Wallace Collection

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Address
Hertford House Manchester Square London W1U 3BN
Opening Hours
10.00am - 5.00pm daily
How to get there
Nearest Tube: Bond Street
Duration
1.5 - 2 hours
Age
7+
Accessibility
fully accessible
Price
FREE
9.3

Based on 5 reviews

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24 February 2015

A good gift shop and nice toilets. A good gallery to choose for a quick bit of culture in the afternoon as it is so much smaller and more intimate than the big museums like the British Museum.

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About The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is one of those proper hidden gems – a grand old townhouse in the middle of London filled with treasures that’ll have kids going “cool!” and grown-ups going “how have I never been here before?” Expect rooms full of glittering gold furniture, epic portraits, and enough swords, helmets and full-on knight suits to excite even the most reluctant museum-goer. Best of all? It’s completely free. Younger kids love the armour, teens can sketch or mooch about on their own, and grandparents? They’ll love the calm vibe, plush chairs, and possibly the excellent cake selection. Bonus points for lovely loos and a glass-roofed café that feels very Bridgerton.

Top tip from the KidRated team:

Head straight to the armoury, it’s where the magic happens. Think shiny helmets, massive swords, and a few “Mum, take a photo of me with that!” moments.

What age is it best for?

Brilliant for ages 7 and up, especially if your kids are into knights, treasure or drawing. Teens can roam with their sketchbooks, little ones love the helmets, and grown-ups love pretending they live there.

What is there to see?

You’ll find paintings, porcelain, portraits, suits of armour, swanky furniture and even a few hidden swords. It’s like stepping into a historical version of Cribs, if Cribs had cannons.

Anything we shouldn’t miss?

Yes, the arms and armour galleries are top-tier. Add in the Great Gallery and the full-on fancy state rooms for the full wow-factor. Honestly, it’s the closest you’ll get to a fairytale castle vibe in central London.

Are there family trails or sketching activities?

There are activity packs, trails and even free sketching materials for kids and teens. Keep an eye out for pop-up events during school holidays, they often run hands-on armour sessions too.

Can we take photos?

Yes – snap away, just no flash and no pics in the café. There are some great selfie spots too, especially near the armour and in the gold-leaf rooms.

Are there food and drink options?

There’s a gorgeous café in the covered courtyard that serves everything from children’s lunchboxes to posh cakes. If you’re after a picnic, you’ll need to head outside – no snacks in the galleries, sorry!

Is it accessible?

Yes, fully buggy and wheelchair friendly, with lifts, accessible toilets, and helpful staff on hand. The building’s old, but the access is bang up to date.

How long should we stay?

You’ll need at least 90 minutes to hit the highlights, but if your kids get into the sketching or storytelling, you could easily stretch it to a couple of hours (especially with cake).

What’s close by?

It’s tucked just behind Oxford Street, so you’re minutes from Hyde Park, Marylebone High Street, or a quick hop to Regent’s Park. Great for building a mini itinerary.

How do we get there?

It’s a five-minute stroll from Bond Street Tube. Or grab any bus along Oxford Street and hop off at Selfridges. It’s closer than you think.

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