Museums and Galleries

The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich – The National Maritime Museum in Greewich, London, actually consists of the Maritime Galleries, the Queen’s House and the Royal Observatory which together show visitors the importance of time, the stars, the sea and ships. Highlights include planetarium shows, fine art collections and a variety of exhibitions.

The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London – This famous museum is free to visit and houses a wealth of historical artefacts from many different periods of history, including Renaissance Europe. Use the website to browse collections, galleries and artefacts.

The Museum of London – The perfect place to learn about London from prehistoric to modern times. Here you can see Tudor and Stuart artefacts like the famous Cheapside Hoard of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery, the Copperplate Map, cutlery, weaponry, watches, coins, ceramics and glass.

The National Portrait Gallery – This famous gallery was founded in 1856 and now houses around 120,000 portraits which date from Tudor times to the present day. Here you can see many Tudor portraits, including ones of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I.

The Tate Britain, London – This gallery is one of the UK’s four Tate galleries and houses British art dating from the 1500s to the present day. A small collection of Tudor and Stuart portraits can be found here, including a portrait of Elizabeth I by Nicholas Hilliard c. 1575.

The Victoria and Albert Museum, London – For rare historical artefacts from many different periods of history. The Medieval and Renaissance collection includes clothing, tapestries, woodcarvings, Renaissance jewellery and Henry VIII’s writing desk.

Royal Armoury, Leeds, Yorkshire – This museum is home to a large part of the UK’s collection of armour and arms and its five themed galleries house over 8,500 objects. Here you can see Tudor arms and armour here, including the armour worn by Henry VIII at the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold. You can also see jousting in the Tilyard, falconry shows, horse shows and explore the Craft Court.
Note: From April 2009 – January 2010, many of Henry VIII’s personal armours will be on display at the Tower of London (Henry VIII: Dressed to Kill) and will not be at their usual home at the Royal Armoury, Leeds.

The Falstaff Experience Tudor World, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire – The Falstaff Experience is named after Shakespeare’s character, John Falstaff, and incorporates the Tudor World museum set in a real Tudor building, a building known as the most haunted in England. Enjoy browsing around the museum or scare yourself with a ghost hunt.

The British Library – With its 14 million books, it’s the perfect place to spend the day researching Elizabeth I and the Tudor period. This year (2009), the British Library is holding a special exhibition to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne – Henry VIII: Man and Monarch.

The National Archives – The British Government’s National Archives has got 1,000 years of history under its roof and is used by historians, researchers and people wanting to trace their family trees or find out historical information. As part of the Henry VIII 500 Year Anniversary, the National Archives’ website has got a special online exhibition – Henry VIII: Power, Passion and Parchment.