The first public built art gallery, founded in 1811, Dulwich Picture Gallery was frequented by both Van Gogh and Monet. 4th August, 2018 marks 145 years since Van Gogh’s first visit.
In 1897, 1 Cathedral Street (the building opposite Southwark Cathedral near to ginger pig) was the very first Banana Warehouse. Every single banana that came into London was stored in this warehouse before being distributed to wholesalers.
Built in 1912, the self supporting domed ceiling is the largest in Europe and hosted Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first public performance in 1968. The list of notable names which have frequented the venue includes Winnie Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Mikhail Gorbachev.
The first London venue to launch the annual spectacle of an outdoor ice-rink for the public and corporate guests to enjoy in 2000.
London Museum of Water and Steam
One of the reasons the Waterworks is so grand and beautiful, is because the standpipe tower was viewable from Kew Palace. As the Water board didn’t want the King and Queen at the time to have a poor view, they made the building grand- which is one of the reasons it’s such a popular wedding venue.
Legend has it that Charles Darwin’s face was carved in to one of the monkeys on the Hintze Hall balcony. Upon his return from the infamous voyage to Galapagos, Darwin adopted a pet Octopus, which now forms part of the many specimens in the museum’s stunning collection.
Hosted the world’s first bodybuilding competition, in 1901. The judge was none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!
Did you know the museum is the largest urban history collection in the world with more than 6 million objects? On a slightly more sinister note….the Museum of London roundabout contains the remains of 40,000 individuals all housed in the museum’s bone store.
The Lord Ashcroft gallery houses the world’s largest collection of Victoria Crosses, alongside a significant collection of George crosses. Here you can discover over 250 extraordinary stories of men, women and children who performed extraordinary acts of bravery to help other people in desperate need and who acted with courage and bravery.
The Elizabethan Hall hosted the first recorded performance of Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night” in 1602, with Queen Elizabeth I and Shakespeare himself in attendance! The high table is made from planks of a single oak that was a gift from Queen Elizabeth, felled in Windsor Forest and floated down the Thames.
Discover all that these fantastic venues have to offer by holding your next event with them!