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5. Spencer House
Tucked away in a quiet St James’s cul-de-sac, Spencer House is a stately nod to the English class-system of yesteryear. With no signage announcing its past or purpose, it’s small wonder that few people ever enter its imposing doors but it is, in fact, open to the public on Sunday mornings and, as one of the few remaining examples of an English aristocratic house in existence today, it’s well worth a visit. Take note of the two distinct architectural styles employed on the upper and lower floors – this is the byproduct of the original architect, whose style was Roman, being kicked off the job to make way for a hot new talent, whose middle nickname was ‘Athenian’. Ooooh those capricious aristocrats …
6. Wellcome Collection Museum
London is full of museums and galleries and, happily, many of them are free. For something a little left of centre, however, head to The Wellcome Collection – also free, it’s dubbed as a must-visit for the incurably curious. With health at its core, exhibitions here tend to take on the big questions surrounding science, medicine, life and art – often weird, often wonderful, sometimes macabre, frequently thought-provoking – but all absolutely guaranteed to spark your imagination. There’s a library and reading room for you to further ponder the big questions in peace, and a cafe and restaurant to refuel your brain cells when you’re done.
