Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
It’s not hard to romanticise the story of the discovery of Sutton Hoo, ‘The Dig’ film on Netflix being an excellent case in point. Admittedly, it was a bit less attractive in the horizonal rain that greeted my arrival to the site. Regardless, the story of the excavation, finds and what they can tell us about the Anglo Saxons were enough of a distraction. It’s … Continue reading Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
Executions, Museum of London Docklands, London
‘Executions’ is a dark theme for an exhibition, but it would be impossible to write a history of London without mentioned them. The exhibition is fittingly dark, both in physical appearance as well as content. However, it manages to be sensitive to the horror, informative of the facts and adds flourishes of extra detail. There’s no blood guts and gore, but there are hard hitting … Continue reading Executions, Museum of London Docklands, London
Hieroglyphics: Unlocking Ancient Egypt, British Museum, London
I think I have found the solution to the recurring problem I have had with British Museum exhibitions being crowded to the extent of visits become uncomfortable – booking the first slot of the day. Suddenly I was able to wander around the space freely, read panels without queuing and most magically get to stand in front of the Rosetta stone without jostling. I know … Continue reading Hieroglyphics: Unlocking Ancient Egypt, British Museum, London
A day trip to Halifax
Halifax is my home town, but having left at the age of 11 I have vague memories, but no substantial links. The launch of the successful BBC series ‘Gentleman Jack’, a drama based on the life of Anne Lister, dragged Halifax into the limelight. So back to Halifax I went for a little history tour. First stop was the Halifax Gibbet. Now I have absolutely … Continue reading A day trip to Halifax
The World of Stonehenge, British Museum, London
The number of five star reviews this exhibition has received is ridiculous, so I have been excitedly waiting to see what all the fuss is about. It did not disappoint. It’s one of the first time I have seen this galley space so open and, although it was busy, it did not feel crowded like it has done previously. As always the displays were beautiful. … Continue reading The World of Stonehenge, British Museum, London
Copenhagen; a museum lover’s guide
I visited Copenhagen last November, my first trip since lockdown. And let me tell you it was nice to get out and about, see some museums and soak in the culture of a different country. The trip was by no means intended to be museum heavy, but with the purchase of a Copenhagen card it made sense to try and fit in as much as … Continue reading Copenhagen; a museum lover’s guide
The Unfiltered History Tour, Online
Even the simplest of objects has more than one story. For example, an object could be considered from the perspective of the maker or owner, or alternatively from an artistic view or for its function, or what about for its value – but are we financially or emotionally? No museum could present all the perspectives of every object so instead they select the narrative that … Continue reading The Unfiltered History Tour, Online
Peru: a journey in time, British Museum, London
Let’s face it, visits to museums in 2021 were tricky. Covid put a stop to many things and many museums rightfully closed, or reduced visitor numbers in response. Personally, I did not managed to sit down and write up many visits because, like the vast majority of people, I was just hanging on in there. But it’s 2022, and although Covid has by no means … Continue reading Peru: a journey in time, British Museum, London
Intervention, Medicine Man Gallery, Wellcome Collection, London
[As of November 2022 the Medicine Man Gallery at the Wellcome Collection closed. On Twitter the Wellcome Collection acknowledged that, “the display still perpetuates a version of medical history that is based on racist, sexist and ableist theories and language”. As much as I personally enjoyed the gallery and (as you can see below) I found the conversations and interventions that they incorporated into the … Continue reading Intervention, Medicine Man Gallery, Wellcome Collection, London
Periods: a brief history, Vagina Museum, London
The Vagina Museum has been on my list for a visit ever since it opened its first premises in Camden Market in 2019. Predictably there are penis museums around the world (like the Icelandic Phallological Museum), but until this point, nothing on the Vagina. It’s always worth having a snoop on a museums values and mission statements and the Vagina Museum’s deserve a standing ovation.
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Museum Mutterings 