Sherlock Holmes; The Man who Never Lived and Will Never Die
Eldest Son has quite an eclectic taste, but when he gets a passion he gets.a.passion.
And Sherlock Holmes (in book, film or TV guise) is one of his passions. I think it started one wet welsh holiday, when the best reading on offer was one of those huge Complete Short Stories. He devoured them and we have never looked back. I would go so far as to say he is most definitely a fanboy.
So when we saw that the Museum of London had an exhibition on about Sherlock (The Man who Never Lived and will Never Die) we began to plan. Sunday was the last day, and the only time it matched our holiday plans this year. We booked, we went, we really enjoyed.
The Museum of London is a little off the beaten track, lying a five minute walk to the north of St Paul's and near to the Barbican Centre. It's a good museum, dealing with the history of the capital from prehistoric time until the present so I knew we would have plenty to occupy a day there.
We walked from Holborn tube station to the museum, mostly because it gave us the chance to pass Lincoln's Inn Field, Chancery Lane, Hattons Garden, The Old Bailey, and Holborn Viaduct. It has been a lovely week weatherwise, so we walked a fair bit. And London is a series of underground stations unless you actually stay above ground and look. A half hour train journey with three changes may be a simple half hour walk passing by interesting sights. Or not. If you're a 13 year old diva, it's a torturous route to blisters and pain.
The exhibition was really good. I volunteered to be Watson to his Holmes, since I can do "What does this mean, Holmes?" in a really good Nigel Bruce voice. It had displays of the original manuscripts, copies of the Beeton Christmas Annual that Study in Scarlet first appeared in, pictures and photographs galore. A short section had paintings and etchings of London contemporaneous to Holmes, with fog, gaslights and all. Screens played excerpts from a range of adaptations (did you realise there had been so many? I didn't!) and modern Sherlock sat very happily alongside vintage. Fanboy was a happy sleuth, and treated himself to the accompanying book, while I (joy of joys) found a new addition to our Christmas Tree; Sherlock the Decoration.
The Museum has so much more; they have a display on the Olympic Flame from 2012 (that wonderful conceptual idea of the many individuals joining together as one) and the Lord Mayor's Coach. As the first stop on a week in London it really worked for giving us an insight into the life and times of London.
And Sherlock Holmes (in book, film or TV guise) is one of his passions. I think it started one wet welsh holiday, when the best reading on offer was one of those huge Complete Short Stories. He devoured them and we have never looked back. I would go so far as to say he is most definitely a fanboy.
So when we saw that the Museum of London had an exhibition on about Sherlock (The Man who Never Lived and will Never Die) we began to plan. Sunday was the last day, and the only time it matched our holiday plans this year. We booked, we went, we really enjoyed.
The Museum of London is a little off the beaten track, lying a five minute walk to the north of St Paul's and near to the Barbican Centre. It's a good museum, dealing with the history of the capital from prehistoric time until the present so I knew we would have plenty to occupy a day there.
We walked from Holborn tube station to the museum, mostly because it gave us the chance to pass Lincoln's Inn Field, Chancery Lane, Hattons Garden, The Old Bailey, and Holborn Viaduct. It has been a lovely week weatherwise, so we walked a fair bit. And London is a series of underground stations unless you actually stay above ground and look. A half hour train journey with three changes may be a simple half hour walk passing by interesting sights. Or not. If you're a 13 year old diva, it's a torturous route to blisters and pain.
The exhibition was really good. I volunteered to be Watson to his Holmes, since I can do "What does this mean, Holmes?" in a really good Nigel Bruce voice. It had displays of the original manuscripts, copies of the Beeton Christmas Annual that Study in Scarlet first appeared in, pictures and photographs galore. A short section had paintings and etchings of London contemporaneous to Holmes, with fog, gaslights and all. Screens played excerpts from a range of adaptations (did you realise there had been so many? I didn't!) and modern Sherlock sat very happily alongside vintage. Fanboy was a happy sleuth, and treated himself to the accompanying book, while I (joy of joys) found a new addition to our Christmas Tree; Sherlock the Decoration.
The Museum has so much more; they have a display on the Olympic Flame from 2012 (that wonderful conceptual idea of the many individuals joining together as one) and the Lord Mayor's Coach. As the first stop on a week in London it really worked for giving us an insight into the life and times of London.
I remember visiting this museum when I was a teenager. It's lovely to see that they still have the Lord Mayor's coach - it made a real impression on me at the time. Jx
ReplyDeleteIt must have been the museum we visited when I was in Junior school, as well! And the coach is still really beautiful; just like a fairytale.
DeleteThe Sherlock exhibition looks great - I'm really annoyed with myself as I'd meant to visit and now it's finished! Looks like you had a lovely week away - looking forward to hearing more!
ReplyDeleteAnd how! London is so good as a destination; too much to see for a week alone, so we have plans to come back again (and again...)
DeleteOOh - I didn't know they had Holmes exhibition on - I'm a big fan too. I'll never forget how surprised I was when I read 'A Study in Scarlet' for the first time - it was so different to everything I'd expected. I love the Cumberbatch/Freeman combo too but I'm also a big fan of Downie-Junior/ Law. Thanks for posting this - I'm going to have to go on a trip to the London museum too now. It's a great museum - I can remember the first time I ever went there in primary school. I love what you say about the '13 year old diva' - as someone who's been suffering a lot from blisters recently I have every sympathy!
ReplyDeleteThe exhibition has closed now.... we actually only just made it on the last day! But the whole museum is really interesting for anybody who likes London.
DeleteThis was one of the places S and her classes visited on a school trip on Maundy Thursday. They didn't go for the SH exhibition though!
ReplyDeleteGlad it was enjoyed so very much.
Lisa x
It was a good first day in London!
DeleteWe didn't see any school trips, though; probably because we were there on a Sunday!
How have you survived this long without Sherlock the Decoration?! Our vicar has the Archbishop of Canterbury on her Christmas tree but it wasn't intentional and makes for a conversation piece! xx
ReplyDeleteI'll get one of those if I ever get to Canterbury.
DeleteI love the St Nicolas people decorations and have got into the habit of buying at least one every holiday to serve as a souvenir and, in the cold, dark depths of winter, it helps us remember our summer happiness.
Interesting place, I must admit I wasn't aware of this museum but looks a good place to visit. Love the photo of your son in his deer stakes!
ReplyDeleteCaz xx
He wore it here and on the Friday when we went to 221b Baker Street!
DeleteAgree with you about the walking, you miss so much by travelling by tube. I went to the museum donkeys years ago and remember seeing that coach, how nice that it's still there.
ReplyDelete