London is packed with famous Victorian memorabiliafrom world-class museums to breathtaking monuments.
But there are also many lesser-known attractions to discover in the town, such as shopping arcades, pie and mashed potato restaurants, cemeteries and pleasure gardens.
Focus on Victorian London.
Victorian London: article summary
Victorian London: head for a Victorian-inspired museum
There are several museums in London where you can see what life was like in the Victorian era.
The Ragged School Museum, featuring reconstructed classrooms and an East End kitchen from the 1900s, lets you put yourself in the shoes of a poor Victorian child.
For a real Victorian house in which you can move freely, visit the Leighton House Museum, the preserved studio of the era's most famous artist, Frederic Leighton.
The William Morris Gallery, packed with interior design treasures from the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, is also worth a visit.
Take a walk around town
A stroll through central London is all it takes for a Victorian experience, given the number of London landmarks that date back to this era.
Victorian workers were great builders. Among the iconic structures in central London erected during Queen Victoria's reign are :
- Visit Parliament
- Visit Tower Bridge
- Trafalgar Square
- The Nelson Column
- The Royal Court of Justice
- Visit National Portrait Gallery
To the west, South Kensington's museum district is another place to visit. you can immerse yourself in the Victorian era.
Galleries and museums along Exhibition Road include:
- The Natural History Museum
- The Science Museum
- The Royal Albert Hall
- The V&A
These premises were built at the request of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, who wished to create an unprecedented center of cultural and scientific learning.
If you want a more specific Victorian experience, there are a number of themed walks to try.
Victorian London: stroll through a green space
London's parks are perfect for experiencing the Victorian atmosphere. Many were built during Victoria's reign, and some are still in use today. of the older ones received significant additions during this period.
The gigantic Victoria Park, built in 1845, is well worth a visit. It was the first public park built specifically for ordinary people, to help improve public health in the slums of East London.
Crystal Palace Park, created in 1854 home to the magnificent Crystal Palace, is another park worth visiting.. In addition to a labyrinth, lakes and a concert venue, the most iconic feature is a range of life-size dinosaur models.
Treat yourself to a Victorian shopping spree
There aren't many Victorian stores left in London, but the development of consumerism and shopping as a pastime in the second half of the 19th century left an indelible mark on the city.
Many of London's most iconic stores were founded during or at the dawn of Victoria's reign. Harvey Nichols opened its doors in 1831, Harrods in 1849 and Liberty in 1875.
Although today's stores are very different places, parts of their interiors still display their Victorian origins. Harrods' large food court is a prime example.
Elsewhere in the city, the Victorians built covered halls and shopping arcades, many of which still exist today. Marks from the past can be found at :
- Leadenhall Market
- Old Spitalfields Market
- Burlington Arcade
- Royal Arcade
Victorian London: enjoy a meal outdoors
When it comes to traditional Victorian food, your best bet is definitely pie and mashed potato.
This simple, working-class dish has been popular for centuries, but first existed mainly as street food. At that time, traditional pie, mashed potato and eel stores began to flourish.
By 1890, there were over 50, and by the end of the century there were over 100. One of London's oldest surviving patisseries is M Manze, on Tower Bridge Road, which opened in 1902 and was followed by several other members of the Manze family, who still run the business today.
Now you know what you need to see when you want to visit Victorian London. On your next visit, you can take a closer look at the trademarks of this bygone era.
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