Must-Visit Museums this Halloween (Part 3) – Museum of Curiosities
Peek through the open door and you’ll see a surreal world full of creepy creatures, skeletons, and odd art, many of which might be disturbing to some. And this was just the absinthe bar connected to The Victor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History
The real museum is under the bar in the basement and is even more bizarre.
Watch video here.
Welcome to the Wunderkammer
Photo: urban Adventurer
A narrow cast iron staircase leads to the basement to Museums of Curiosities. You descend to a rabbit hole where nothing makes a lot of sense; to a different world which is bizarre and sometimes even scarry but wakes up your curiosity and makes you wanting to discover more.
The space is small and narrow but is loaded with so many oddities that, if you really want to see everything, you could spend hours down there.
Occult Cabinet, Fairies, Dead Pets, Tribal Art and More
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Museum of Curiosities is divided into multiply sections, such as ‘Cabinet of Monsters’ that includes preserved animals in jars, while ‘Fairies, Mermaids & Giants’ section includes mummified fairies, the legbone of an Irish Giant, preserved remains of a mermen and more. ‘Magick & the Occult’ section includes a fully functioning Occult Temple, a jar of moles (yes, you read it right), Woodoo artefacts from West Africa, and an occult cabinet, just to name a few.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
There are countless of other sections and artefacts to discover, including erotic-themed paintings, artworks and photos, mummified pets, a large collection of butterflies, creatures of the deep sea and human hair, including Elvis Presley’s hair, the hair of a Titanic survivor and an 18th-century human scalp.
Absinthe Parlour & Cocktail Bar
Photo: Urban Adventurer
I would highly recommend not to leave the museum without trying one of their absinthe cocktails at their absinthe parlour. Museum of Curiosities’ absinthe parlour has the largest collection of traditionally made absinthes.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Order an absinthe fountain, sip one of their absinthe cocktails or bring home a bottled absinthe or tasting set from the bottle shop.
Interested in occultism and occult cocktails?
Then you might want to take a look around the museum’s mini shop, where absinthe glasses & spoons, books, – such as a signed copy of ‘A Grimoire of Occult Cocktails & Drinking Rituals’ – artefacts, prints and more are available to purchase.
Find their online shop here.
Practical Info
NOTE: Due to the adult nature of some of the exhibits (dead people, erotica) under 18s are only allowed before 5pm and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Address
Victoria Buildings, 11 Mare St, London E8 4RP
Ticket Price
Admission includes a free cup of tea on request
Admission is £10
Concessions – £6
Locals living within walking distance with proof of address may buy £6 tickets on the door
Tuesday discount
Discounted tickets are £5 on Tuesdays (walk-in only)
OR
£2.50 on Tuesdays (walk-in only) IF you order a drink at the bar
Opening Times
Tuesday – Friday 15:00-23:00
Saturday 12:00 – 23:00
Sunday 12:00-22:00
Ready for your next adventure? Do you think you could solve the hundred-year mystery around the identity of Jack the Ripper? Visit Jack the Ripper Museum.