Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is a museum housed in Hertford House, a former townhouse in Manchester Square. It was established in 1897 from the private collection of Richard Seymour-Conway, 4th Marquess of Hertford, and his illegitimate son Sir Richard Wallace. The collection focuses on fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, with significant holdings of French 18th-century paintings, furniture, arms and armour, porcelain, and Old Master paintings arranged across 25 galleries. Entry to the museum is free. Visitors can explore an extensive array of artworks and objects in an elegant historic setting. Highlights include important French 18th-century decorative arts that rival collections in the Louvre and Château de Versailles. The museum also features arms and armour, which appeals to families and enthusiasts. As a condition of the bequest, objects rarely leave the collection, but recent changes now allow temporary loans. The Wallace Collection offers a serene indoor experience, perfect for a rainy day or a quiet solo visit.