Visit to Sir John Soanes Museum

Friday 23^rd February 2018

Our visit to Sir John Soanes Museum was preceded by lunch at the Fields Bar and Kitchen in Lincoln’s Inn Fields who serve a delicious range of freshly made meals and excellent coffee.

We were glad that Hilary had reserved us tables as it is understandably popular despite being hidden among the trees at the centre of Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Just a 2 minute walk on to the museum where 19 of us enjoyed an insightful and fascinating talk on this curious place including both history and anecdote about the life and work of this influential 19^th Century architect.

We then explored his eclectic collection of art, artefacts and architectural experiments displayed over the 3 floors of the houses where he had lived and worked.

The highlight among many for me was seeing the originals of Hogarth’s Rake’s Progress displayed in the inventive picture room where he had constructed moveable planes to allow for changing displays as his collection outgrew the space.

Thanks to Hilary Andrews for arranging this event and introducing us to this hidden treasure, I for one will definitely return.

Vicki Garratt

(Click an image for a larger view)