Guildhall Clockmakers' Museum

Museum in Bloomsbury

Address
Guildhall, Aldermanbury , Bloomsbury, EC2P 2EJ

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Telephone
020 7638 5500

Category
Museums

Region
Bloomsbury

Nearest Station
Chancery Lane
0.42 miles

Website
www.clockmakers.org

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Founded in 1813, this museum has the oldest collection of clocks and watches in the world. Some of the items on display date as far back as 1600, and there are over 600 to admire at any one time. Among the rarest pieces are the marine clockswhich aid navigation at sea; there are also highly embellished grandfather clocks and a Nativity watch which is shaped like a Star of David and adorned with Biblical images.Aside from the timepieces there are paintings, books, manuscripts and related documents with annotations made by clockmakers. You can even inspect the clocks close up by applying to the museum in advance for permission. The museum is open from Monday to Friday and entry is free.

Guildhall Clockmakers' Museum Picture Gallery

Best For

London's oldest attractions

Something for the history-buffs...

Guildhall was once as important as the Houses of Parliament, as the place where the City's government members gathered. Construction ended in 1440 although rebuilding was required after the Great Fire. Within its galleries are many paintings and statues of important historical figures as well as London's oldest relic: the remains of a Roman amphitheatre where gladiator fights once took place.