Expanding City: 1666-1850s
Entering the new galleries, discover a city rebuilding itself after the Great Fire. A 240 year-old printing press spills news stories across the gallery in an innovative collision of new and old technologies. Museum treasures, including Nelson's sword, stunning Huguenot silks, and the extraordinary aerial view of the 1806 Rhinebeck Panorama, can be admired as you walk over cases which hold the city's archaeology underfoot.
London was the capital of a vast empire and this global influence was seen in the goods that Londoners could buy, from Indian cashmere to fans and lacquer furniture from China.
The capital was a busy and chaotic place. People were drawn from all parts of the world. Immigrants brought new skills that benefited the business and cultural life of the city. In size and population, wealth and power, there had never been a city like it.
Don’t miss…
The Fanshawe dress
Admire this exquisite dress made from local Spitalfields silk weaved by French Huguenots and worn by Ann Fanshawe when her father was Lord Mayor of London in 1752-53.
Wellclose Square Prison cell
Step inside this original 18th century prison cell and read the graffiti engraved by the unfortunate prisoners serving time for unpaid debts.
Pleasure Gardens
Stroll through our beautifully recreated late 18th century pleasure gardens, full of period costumes and specially commissioned masks and hats by contemporary milliner Philip Treacy.