Built in former almshouses (occupants thoughtfully relocated to Hampshire), the Geffrye Museum was originally conceived as an encourgement to the East London furniture trade, and its main exhibits are a series of rooms furnished as they would have been in various periods, from the 17th century to the present day: lots of opportunity to say loudly that Aunty Flo had one just like that etc etc. However, the rooms do include pictures. The Victorian ones were acquired (at a time when they were very cheap) for their decorative suitability; even so -- or perhaps for that very reason -- there are several of interest.    There has been a major extension to the Museum in recent years and the new space includes space for temporary exhibitions (their 'Oscar Wilde and the Aesthetic Interior' in 2000/1 was good -- and free) and an elegant little restaurant.    Getting to the Museum is the unsatisfactory bit. The 67, 149, 242 and 243 bus routes go past the door, and you can catch a bus from Liverpool Street main-line station or Old Street underground station. Getting there by car is also practicable, and it is not impossible to park, especially at weekends. Website Map

Works at Geffrye by Harry Brooker George Elgar Hicks Frank Holl Charles Robert Leslie Rebecca Solomon