Places of Interest
THE ROYAL COLLECTION; SUMMER OPENING OF THE STATE ROOMS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, CLARENCE HOUSE AND WINDSOR CASTLE.
Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Windsor Castle have superb collections of clocks that were formed during the reign of George III and George IV. Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother was also a keen collector and her clocks can be seen today in the ground floor rooms at Clarence House which is open during August for public and private tours. Windsor Castle is open all year round but check the website first and Buckingham Palace during the summer. Website: The Royal Collection
QUEENS GALLERY
Fine clocks are often included within their exhibitions throughout the year. The Royal Collection has one of the finest collections of antique clocks. For details visit https://www.rct.uk/visit/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace
THE WALLACE COLLECTION, HERTFORD HOUSE, MANCHESTER SQUARE, LONDON
A fine London Mansion devoted to the French decorative Arts of the 18th century and formed by Sir Richard Wallace in the 19th century. There is a superb collection of clocks from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Free admission and open Monday through to Sunday. See Website: The Wallace Collection
BRITISH MUSEUM, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, LONDON WC1B 3DG
An attractive gallery known as The Sir Harry and Lady Djonogly Galleries, consisting of a selection of early clocks and watches from the beginning of time to the 20th century. Open: Every day and no admission charge, telephone: 020 7323 8299 See Website: www.britishmuseum.org
ANGLESEY ABBEY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
A National Trust property which was formally the home of Lord Fairhaven who assembled a beautiful collection of 17th and 18th century clocks. A clock expert, Brian Johnson is usually there to answer any questions but we suggest a phone call first! See the National Trust website for more details
THE MUSEUM OF LONDON, BARBICAN, LONDON
This museum has everything one could wish for in regard to the history of this great city. Everything from the Romans to the present day and that includes clocks and watches. See their Website for more details
THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, CROMWELL ROAD, SOUTH KENSINGTON, LONDON SW7 2RL
This famous museum dedicated to the decorative arts has a fine collection of clocks and watches from the 17th and 18th centuries. There is also a new gallery recently opened to the public and it is known as the Dr Susan Weber Gallery for furniture. On display there is the James Cox ‘perpetual’ longcase clock Telephone: 0208 983 5200 See the Website for more details: www.vam.ac.uk
THE SCIENCE MUSEUM, EXHIBITION ROAD, SOUTH KENSINGTON, LONDON SW7 2DD
As above, this museum has a selection of clocks from all periods; Telephone: 0870 870 4868 see the Website for more details: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
The Science Museum also now houses the Clockmakers Museum which is an impressive collection of clocks and watches in an historic setting. The clocks are imaginatively arranged and cover the whole history of clock-making. For more details contact: Sir George White – keeper@clockmakers.org
THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROMNEY ROAD, GREENWICH, LONDON SE10 9NF
The name speaks for itself with ‘Greenwich Mean Time’, visit the royal Observatory and see examples of clocks by one of England’s most eminent clockmaker, Thomas Tompion. For opening times see Website: www.nmm.ac.uk Telephone: 020 8858 4422
THE DORSET COLLECTION OF CLOCKS, OWERMOIGN, NEAR DORCHESTER, DORSET
This is an unusual place to see a variety of English clocks. The opening times are: October to March – Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm and March to October, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. See the website or contact: contact@millhousecider.com
DUMFRIES HOUSE, CUMNOCK, AYRESHIRE, SCOTLAND
This superb house, once the home of the Earl of Dumfries was saved for the Nation in 2007 through the intervention of HRH The Prince of Wales. It contains a superb collection of Chippendale furniture together with a collection of antique clocks recently sourced from Raffety. See the Website; www.dumfries-house.org.uk for further details and opening times
FAIRFAX HOUSE, YORK
This pretty town house in the centre of York, designed by Carr of York in the mid-18th century is now the home of the Noel Terry Collection of classic 18th century English furniture, early clocks and barometers. See the website for current opening times.
BELMONT HOUSE, FAVERSHAM, KENT
Once the home of Lord Harris who formed a collection of 16th, 17th and 18th century clocks and watches in this beautiful Georgian house deep in the Kent county side. See the Website: www.belmont-house.org for current opening times. Telephone: 01795 890 202
WHIPPLE MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE – CAMBRIDGE
This very small museum is the home of a variety of English clocks and is open 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. Address: Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RH Telephone: 01223 330906 for more details
FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM CAMBRIDGE
This famous museum is the home of the decorative arts and boasts a fine collection of clocks. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 6 pm. See: www.fitzmuseum-enquiries@lists.cam.ac.uk for more details; Telephone: 01223 332900
THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM OF ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY
This delightful museum holds an interesting collection of clocks. Address: Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PH. Telephone: 01865 278000 See website: www.ashmolean.org for opening times
MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE
Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AZ which has an interesting and early collection of clocks from the medieval to the Renaissance and following towards the end of the 18th century. See the website: www.mhs.ox.ac.uk Telephone: 01865 277280
KENSINGTON PALACE
Kensington Palace which is under the administration of Historic Royal Palaces, was designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren for King William III and Mary II. It is a fine baroque palace with magnificent state rooms with ceilings painted by Verrio . This palace was once the childhood home of Queen Victoria and her rooms are as she would remember them and are open to the public. The palace covers a large area and part of it is home to other members of the Royal Family for example, Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. It was once the homes of the late Diana, Princess of Wales and the late Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. It is the latter’s apartment which will be the new residence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Kensington Palace is open throughout the year. www.hrp.org.uk
MUSEUM OF THE DUTCH CLOCK
Based in Zaandam, Netherlands, the collection holds a representative survey of Dutch clocks and watches dating from 1650-1850. The museum is open throughout the year. www.mnuurwerk.nl
MUSEUM SPEELKLOK
This museum is currently working with the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, Beijing to help them restore five clocks in the Palace Museum’s collections. This Utrecht museum has been described as the “most cheerful museum in the Netherlands.” Its collection includes clocks and musical automata. Open throughout the year. www.museumspeelklok.nl
THE DUTCH GOLD SILVER AND CLOCK MUSEUM FOUNDATION
This museum is in Schoonhoven, Netherlands, known as the “Silver town”. The museum has an impressive selection of Dutch and European clocks, including tower clocks, table clocks, pocket watches and longcase clocks. Open throughout the year. www.ngzkm.nl
PATEK PHILIPPE MUSEUM
This museum features the work of this famous watch maker, and traces 500 years of watchmaking history. Masterpieces of the clockmakers art ranging in date from the 16th up to the 21st century can be seen here. The museum is in Geneva, Switzerland and is open throught the year. www.patekmuseum.com
Museum of Timekeeping
Part of the British Horological Institute and based at Upton Hall, Main Street, Newark, NG23 5TE. A fine collection of working clocks, watches and timepieces. www.museumoftimekeeping.org.uk
National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors
West Dean College
Full time training in the restoration and conservation of clocks. www.westdean.org.uk
Horological Societies
THE BRITISH HOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE LTD
Upton Hall, Upton, Nottinghamshire, NG23 5TE, telephone: 01636 813 795 See the website: www.bhi.co.uk
The Journal of the British Horological Institute: HJ@BHI.co.uk
THE ANTIQUARIAN HOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
Magazine and published quarterly: Address: 4 Lovat Lane
London EC3R 8DT
HOROLOGICAL FOUNDATION
A not for profit horological society with strong Continental Dealer following. Website: www.antique-horology.org
Clock Magazine for Horological Collectors and Restorers
Horological books
Horological Book Publisher
www.mayfieldbooks.freeserve.co.uk
Trade Associations and their Useful Publications
BRITISH ANTIQUE DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION
21 John St, Holborn, London WC1N 2BF www.bada.org
BAFRA
The British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association is the foremost national organisation of craftspeople concerned with maintaining the highest standards of restoration within the field of antique furniture, fine art and clock conservation and restoration. To find an accredited restorer near you visit www.bafra.org.uk or call 01939 210826
NAWCC – NATIONAL ASSOCIATION WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS
514 Poplar Street, St Columbia, PA 175-12, USA Telephone: 001 717 684 826 Website: www.nawcc.org This is an association which encourages interest in the art and science of timekeeping
Barometric Pressure
The barometric pressure given on this website is in hectopascal (hPa). However, on most historical barometers the barometric pressure is calibrated in inches of mercury. To convert hectopascal as shown on this website into inches of mercury, simply multiply the hectopascal figure by 0.02953.
Repairs and Spares
Richards of Burton Suppliers of clock parts
Meadows and Passmore
Clock parts and tools. www.m-p.co.uk
H S Walsh and Sons Ltd
Clock parts and tools. www.hswalsh.com
Cousins
Clock parts and tools. www.clockspares.com
