The Wallace Collection, Marylebone, London

This is one of my favorite museum/art galleries. It is free (optional donation) and small enough to while away a couple of hours without being too exhausting. It is worth a visit for the crowd free opportunity to view one of the world’s greatest masterpieces, The Laughing Cavalier. You can get up close and not have to worry about being moved on.
The rest of the exhibits are an eclectic mix that you only ever really get with a private collection. It ranges from snuff boxes to suits of armour. I have not eaten at the internal plaza style restaurant but the setting looks wonderful.
Situated behind Selfridges, it is a great way to combine shopping and culture.

An excellent small museum with a fantastic collection, and amazingly it is free. Join one of the tours and hear personal and historical information from some of the interesting guides. Each tour is different, as the guides bring their own knowledge, personal interests and impressions to the collection.

The Wallace Collection is a lesser known gem a couple of streets back from the bustling Western end of Oxford Street. Displayed here are the works of art owned by the family that lived in the house in which the works are displayed. The collection, while having its specialisms, is diverse enough to fascinate and absorb anyone with more than a passing interest in art. The house itself is full of character and it is surprisingly easy to become disorientated once inside. One of the leaflets available in the foyer asserts that ‘it is possible to explore the 25 galleries in just an hour’, which I think is a quite ludicrous statement given how much is packed into each room. I was there for about two and a half hours and found that this was not enough to take everything in. Famous paintings on display include Hals’ The Laughing Cavalier and Fragonard’s The Swing, but my personal favourites were A Hermit by Gerrit Dou and The Temptation of Saint Hilarion by Dominique Louis Papety. Entry is free and a visit is highly recommended.

I first visited this gallery as an art student. It is a bit tucked away.

Although probably best known for its magnificent eighteenth century French paintings, furniture and porcelain, the Wallace Collection also displays many other treasures such as paintings by Titian, Rembrandt and Frans Hals (The Laughing Cavalier). There is also the finest collection of princely armour and arms in Britain as well as opulent displays of gold boxes, miniatures, sculpture and medieval and Renaissance works of art.

The Wallace Collection is both a national museum and the finest private collection of art ever assembled by one family. It was acquired between 1802 and 1875 by three generations of the Marquesses of Hertford and by the 4th Marquess’ son, Sir Richard Wallace, whose widow bequeathed it to the nation in 1897. It is displayed against the opulent backdrop of Hertford House, which was once the family’s main London residence.

Exhibitions and special events run throughout the year. Admission free.

We had a works event at the Wallace Collection which is the only reason I know about this place, otherwise I wouldn’t have had a clue - like most Londoners. The paintings are gorgeous and the setting makes it feel really intimate and manageable. The picture that stands out is The Laughing Cavalier - absolutely fabulous up close.

A wonderful gem that just not enough people know about! Has a fantastic collection of works, shown in a house-like setting which only increases the beauty of it, as it is a family collection. Has infamous paintings such as Fragonard’s 'The Swing’ and Frans Hals 'The Laughing Cavalier’ which I’m sure most British people don’t realise we have in the UK! Great afternoon out and it’s free. Has a fantastic restaurant in the atrium and a friend recently got married here and it was a spectacular setting. Just off Oxford Street and an oasis of calm, with friendly staff. Highly recommended!

This is a true hidden gem of London. Having lived in London, I felt ashamed I didn’t know this place existed until recently!
They have an unusual selection of things here - the collection of swords and armoury is pretty impressive and I’m not usually into that kind of thing! They also have replica armour you can try on which is pretty fun.
The galleries are pretty good, some of which are a bit 'crowded’ with paintings, but I’d rather that than missing out on seeing some of the pictures because they are in storage! It was a particular treat to see 'The Laughing Cavalier’.
The house itself is absolutely beautiful, and it is obviously conserved very well by the people that work here. When I was there they were offering drawing workshops which the children were enjoying.
There is a friendly vibe about the place and I really enjoyed my visit.

I really enjoyed the Wallace Collection. The building (the former home of the Duke of Manchester and the Marquess of Hertford) is a treat in itself. The collection is stunning: there is so much to see that it is overwhelming. I’ve only visited once so far, but I plan to go back. I think this museum is best done in small bites. It’s easy to do that, because the Wallace Collection is open 7 days a week, and it’s free! There is a beautiful restaurant in the (now enclosed) courtyard of the building, too. Combining the great art collection and the beautiful surroundings makes for a very pleasant spot.

My favourite London museum, because of its amazing quality and intimate feel. Where else can you get so close to Rembrandts. Where else do you find more of Marie Antionette’s furniture and paintings than even in Versailles?
And where else can you relax in a glorious quiet courtyard restaurant a within a short walk from Oxford St?

Fantastic, quirky collection. Outrageously over-priced cafe but good service. Shame about the BO of one of the curators, but I suppose that’s one way to get people to leave at closing time.

A nice and not very known collection in the middle of town, best to get off at Bond St. station as it is two minutes walk from there.
In the Wallace collection you can find amazing art including but not only: paintings, porcelain and antique furniture that will leave you with your mouth open.
It is free entry but the collection is not at it’s best financial state at the moment so please go in to the gift shop and buy yourself a souvenir to help keep the collection open and free.

A very charming musuem in a very charming square a stone’s throw from the very uncharming Oxford Street and its masses.

What I especially like about the Wallace Collection is actually the cafe/restaurant towards the back. It’s a lovely atrium (I have a thing for atriums) and is a superlatively charming place to enjoy a tea on a beautiful afternoon.