Bank of England Museum

Our new exhibition is finally here - 'Building the Bank' at the Bank of England Museum is open now. 🏗️🏛️ Step inside the story of one of London’s most iconic buildings. This brand new exhibition will uncover the fascinating transformation of the Bank of England’s Threadneedle Street home 100 years after it was rebuilt in 1925. ✨ The Bank's building is a blend of influences. Ancient Greek and Roman symbolism has been reinterpreted by both the Bank’s original architects of the 1700s, and the artists and craftspeople of the 1920s. The building itself is a landmark within the City of London, decorated with symbolism that proclaims its purpose. The last 100 years have brought technological changes that have transformed the way the Bank works, here in London and at the Bank’s other locations around the country. But the Threadneedle Street site remains a central meeting point and treasury: come with us to explore the architectural and artistic significance of this remarkable building. 🏦 The exhibition is free to enter, and the Museum is open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. We'll also be open through 20 and 21 of September as part of Open Heritage Days. Plus, join us for our museum late on 18 September to celebrate the debut. Come and explore the fascinating transformation of the Bank's headquarters, from the ancient archaeology beneath the site to the intricate sculptures on top. 📜 Archive references: Slide 1 - 15A13/1/2/69 Slide 3 – 15A13/1/3/25 Slide 6 – 15A13/1/3/2/11 (4 of 5) Slide 8 – 15A13/1/3/69 19Slide 1 - 15A13/1/2/69 #BOEMExhibition #BOEMuseum #BuildingTheBank #ArchitecturalHistory #LondonArchitecture #NewExhibition #BuildingHistory

For this week’s #BanknoteMonday, we’re spotlighting the lions that have prowled across Bank of England banknotes 🦁💷 Animals have long shaped Britain’s visual identity - and with the news that the public's preferred theme for the next series of banknotes was nature, today we're taking a moment to look back at one of the Bank's most enduring wildlife symbols. 🌿 From the high medieval period, English royal heraldry embraced lions as emblems of strength and sovereignty. By the 1200s, the symbol was firmly embedded at court - Henry III is even recorded as having owned three lions, helping cement the motif in royal display and popular imagination. Medieval Londoners could encounter real big cats too: the royal menagerie - often called England’s first “zoo” - moved to the Tower of London in the 13th century and kept lions for centuries. The Bank has its own connection to lions - you’ll find the commanding creatures worked into the very fabric of our Threadneedle Street building, from the Bank's brass doors to Boris Anrep’s entrance hall mosaic, where lions guard a pillar of gold; all motifs which spoke to the UK’s national character! Swipe to see three lion cameos on our notes, including: - £5 Series B (slide 3) - £10 Series C (slide 6) - an unissued proof design for the £5 note, designed by Stephen Gooden (slide 8) Looking ahead, Series H will celebrate UK wildlife shaped by public input, with a follow up consultation this summer to help choose specific species. For the latest updates and to get involved, head to @BankOfEngland .

Faces of a Reign: Queen Elizabeth II on Banknotes 👑 For today's #BanknoteMonday we're reflecting on the changing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as she appears on British currency. From Series C to Series F, these notes trace an evolution of design from 1960 to 2007. 💷 ➡️ Swipe through to see how her image has appeared on Series C, D, E, and F. Across these notes, you'll notice subtle shifts in her attire - from the robes of the Order of the Garter to different diadems worn over the years. Each portrait is framed by distinct colour palettes and design styles, reflecting the era in which the note was issued and the evolving aesthetics of banknote engraving. 💂 And #DidYouKnow ? Today marks the anniversary of the late Queen’s passing. Join us as we honour her legacy through the evolving design and portraiture of British banknotes. #CurrencyCollecting #BOEMuseum #Numismatics #HistoryInYourHands #DesignThroughTime #MuseumHeritage #OnThisDay #BOEMCollection #QEII #QueenElizabeth #QueenElizabethII #TheQueen

Have you heard? New in the Museum: 'The Chitra Collection - At the Tea Table' 🫖 'At the Tea Table' brings together extraordinary teapots and tea wares from the Chitra Collection, from gleaming silver to finely worked ceramics. Seen here in situ, these objects explore how tea travelled across the world and into everyday life in Britain, shaping habits, taste and design along the way. On display at the Bank of England Museum for a limited time - and free to visit! 🏛️ Bank of England Museum, Bartholomew Lane, London ⏰ Open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday And if you fancy seeing it after hours, join us for a special Museum Late inspired by the exhibition. Come along in the evening, explore the gallery and hear more about the making of a national drink. Booking and more information via the link in bio. @NewbyTeas @Tea.Museum @CheapsideBA @TheCityofLDN

Next month: Building the Treasury: a lunchtime talk 🪙🏛️ The Bank of England Museum’s current exhibition tells the story of the rebuilding of the Bank in 1925 – but what do we know about the history of the buildings occupied by the Treasury? [In the event that online bookings for this event have sold out, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity.] This is a history that is full of surprises. HM Treasury, despite being one of the oldest institutions of the British state, does not occupy its own purpose-built offices. Since the 17th Century, the Treasury has repeatedly moved around Whitehall, London and more recently the rest of the UK – usually in response to unexpected events like fires, wars and pandemics. Despite this, both the institution and its people – including some of its most famous former staff – have remained incredibly flexible and resilient. In this talk Mario Pisani (Co-Chair of the Treasury History Network) explores how 350 years of Treasury buildings have contributed to the unique character of the institution. @UKHMTreasury @RoyalMintUK

How does our new display connect a famous painting to the trade of tea? 🫖🖼️ New in the Museum’s Stock Office, ‘At the Tea Table: the Making of a National Drink’, this free exhibition explores the development of tea as a commodity in connection to global trade. Featuring objects from the exquisite Chitra Collection, find out how a once rare and costly import from Asia became woven into the fabric of British life. 🏛️ Now on view until 29 May at the Bank of England Museum, Bartholomew Lane, London – open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Can’t make it during the day? Join us for our late event on Thursday 21 May, 5.15pm to 8pm. Book tickets via the link in our bio.

Join Alan D Murray MBE, British Sign Language guide and lecturer from the Deaf community, for a Deaf-led tour of our current exhibition, Building the Bank. Deaf visitors will learn about 300 years of architectural history, beginning with the Bank's original premises in the City of London, up to the current Threadneedle Street site today. The tours will be free to attend, but registration is required. To confirm attendance, please contact us at [email protected] . If you are planning to bring a companion, please indicate this to us here as well. Alan D Murray MBE is a Deaf British Sign Language user who works as a trainer and consultant. With a lifelong passion for arts, culture, history, heritage and science, he is strongly committed to making the arts accessible to everyone. This drives his work delivering guided tours and talks in BSL, helping to remove barriers and widen access for Deaf BSL users across London. Essential information: - The tour will last approximately 60 minutes. - Registration is required for this event. To confirm attendance, please contact us at [email protected] . If you are planning to bring a companion, please indicate this to us here as well. - This tour will be conducted in British Sign Language and is designed for members of the Deaf community and their companions. If you would like to attend a spoken tour of the exhibition, we recommend joining us for a curator-led tour. - The event is free to attend, but booking is required. Please note there is airport-style security at the Museum's entrance. - For access information, visit our Museum's accessibility page. @inclusiveactivitiesUK @disabilityarts @AccessAdvisr @Diversability @AccessableUK @AccessibleJourneys @TourismforallUK

Ticket drop - The Suffragette Surgeon: a lunchtime talk* | Tuesday, 16 June, 1pm to 2pm 🥼💶 Discover the remarkable story behind Flora Murray, the woman on the Scottish £100 banknote, with best-selling author Wendy Moore. 🗣️🏛️ *In the event that online bookings for this event have sold out, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity. When war broke out in 1914 women doctors offered their services to the British Army – but they were told to “Go home and sit still”. Flora Murray and Louisa Garrett Anderson refused to sit still. Both qualified doctors and suffragettes – and also life partners – they took a team of women doctors and nurses to Paris. Their hospital was so successful that the army asked them to run a major military hospital in the heart of London. Essential information: - The event is free to attend, but booking is required. - The talk will take place in the Museum's Learning Space, which is located at the back of the Museum adjacent to the Rotunda. A staff member at the Information Desk can advise on how to get there from the entrance. - The talk will begin at 1pm. Please ensure you arrive promptly to the Museum's Learning Space for this time. Please note, there is airport-style security at the Museum's entrance. - We cannot guarantee admittance if you are late for the talk, even if you have booked a ticket. - If you were unable to book a ticket, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity. Otherwise, consider signing up to our newsletter; all our subscribers receive early access tickets for our events. - Seating is unallocated, unless stated otherwise. We encourage arriving to the Learning Space at 12.45pm to get a good seat. - For access enquiries, visit our Museum's accessibility page.

Introducing, 'Alchemy' - a new installation landing in the Museum this June 🏛️ Acclaimed designer Melek Zeynep Bulut presents her inaugural London Festival of Architecture installation at the Bank of England Museum. The installation meditates on the theme of 'alchemy', the forerunner to modern chemistry, and the Bank of England's historic role as gold custodians. The installation will be joined by a number of related events, including a new walking tour, 'The Alchemical City', as well as lunchtime talks and a Museum late. For more information, visit our What's On page (link in bio).

No generational war in the comments allowed 🙅 🖼️ A royal portrait of William III, c. 1690-94, painted by Godfrey Kneller. 💛 The Bank of England Museum gold bar interactive - which you can try lifting! 🩶 A caryatid from Sir John Soane's original Bank of England building 🔱 Britannia as pictured on the Series C 10 Shillings note 🏛️ Bank of England exterior, as viewed from Threadneedle Street 🖥️ Melted IBM Computer from 1986 fire Inspired by @TransportforLondon

Next week: Join economist and author Ha-Joon Chang as he dives into the world of food, international trade, and tasty economics. 🫖 'Tea, Beef, and Free Trade: a lunchtime talk'. Booking required. 🏦 Bank of England Museum, Bartholomew Lane, London ⏰ 14 May, 1pm to 2pm *In the event that online bookings for this event have sold out, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity. Discover the links between your favourite foods and the intricacies of global trade through this bite-sized presentation. As part of our tasty programme offerings during May, we are pleased to invite Professor Ha-Joon Chang as a guest speaker at one of our popular lunchtime talks. Economist and 'Edible Economics' author Ha-Joon brings his exploration of the intersections between food, tea, and international trade to this exciting talk at the Museum. Essential information: - The event is free to attend, but booking is required. - The talk will take place in the Museum's Learning Space, which is located at the back of the Museum adjacent to the Rotunda. A staff member at the Information Desk can advise on how to get there from the entrance. - The talk will begin at 12.30pm. Please ensure you arrive promptly to the Museum's Learning Space for this time. Please note, there is airport-style security at the Museum's entrance. - We cannot guarantee admittance if you are late for the talk, even if you have booked a ticket. - If you were unable to book a ticket, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity. Otherwise, consider signing up to our newsletter; all our subscribers receive early access tickets for our events. - Seating is unallocated, unless stated otherwise. We encourage arriving to the Learning Space at 12.15pm to get a good seat. - For access enquiries, visit our Museum's accessibility page.

Introducing ‘At the Tea Table: the Making of a National Drink’ 🫖🏛️ Something new has landed in the Museum’s Stock Office: in stunning collaboration with the Chitra Collection and Newby Teas, the Bank of England Museum hosts a limited-time display uncovering how tea, once a rare and costly import from Asia, became woven into the fabric of British life. 🔍 The exhibition runs from now until 29 May, and is completely free to visit (as well as our entire Museum) Learn more about related events via our ‘What’s On’ page (link in bio), including our monthly late event. @thecityofldn @cheapsideba