This modestly-sized local museum belies the treasures housed inside. Downstairs there is a…read morepermanent exhibition telling the story of Kingston through the ages. Start at the very beginning and you'll encounter an impressive array of Roman and Saxon artefacts. Move closer to modern times and there is an abundance of fascinating and diverse items. I enjoyed being transported to the early 20th century, as I gazed at the very chic uniform belonging to the Thames Watermen, who were 'licensed to row' and ran a similar service - across the river - to today's road-based taxis. I was curious to discover early laundry equipment and to find-out about the ladies of the tub, as the local washer-women became known when they went on strike in 1827. Here, I also spied an adorable model of famous little Nipper- the HMV dog - who was a Kingston resident. As you climb the stairs, there are some beautiful paintings belonging to the Brill Collection, owned by the Council, portraying appealing local settings and buildings. Then onto the temporary exhibition Until May 31st, it's a must-see, especially for children and anyone wanting to return to their childhood. Entitled There's Magic in the Nursery! there are stunning 19th century illustrations by Walter Crane, Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway. A perfect opportunity to recollect and reminisce with all your favourite nursery rhymes and to enjoy them with a new generation. Lots of free workshops, drawing and storytelling events accompany the exhibition - ensure you book in advance, as they're proving very popular. Adult entry to the museum is £1.

if you are walking past this is a grat place to stop in and look around, it has some great pieces…read moreand some lovely story about the history of thurrock and its residents.

My favorite part of visiting the UK are the free museums. Much to my surprise and delight...when I…read morewas looking for things to do in Richmond...this museum pops up. I was super excited to try it. I could tell it was not going to be a London museum experience when I was lead to this nondescript biding and had to climb the stairs up a few floor to get to it. This is a tiny museum and basically across just a couple of rooms and has info regarding the local history during the war and BC times as well. The elderly volunteer was super nice.

I am so pleased to have discovered this museum. Living so near London, I am slightly spoilt by the…read moreendless choices of museums that we have on our doorstep. Practically every moment of history is well documented somewhere across London. Having been used to the vast spaces of say, the Tate Modern, I forgot that museums can be small venues, and yet be just as informative. I found the Museum of Richmond on the top floor of the Old Town Hall, which is the large Victorian building that slopes down to the riverside. I had only popped in because there was a sign outside which read 'Charity Christmas cards for sale'. I had no idea that inside this building sat Richmond Library, and on the top floor Richmond Museum. I was the only visitor in the museum, bar the staff, who could not have been more helpful and informative. In fact, they guided me through the various sections, explaining the history as they went. The most fascinating thing that I learnt was that Richmond used to have a Palace, it sat on what is now Richmond Green and was occupied by Henry VIII until he moved down the road to Hampton Court Palace. They have a model of how the Palace was laid out which I spent about half an hour gazing at. Other sections included Wartime Richmond, the slave trade connection, the railway age, information about the Royal Parks, and a section about the Carthusian Monks and their connections with neighbouring Sheen. It was one of the most informative afternoons that I have had in a long while, and it won't be long before I go back. Admission is free, by the way.

I did my work experience here,and although the building may seem inferior from the outside,its not…read morefrom the inside. Things inlcuded within are the first ever engine powered car,an orginial lock up cell,numerous Waltham Forest related items such as Halex/Xylonite etc. There are also things such as a roman sarchophagus,old signs,a recreation of a Victorian Parlour Room and a 1940's room Its free entry so youve got a great little museum to look around for nothing. The staff are great also. If you read this guys thanks for your time,sorry i havent been to visit for a long time!!!!!

This is a hidden star! On the backstreets of Walthamstow Village is the historical gem that is this…read moreMuseum. Within sight of the historic St Mary's Church, The museum is situated in the old parish workhouse (with a suitably grim message over the entrance!) Once through the doors (although the exterior is interesting, with the site of the old parish lockup marked out and an doorway from a demolished Walthamstow mansion) a wealth of artefacts await, including the oldest British-built petrol driven car, a police cell, a Victorian parlor, and the local archive, photographic archive and local studies library (the last three by appointment only) Behind the museum is a reconstruction of the workhouse garden, which is peppered with larger bygones such as a horse trough and water pump. Although this has no refreshment facilities, it is very close to Walthamstow Central and its hoard of take-away shops, and the garden is a pleasant place to picnic if the weather approves. There are modern toilets in the extension. There is a shop which sells local history books and lots of interesting bits for children. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and there are always lots of extras going on in school holidays, so check out the website. There isn't a great deal of parking close to the museum (there is a lay-by for 3 or 4 cars outside) but a major car park is about ten minutes walk away. I recommend this to all, it was just saved from closure (it was open 6 days until recently) its free to enter and well worth a visit.

Great little museum, obviously all about islington, with three or four videos about various aspects…read moreof the borough that are quite interesting. Apparently the Waterstones on Islington Green was a very famous music hall for many years until a fire in the 1950s, which I didn't have any idea about. There's a little play area for kids, and a great display of old theatre posters. There are prehistoric remains, medieval stuff as well, it's not the sort of place you'd deliberately set out to go to, but if you're visiting the library you might as well pop in.

Nice little museum if you're interested in Islington's history. If you've no connection to the…read moreborough I can't imagine it being particularly exciting.

Perhaps not as spectacular or as instantly recognizable as the National Portrait Gallery or the…read moreTate Modern, but the Geffrye is good at what it does. It's a museum recording and celebrating London interior design and decoration through the ages. With displays from the 1700's right through to the 2000's, it's a neat look at the evolution of the typical English home. You'll be hard pressed to spend more than an hour or two here and I recommend moving on if there are a school-load of students. It can get very loud. Do spend the £2 for the audio guide. It's well worth getting the additional background and detail that isn't mentioned on the display captions or the various postings. I'm glad I went, but I don't know that this is the sort of place you do a second time.

Lovely museum that gives you an idea of what houses in London looked like across the centuries…read more Especially beautiful to visit during Christmas time with each room done up in era appropriate Christmas decorations. This museum closes for 2 years for refurbishment on 7 Jan 2018, so do visit before that.

We stumbled into Hackney museum after taking shelter from a particularly nasty rainstorm and what a…read moresurprise it was! It's not huge but is really interesting. It really opened our eyes to the history of our local area and is a very well-curated museum. Highly recommend if you are passing.

Located deep inside Priority Park, this museum is nothing compared to what it used to be now…read moreseeming like nothing more than an old building that you can walk around and look at the furniture. This museum needs to be publicised more and get in some of the larger exhibits, and perhaps form some form of collaboration with other local museums in the area such as the Central Museum near the Southend Town Centre, and perhaps share exhibits and information, perhaps offer some sort of buy-out. The museum itself is decently laid out with some small exhibits from (very) Old Leigh, and provide information on the local area over the past centuries, as well as the museum itself, of which the staff are very educated on. It's not a day out, but if you're spending some time in the park and the museum is open, it's well worth a peek inside for 15-20 minutes.

The museum has recently been completely refurbished and renewed now telling the story of the…read morerestored Priory. Old reviews before 2012 are out of dated now. Lovely building with very interesting story told of monks and their lives in a fascinating building. Well worth seeing.