The Bank of England Museum

Visit the Old Lady of Threadneedle St.

If you are passing through the City why not go and visit the Old Lady for a couple of hours. Or more specifically the Bank of England museum in Bartholomew Lane, just off Threadneedle St. It is not exactly shy and retiring so you can’t miss it. And why should it be shy with such a story to tell.

This museum is not only interesting, highly educational and informative but it is also both absorbing and compelling. If you think that this is just another story of a fusty old bank think again. From the moment I passed through the metal detectors I was bombarded with fascinating minutiae of all elements of the Bank of England’s history and heritage delivered in a series of sub-plots over several different media. The story is both contemporary (well articulated in plain speak with the monetary policy exhibition) and historic (charting the relationship between inflation and interest rates) since the bank’s inception. There are some wonderful insights into the hows, whys and wherefores of the banking system backed up with some incredible artefacts on display. You can even lift a bar of gold if you have had your Weetabix.

I was treated to an engrossing history of the bank’s earlier years, the Napoleonic years, the detail of the Uk’s bank-notes all the way through to modern era. There’s plenty of precious metals on view with gold and silver bars, ingots and tokens to take the interest. I could have stayed all day but had to restrict my visit to an all-encompassing 2 hours.

Entry to the museum is free and well worth visiting the city solely to go to this marvellous place. And why is the popular nickname of 'The Old Lady' for the Bank of England so called. Well it actually comes from an iconic cartoon by James Gillray published on 22 May 1797. Entitled 'Political Ravishment or The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street in danger', it was drawn three years after France had declared war on Britain. For those with a sponge like ability to absorb facts – you will not be disappointed

Evie The Scribbler

TripTide User