London Museum

London Museums

The British compulsion to collect artifacts means that Britain has the best museums in the world - we had a whole empire to plunder. Below is a shortlist of things that our guides and surveys of visitors rate the highest, but whatever your interest, from 17th Century fans, to fan engines, there's a museum specifically catering to your taste. And virtually all of them are free....

An extremely thorough government-funded guide to museums (albeit with the sole intention of tempting you inside) is HERE. It paints everything a bit rosier than it really is - many of the museums mentioned aren't really worth visiting, but you'd never find out from the website.

Commercial tourist attractions such as Madame Tussauds and The London Dungeon are on our Attractions page

The British Museum:



Back from a substantial refit and better than ever, the best museum in the world where 4000 year old Pharoahs enjoy a busier afterlife than they planned for and where Karl Marx meets Buddha. Conveniently situated north of Covent Garden, on Great Russell Street, and just east of Oxford Street's main shopping drag. Remember to visit the reading room - in which, due to the numbers of tourists it is now impossible to read. The African collection, newly re-opened, is the world's largest (and the best in terms of range and quality) with over 200,000 objects, of which 600 pieces are on show to the public at any one time. If you are a collector or researcher you can make an appointment to see the rest. Saturday - Wednesday 10.00-17.30, Thursday - Friday 10.00-20.30. Free.

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Sir John Soane's Museum

A miniature British Museum. You can visit it as part of one of our walks (which includes the Inns of Court and the Masonic Temple) that links some of London's most beautiful and least known sights. So full of objects that every bit of wall and ceiling is used. Great collection of Hogarth prints and friendly curators full of great anecdotes. Hidden panels reveal even more paintings. Tuesday to Saturday 10.00-17.00. Free.


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The Natural History & Science Museums

Beware the dinosaursThere's a high concentration of museums in South Kensington (well signposted from the tube) and these two are great for a rainy day. Kids love them. They celebrate the Victorian's love of Science and Nature - many of the machines that changed history are here - Britain has been the world's powerhouse of science - the Computer, the Fax, the WWW, the jet engine, the train, the television, Penicillin, the list is endless. But Tyrannosaurus Rex puts man in his place. The Natural History Museum is a beautiful building in itself - if you had to visit one museum here it's a tough decision: either the animatronic dinosaur for Jurassic Park fans, or the bells and whistles of the Science museum - better to briefly visit both as they're free.


The Science Museum's new Wellcome wing is simply astounding. It's right up to the minute - if a breakthrough is made, they'll have an exhibit up and running in as little as 24 hours. There's a team of scientists on hand conducting real experiments in which you can be a subject, if you wish - the first team took swabs from people's mouths and a photo to match facial shape with their genes. We think this vies with the Tate Modern as the best new addition to London's art/museum scene. Both open every day 10.00 to 18.00, (Natural History opens at 11:00 on Sundays). Free.

World Museum

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, KANCHIPURAM

Address:
Curator, Government Museum,
44/117,M.M. Avenue,
Kanchipuram–631 501

Kanchipuram, one of the seven holy cities of India, is situated 75 km south-west of Chennai. It was the seat of both the Pallavas and the Cholas, and is the best place for studying South Indian antiquarian remains. Saivism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism and Jainism have their influence here and justify behind their traces as distinct temples and monuments. The Sangam poet Kadiyalur Vuruthirnkannanar, In the Perumpanatrupadai has described Kanchipuram as a lotus bud surrounded by a circular fort. Several epigraphical records, inscriptions are available, which throw light on the history of ancient kings such as Pallavas, Cholas, Pandavas, Telugu Cholas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagar kings, Muslim and English rulers. As one more jewel to the crown of the city, the Kanchipuram Government Museum was dedicated to the public in 1999.

The Museum display archaeological, anthropological, geological, botanical, zoological and numismatic materials of importance. The Introductory Gallery display the photos of important monuments and places of interest found in the district along with a detailed map. Any visitor who visits the Museum can get a comprehensive picture of the historical and cultural aspects of Kanchipuram and also understand about the natural resources and life of the people.

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(Vishnu Stone Sculpture 17th Century AD)

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, KANNIYAKUMARI

Address: Curator, Government Museum,
Gandhi Mandabam Road,
Kanniyakumari- 629 702

The Museum was opened to the public in 1991.

Bronzes belonging to 15th Century AD such as Tirumangai Alwar, Manickavasakar, Rama, Nataraja and stone sculptures of 7th Century AD (Vishnu), East India Company coins, musical instruments, arms, tribal materials are the exhibits of special mention.

A good collection of marine exhibits and dioramic representation of Natural History specimens attract the visitors.

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(Rock with Jain Sculpture Aiwarmalai)

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, KARUR

Address:
Curator,
Government Museum,
Daily Market Complex,
Karur Bus Stand,
Karur – 639 001.

The Museum was opened to the public in 2000. The specimens include bronze items, metal-ware objects, musical instruments, coins, rocks and minerals, fossils, botanical specimens, molluscan shells, and other marine specimens.

The educational activities of this Museum include Guide service, popular lectures etc.

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Government Museum Chennai

District Museums

District Museums are multipurpose Museums like the Central Museum at Chennai. District Museums are established to preserve the cultural, artistic, natural and scientific objects for the benefit of the public. Twenty District Museums are functioning under the Department of Museums. The District Museums in addition to the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage, entertains the visiting public providing enjoyment and extend educational activities. Popular Lectures, Training Courses, Seminars, Competitions, Exhibitions, Research Guidance, Outreach Programmes, Organised Tours etc., are some of the educational activities of the District Museums.
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GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, COIMBATORE

Address:

Curator,
Government Museum,
Kaleeswarar Nagar, Kattur,
Coimbatore 641 009.

The Museum was established in 1990. The collection include objects of Archaeology, Anthropology, Numismatics, Art, Pre-history, Geology, Botany and Zoology. Of these the following exhibits merit special mention due to their rarity and uniqueness:

Mesolithic stone tools, calcimined bone remains of both animals, human beings acquired through scientific field exploration from Vannathankarai site near Thakkalur - Kamanayakkanpalayam via Avinashi.

Woodcarvings (18th Century AD.), acquired from the Avinashilingeshwarar temple cars as gift from the temple authorities concerned.

Bronze icons of Navaneetha Krishna (13th Century AD.); Hanuman with Vishnu features (18th Century AD.) and Chandrasekhara with folk elements (19th Contrary AD.) acquired through theTreasure-trove Act of 1878. (Stone Sculpture Mother
Goddess Seated on a Cattle 10th century AD.)

Stone sculptures of a mother goddess seated on a cattle (18th Century AD.), a hero fighting with a panther / tiger by means
of a muzzle loaded gun (16th Century AD.) and Daksha (wih ram head) worshipping Vishwarupa Veerabhadra (13th Century AD.), acquired as a treasure-trove find, scientific exploration and gifting respectively.

Inscribed stone slabs containing the details of commercial
guild of Veerarajendra Chola period, acquired through
scientific field exploration find place in this Museum. Stone
Sculpture Mother Goddess Seated on a Cattle 10th century AD.

Tribal artifacts of Irula, Kadar, Malagar and Muduvar
acquired through both scientifc field exploration and gifting.

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(Devi Bronze 14th Century AD.)

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM,CUDDALORE

Address:

Curator,
Government Museum,
19, Hospital Road,
Cuddalore – 607 001.

The Government Museum, Cuddalore was established in the year 1989. A Sculpture Garden in the Museum welcomes the visitors. In this sculputure garden Sivalinga, Nandhi, Vishnu, monkey scuptures, Narashima, Surya and Chandikeswara are displayed. The development of Tamil script, dinosaur model and a model of Kali sculpture made of Fibre glass are kept in the entrance of the building.

The stone sculptures like Subramanya, Surya, Navanitha
Krishna, Dakshinamurthi, Bhairava, Virabhadra, and
Saptamatrika sculptures are best examples to the sculptural wealth of our ancestors. Bronze images of Ganesa, Vishnu, Nataraja, Somaskanda, Krishna are displayed in the Bronze Gallery.

In the first floor Kattunaickkan Tribal materials, Stone
Age tools, Musical Instruments, Agricultural implements of Kalvarayan hill tribes are displayed.

Natural History specimens include South Indian Timbers,
Fibres, Swan, Bear, Lizard and Snakes. Wood fossils and Ammonite fossils are also on display.

This Museum collection represents history, culture, flora
and fauna of the district. Imparting knowledge to researchers, students and public through popular lectures, exhibitions
and training programmes form part of educational activities.

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GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, ERODE (Dakshinamurthi Erode District. 12th Century AD.)

Address:

Curator,
Government Museum,
Municipal Office Campus,
Erode – 638 001.

The Museum was opened to the public in 1987. The important exhibits are inscription of Kongu Chola, hero stones from Bargur, Tanjore paintings, manuscripts, coins, geological objects, Kodumanal antiques and other pre-history items. It has both botanical and zoological specimens also. The Museum is known for its collection of palm-leaf manuscripts and coins.

Types of Flowers

Types of Flowers

Florists often use a wide variety of flowers when creating an arrangement. Normally, a bouquet will consist of the featured or main blooms, and an assortment of filler flowers to accent the main blooms. Florists often try to explain what certain flowers look like to their customers over the phone, but this can be a difficult process.

Below, we have listed 39 flowers which florists often use to help you understand the common types of flowers which are sent when you buy flowers.

Alstroemeria Friendship	Amaryllis Splendid beauty	Anemone Anticipation	Anthurium Hospitality
Aster Patience	Birds of Paradise Joyfulness	Bouvardia, Double Enthusiasm	Carnation Pride and beauty
Chrysanthemum, Cushion Fidelity	Chrysanthemum, Daisy Fidelity	Chrysanthemum, Standard Fidelity	Daffodil Chivalry
Delphinium, Hybrid Heavenly	Freesia Innocence	Gladiolus Strength of character	Heather Admiration
Hyacinth Constancy	Hydrangea Heartfelt	Iris My compliments	Larkspur Levity
Lilac Youthful innocence	Lily, Asiatic Majesty	Lily, Oriental Majesty	Lisianthus Outgoing
Orchid, Cymbidium A belle	Orchid, Dendrobium A belle	Orchid, Oncidium A belle	Orchid, Phalaenopsis A belle
Peony Bashful	Protea, King Daring	Queen Anne's Lace Sanctuary	Ranunculus Radiant
Rose Love	Snapdragon Desire	Statice Remembrance	Stock Lasting beauty
Sunflower Pure thoughts	Sweet Pea Delicate pleasure	Tulip Declaration of love