower of London is worth a visit but a bit pricey (has Henry VIIIs original suit of armour). Immediately after her execution, Anne Boleyn was buried in a small chapel there. Get out to the Dulwich Picture Gallery for a lesser-known, quieter spot. London also has several pleasant gardens to visit where you can sit and have a cheap picnic lunch. The supermarkets (when you can find one in the centre!) have the lowest prices for good food - plenty of English cheeses and quality brown bread. Make sure you try some of the craft beers in pubs in the UK.

It is worth mentioning you will be lucky to hear English spoken on a London bus (get a travel card that also covers the underground). London has a splendid transport system and it is worth studying a map - (usually handed out free in tourist information centres) your card will take you anywhere.

If you get lost, pop into a newsagents (e.g. Smiths) and get a free look at the the London A-Z maps book.

If you get a chance, visit Cambridge for the feel of UK academia. Many cities outside London still have a historical feel and it is worth getting out of the rush of London. National Express coaches (mostly from Victoria) are cheap and numerous.

The British Library has a fantastic rare books collection (Treasures of the British Library) and often has really interesting exhibits. I also enjoyed popping "next door" to look at St Pancras Station which is just an amazing Victorian building and of course you can just walk in and look at the interior.

Here’s the info on the dickens pub

https://now-here-this.timeout.com/201...

And another one. I went to this one. It’s authentic

http://www.exploringsouthwark.co.uk/t...

Thank you so much! I have noted your kind recommendations and will follow them if not this time, then next time I am in London!

There is an amazing house in Spitalfields, or near by, that has no electricity. It is candle lit, with books from the period etc. It is far better than the reconstructions as it was lived in until relatively recently, the owner forgoing the use of electricity for lighting, heating and cooking. I'm trying to think of the name but there is a blank. If I can find my review on Trip Advisor I'll post again.

Dennis Severs' house at 18 Folgate Street .

Robin wrote: "Dennis Severs' house at 18 Folgate Street ."

Thanks! Interesting!

There are also maps of some of the famous places mentioned in literature. You can walk along with Dickens, etc. I've seen this online once. With the excellent public transport you are really not bound by London alone, but also see the home of Jane Austen (my sister did that on a visit), etc.
You will have more options than time to do it in :)

John is a wonderful touristic guide!
Charlotte, if you have a second day to spend outside London, you can visit the Chatham Historic Dockyard. My children and I enjoyed this site, ten years ago. It's amazing, interesting and fun!
There's a Victorian ropery, old boats, museum...

I'm going to London too; in early May for a short visit. I accidentally saw this thread and so happy I did. Thanks for the information everyone.
I particularly want to visit Victoria and Albert museum and the British museum. I love to visit museum but was able to do National Gallery only the last time I was in London.

John wrote: "It is worth mentioning you will be lucky to hear English spoken on a London bus (get a travel card that also covers the underground). London has a splendid transport system and it is worth studying a map - (usually handed out free in tourist information centres) your card will take you anywhere.
..."

Exactly John. That is how I managed to see some of the London attraction two years ago when I visited. Few times I got confused with metro lines but the staff were very accommodating in giving you proper directions.

John, your suggestion to Charlotte to visit Cambridge made me want to visit there too. :-)

John wrote: "For 18th century and some Victoriana, check the Soanes museum (mostly architecture). Take a look at the pubs around the British Museum. Avoid Soho (now touristy and commercialised). Ye Olde Cheshir..."

Great suggestions! Thank you, John!

I have borrowed this book. It has a lot of details:
Walking Dickens' London

Dear Charlotte and Piyangie, Cambridge is good for a slightly country feel, with the river Cam forever present. Again, National Express coaches are cheaper than the train. The local people look happy. Dont miss the Fitzwilliam Museum and a grassy tree-lined walk round The Backs. For some reason, I like Parker's Piece - an enormous grass field, not far from the main streets. Waterstones is a good, very large bookshop. Try the tea shops - usually very good quality cakes and, of course, tea. I have not visited the Cambridge University Tea Society, in Trinity College, but it sounds worth a peek. Cambridge is more walkable than Oxford (fewer traficky roads).

I second Deborah on the Sherlock Holmes museum. I went twice when I went to the U.K. 25 years ago! I think there's also a Sherlock Holmes pub.

John wrote: "Dear Charlotte and Piyangie, Cambridge is good for a slightly country feel, with the river Cam forever present. Again, National Express coaches are cheaper than the train. The local people look hap..."

Thank you very much for the information, John. Would definitely visit Cambridge.

Bruce wrote: "I second Deborah on the Sherlock Holmes museum. I went twice when I went to the U.K. 25 years ago! I think there's also a Sherlock Holmes pub."

Now this is interesting. A Sherlock Holmes Museum! Will like to check this out when I visit in May. Thank you, Bruce and Deborah.