The Wallace Collection — Attraction in London

I was walking to Saint James Roman Catholic Church when I happened upon the Wallace collection I couldn’t resist the price, free!!! I was astounded at the collection of beautiful art in this gallery and was ever so happy I stopped. Spent well over two hours wandering through the gallery - delighted to see so many masterpieces in one location. The curio cabinets on the first floor under the leather drapes was well worth opening, admiring, and being in awe of!!

The Wallace Collection is a national museum housing unsurpassed masterpieces of painting, sculpture, furniture, arms and armour, and porcelain.

Built over the 18th and 19th centuries by the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, it is one of the finest and most celebrated collections in the world.

The Collection was given to the British Nation in 1897 by Lady Wallace, so that it could be kept together and enjoyed by generations of visitors. It was an astonishing bequest and one of the greatest gifts of artworks ever to be transferred into public ownership.

Today, we care for the collection through research and conservation, and preserve it for future generations. Our aim is to share the collection with as broad an audience as possible.

Explore our world-famous collection of paintings, sculpture, ceramics, furniture and arms and armour through the free Wallace Collection digital guide from anywhere in the world. Accessing the App

Download the app on your mobile or tablet. Once downloaded, search for 'Wallace Collection'.

At the museum, simply connect to our free wifi and you will be prompted to download the app. You can also search for 'Bloomberg Connects' on the App Store or Google Play.

Subject to availability, we have a limited number of devices with the app available to borrow from the front desk - please ask a member of staff for details.

The app is available in many languages (including Arabic, Welsh, German, Greek, Ukrainian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, Korean, Chinese, and Dutch) thanks to integration with Google Translate, and has options to explore the collection via audio...

The Wallace Collection is a beautiful place, no doubt about that. But my visit was really dampened by an uncomfortable interaction with one of the staff.

I was in a room where photography is clearly allowed, just taking a photo of the space because it looked amazing. A staff member happened to walk into the frame, which I didn’t even realize until later. While I was reviewing the photo on my phone, he suddenly came up, looked at my screen without asking, and in this very “I’m going to teach you a lesson” tone, told me I shouldn’t have taken the photo and needed to delete it.

It wasn’t shouting, but the tone was loud and pointed enough that people nearby could hear. It felt unnecessarily confrontational and left me feeling pretty embarrassed.

What’s strange is that the staff member had been walking around the small room repeatedly, holding a brochure over his face like he was trying to give the impression that his privacy was being invaded. My partner also noticed this and pointed out how odd it was — almost like he was deliberately staying in the space while trying not to be seen. But honestly, who goes to a museum like this just to take a photo of a random staff member? I was there for the art and the space.

There were no signs saying staff couldn’t be in photos, and I wasn’t trying to photograph anyone in the first place. If he didn’t want to be in the frame, he could have just stepped aside or said something politely.

After telling friends and checking online, it seems I’m not the only one who’s had a weird experience with the staff here. It’s such a shame. The collection is wonderful, but the way guests are treated really affects the overall visit.

Would love to come back and enjoy it properly someday, but honestly this kind of energy really put me off. If you’re planning a visit, just a heads-up — take your photos carefully. You never know who might decide to walk into your frame and get upset...

Visited The Wallace Collection on Fri 24th June 22 and what an amazing experience I had. I never knew this place existed. I only discovered The Wallace Collection because of the Inspiring Walt Disney - French Art exhibition which I bought a ticket to.

Upon arrival, once I went through the doors, I was mesmerized. It was like stepping into a mini stately home. I first attended the exhibition on the lower ground which was quiet and spaced out. Very well put together with lots of information on how animate objects were brought to life in Disney's animations such as childhood favourite Beauty and the Beast. The attention to detail in the drawings on display were incredible as well as the ornaments and grand clocks on show.

Afterwards I explored the Wallace Collection and was amazed. This place is a hidden gem in the heart of London waiting to be discovered. Full of grandeur and elegance, if you like renaissance style décor, then you will love this place as it is like a mini palace/stately home.

Only a short walk from Bond St station, cross the street, down James St, about 5-7 mins then left on Hinde St and you come to Manchester Sq. What amazed me is this place is completely free to explore and you are allowed to take pictures as long as no flash. Definitely recommend...