Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Wallace collection
is something very special available to tourists for a few reasons.
First, it's a chance to see a private collection and some remarkable works of art, but it also
gives the public a look into how Britain's aristocracy and even royalty live.
You'll see works from the 18th and 19th centuries that were owned personally by the four
Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, son to the fourth.
A Marquess is a noble-
man in Britain, ranking higher than an earl and lower than a duke.
Manchester House was built between 1776 and 1788 for the fourth Duke of Manchester,
royalty. It was used as the Spanish Embassy at one point and had many parties in its time,
including the Allied Sovereigns' Ball, which was held after the defeat of Napoleon in 1814.
The last owner was Lady Wallace, widow to Sir Richard, who handed the home and its
possessions over to the public in 1897.
Though it's now set up like an art gallery, there are photos of the wall of how the house
once looked. The most popular painting here is "The Laughing Cavalier" by Frans Hals.
Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm. Website:
www.wallacecollection.org
.
3:30 pm -- Walk to the Sherlock Holmes House
•
Price:
FREE
•
Duration:
15 minutes
*Coming out of the Wallace Collection, you're going to exit Manchester Square opposite
the way you entered. So, with the Wallace Collection behind you, make a right, then a left
to stay on Manchester Square and a right on Fitzhardinge Street. Make a right onto Baker
Street and follow this to our next attraction.*
