Decent Geezer

Back in May last year, one sunny afternoon, we ventured up to Ealing, West London and visited the Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, it was a fascinating place and was the "country seat" of Sir John Soane an architect and designer of 18th century des-res for the rich and famous. While in London last week I had an hour to kill while waiting to take my Son to lunch and decided to pop into John Soane's house Museum. Sitting just behind High Holborn and adjacent to Lincoln's Inn Field the building was his London residence which he essentially turned into a huge collection of ancient artifacts. The house hasn't been materially changed since Soane died in 1815 and was preserved via a private act of Parliament (Soane was obviously well connected, and as well as totally minted!).

It's a fascinating place, so much "stuff" and the interior of the house is like a labyrinth of floors and passageways all full of items that Soane collected during his life. There's even an authentic Egyptian sarcophagus in the basement in perfect condition, you can even see the hieroglyphs that were etched onto the inside of the stone vessel, totally amazing. It's pretty unbelievable that one man could amasses such a collection but it's all the real McCoy and I'm sure there's even more pieces in a storage room somewhere, or on the upper floors which were closed off to the public.

The painting above shows Soames at the height of his powers, I can't help thinking that he looks like a friendly chap! Of lowly birth (his Father was a brick layer in Goring on Thames) he worked his way up the greasy pole of London society through architectural skill, innovation and networking to emerge a wealthy and talented man of his time, friends with the likes of J.M.W. Turner (the painter) and designer of prestigious buildings like the Bank of England.

It's a fascinating place, well worth a couple of hours on a sunny afternoon in town, it costs nothing to enter too, which is all thanks to the endowment that Soanes left for future generations, an all round decent geezer I reckon!

I mean what's not to like about an authentic 18th century dining and reception room, untouched for over 200 years!