Trip to England/France

Poststructural Pub
1

Tomorrow evening, my wife and I hop a plane for London. We’ll be
there for a few days, then in Paris for four days. We’ll mostly be doing
the touristy thing and museum hopping. I was wondering, are there
any museums in either of these cities which have dedicated space for
old instruments? The Met in NY had such a section, and I thought
about seeing a European version if I can.

Also, I would welcome any other music-related siteseeing
recomendations (though we have a pretty tight schedule, sadly).

Thanks, all!

2

There is a Musical Museum near Kew Bridge Station, though they focus on self-playing instruments. Nearly opposite is a pub called Captain Morgan’s, where they have a session on Thursday evenings.

http://www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/

I’d ring them before going along there, because I pass the site fairly often and it looks dead from the outside.

There’s also a Musical Museum at the Royal College of Music:

http://www.touruk.co.uk/london_museums/musicalinstruments_museum1.htm

That’s about it for dedicated Musical Museums.

Beth and I would have loved to meet up, but we’re off to Dorset tomorrow night, so we’ll be away the very time you’re in London! :frowning:

If you’re near the Tottenham Court Road/ Oxford Street Junction, pop into Hobgoblin Music in Rathbone Place - perhaps the only place in London you can buy “folk” instruments off the shelf, though they are pricey for some things.

Have a great time in London and Paris! :smiley:

3

Not exclusively devoted to musical instruments, but has suitably “ethnic” instruments in its collection: the new Musée du Quai Branly
http://timescorrespondents.typepad.com/charles_bremner/2006/06/president_chira.html

It may in time become known as the Musée Chirac, but for me it’s already the Musée branlot.

4

Cool, thanks guys!
Sorry we’ll miss you, Martin. It would have been neat to meet you folks.

Is that the college next to the Victoria & Albert and Natural History Museums?
I think we’re planning on heading that way one day.

5

It’s certainly in that area - nearest tune High Street Kensington.

Yup, we like to meet Chiffers coming to London, and giving them a friendly face and a British welcome, plus the Milmar patented short stroll round the Capital. :sunglasses:

Next time!

6

Hobgoblin just north of Oxford street used to have a small collection of antique instruments. They’ve recently remodeled and I don’t know if they still have them, but it’s a nice place to visit anyway if you like instrument shops.

7

How’s that one go, Martin? I’m looking for new repertoire. :laughing:

8

And if you ever get to Dublin, the equivalent is the flanum patented Guinness tour. Highly recommended! :slight_smile: