Museums that used to be homes in Nostalgic London

The former house of celebrated 19th-century architect Sir John Soane is both a beautifully curated museum and a fascinating time capsule. At his request, the building has barely been touched since his death more than 180 years ago. Now, when you visit you can tour Soane’s private apartments as well as rooms packed full of assorted treasures he collected during his lifetime, such as statues, great art, furniture and 3000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagi. The house is open Wednesday to Sunday and it’s free to enter but you have to book in advance.