Last week was #MuseumWeek, when museums, galleries and cultural institutions across the world (and of course, London) went on Twitter to reveal their secrets.
We gave you a heads up on which London venues were worth a follow. If you missed it, here's a quick rundown of some of London's juicier secrets which were revealed.
Charles Dickens wasn't happy when his clock stopped working
And he wrote a letter to let the company which had cleaned it know.
The letter that Dickens wrote when his clock stopped working still amuses our visitors. #heritageMW pic.twitter.com/g2gRtK1Dka
— Dickens Museum (@DickensMuseum) March 31, 2016
The British Museum was the first national public museum
The Museum opened to visitors in 1759, the first national public museum #heritageMW https://t.co/qZXjfF7tpv pic.twitter.com/o18J1cVjwG
— British Museum (@britishmuseum) March 31, 2016
The British Museum has beehives on its roof
As does the National Portrait Gallery.
Did you know we have rooftop beehives? Several members of staff volunteer as beekeepers #peopleMW pic.twitter.com/GvVGHAX56e
— British Museum (@britishmuseum) March 29, 2016
The V&A was home to the world's first museum restaurant
The Gamble Room, originally known as the Refreshment Room, was the world's first museum restaurant. #ArchitectureMW pic.twitter.com/fAv0LXDHNQ
— V&A (@V_and_A) March 30, 2016
The V&A was once used as a canteen for a nearby RAF training college
The V&A was used as a canteen for the RAF training college located in the @sciencemuseum and @NHM_London. #SecretsMW pic.twitter.com/fhw8KU7uTF
— V&A (@V_and_A) March 28, 2016
National Gallery's sculptures were originally designed for Marble Arch
The sculptures on the Gallery's façade were originally designed for Marble Arch & include a camel. #ArchitectureMW pic.twitter.com/B94AQ0GR2D
— National Gallery (@NationalGallery) March 30, 2016
The Bank of England only actually owns two gold bars
The only two gold bars the BoE actually owns are in the Museum (inc one you can hold) #secretsMW #MuseumWeek (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Qbi2LlQkgW
— BankofEngland Museum (@boemuseum) March 28, 2016
Parts of Fulham Palace date back to 1494
The hidden timber roof above our Great Hall is the oldest part of the Palace dating to 1494 #MuseumWeek #secretsMW pic.twitter.com/kl09Qtx7Pk
— Fulham Palace (@Fulham_Palace) March 28, 2016
The Cutty Sark's figurehead is named after a poem
Nannie is named after a witch in Robert Burns's poem Tam O Shanter.
Nannie (figure head of @Cutty Sark) holds a horses tail in reference to Burns's poem #zoomMW https://t.co/JOlJtCrcdN pic.twitter.com/3UNuIkOPGZ
— Nat. Maritime Museum (@NMMGreenwich) April 2, 2016
