Gold, banknotes and over 300 years of history! See our new exhibition, Slavery & the Bank. The Bank of England is the United Kingdom’s central bank.
It has a unique role in our economy, promoting the good of the people of the United Kingdom by maintaining monetary and financial stability. However our Museum is about much more than money! Discover the history of the Bank, its buildings, and the people who have shaped it over more than 300 years.
Operating as usual
From caricatures to Christmas cards, check out some of the cartoons in our collection in our latest blog. 🎅🎄
Read about some of the cartoons we hold in our collection, including artwork for Christmas cards.
Today the Bank of England unveiled the design of the King Charles III £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes. They are expected to enter circulation by mid-2024.
Queen Elizabeth II was the first monarch to appear on a Bank of England banknote, on a £1 note back in 1960. From 2024, King Charles III will be the second monarch to feature on our banknotes.
You can continue to use polymer banknotes with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Visit the link to learn more: https://b-o-e.uk/3v66S44
🎄 THURSDAY 🎄
Join us for a free and festive evening of bauble making, carols, mulled wine and treats! From 5 to 8pm, no booking needed.
Find out more:
Deck the halls with crafts and carols at our free Museum Late
🎄 Christmas Museum Late 🎄
📅: Thursday 15 December, 5 to 8pm
Looking for a unique way to decorate your Christmas tree? Come make a free bauble filled with shredded banknotes. Plus, enjoy carols and festive refreshments, including mulled wine and mince pies. 🎅
More info: https://b-o-e.uk/3UCQulG
For centuries, currencies have been defaced as acts of protest and reminders of conflict. Curator Richard Kelleher of the The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge explores money and protest in our most recent blog, in collaboration with their new exhibition .
Read our new blog now. 👇
Explore three highlights from ‘Defaced! Money, Conflict, Protest’, a major new exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
At the end of the First World War Bank staff decided how to remember their fallen colleagues. They commissioned this memorial in the Bank garden, endowed a hospital bed at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and arranged a special memorial service.
This Remembrance Sunday we remember all those who have served to protect our freedoms as well as the millions of others who have lost their lives in conflict.
Archive reference: 15A13/17/2/4 (LNA Photos)
These words from a poem called "In Flanders Fields" by the soldier John McCrae were regularly published in a Bank staff newsletter during the First World War.
John wrote this poem shortly after losing a friend in battle and seeing poppies grow in the battle-scarred fields.
71 members of Bank staff lost their lives in the Great War between 1914 and 1918.
The Armistice, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War, began at 11am in 1918. Armistice is Latin for “to stand (still) arms”.
Archive reference: PW1/1
The Lord Mayor's Show originally began in 1215 as a procession of the Lord Mayor to Westminster, where he swore loyalty to the monarch. These lovely prints from 1844 document the procession as it passes St Paul's Cathedral, and disembarking near Westminster Abbey.
Will you be joining us on Saturday 12 November for this year's ? We'll be open from 11am to 4pm with free face painting and family fun.
👉 https://b-o-e.uk/3hvcMIt
⭐ Free storytelling sessions for families ⭐
Last minute availability! Join us on Saturday 12 November for a free session combining storytelling, drama and role-play to bring to life a gold vault break-in. Part of our offerings for the Lord Mayor's Show.
Find out more. 👇
12 November: A weekend opening for Lord Mayor’s Show.
📣 Upcoming talk 📣
📆 Thursday 17 November, 6 to 7pm
Join Eleni Bide, librarian for the Goldsmiths' Company, for a free talk titled 'Glitter and elbow grease: a history of British goldsmithing through the archives of the Goldsmiths’ Company.'
Learn more 👇
17 November: Discover all things gold at this free evening opening.
is just around the corner! To celebrate, the Museum will be open 11am to 4pm on Saturday 12 November. 🎉
After the parade, visit our museum for a rare weekend opening! There will be free face painting and family fun.
Find out more: https://b-o-e.uk/3zuSkNO
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the museum will be closed today (Monday 31/10) and our Lunchtime Curator's Tour cancelled.
We apologise for any disappointment and hope you join us on one of our upcoming curator-led tours.
A free curator-led tour of Slavery & the Bank
New Blog ➡️ Lasting Legacies: Reminders of Slavery around the UK
Cities across the UK profited from Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Read our new blog to learn how this legacy is still visible in the UK today.
Learn about the legacy of slavery in Liverpool and Bath
Imagine digging into London's soil, and discovering a Roman mosaic! That's exactly what happened when the Bank was being remodelled in the 1920s. ⛏️
Want to learn more about archaeology and the Bank? Check out our blog.
📷: Bank of England Archive: 15A13/1/3/2/112
Find out about archaeological finds at the Bank of England
During , visit our exhibition to learn about the connections between transatlantic slavery and the economy.
From exhibition tours to talks, join us for one of our upcoming events. Find out more on our website. 👇
Explore the history of transatlantic slavery through its connections with the Bank of England
For our exhibition , researchers worked hard to discover new links between the Bank of England and transatlantic slavery. In our latest blog, researcher Dr Michael Bennett looks at the research that went into the exhibition. Read the blog at the link below.
A behind-the-scenes look at archival research carried out for Slavery & the Bank
Upcoming Talk: 20 October, 6-7 pm
Join our free talk with Dr Michael Bennett to hear about the findings of the ongoing archival research into the Bank of England’s links to transatlantic slavery between the 1600s and 1800s.
20 October: A free talk given by exhibition researcher Dr Michael Bennett for Black History Month
11-year-old Princess Elizabeth first visited the Bank of England in 1937. Both she and her grandmother Queen Mary signed £1,000 notes, as was customary for distinguished visitors. Over the years, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II visited the Bank of England nine times, and each time she marked her visit by signing a ceremonial note.
Queen Elizabeth II’s last visit to the Bank of England was in 2012, her Diamond Jubilee year. This time, to honour the occasion, she signed a million pound note.
In light of the period of national mourning now being observed in the United Kingdom, we have cancelled our Open House event tomorrow, 10 September, as well as our evening opening on Thursday 15 September.
We will be open during our regular hours (Mon-Fri 10am to 5pm) next week.
The Bank of England’s staff wish to express their heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, following news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
https://b-o-e.uk/3BsXKdM
Want to explore the legacy of transatlantic slavery with your family or students? Our new resource, made with The Economist Educational Foundation, can help you start meaningful conversations at home, school, or while visiting our exhibition, .
A resource for families and schools to talk about the transatlantic slave trade.
Join us for a rare weekend opening in celebration of ! Come along for a day full of free talks, walking tours and family activities. Open House
📆: Saturday 10 September from 11am to 4pm
More info 👇
We’re open on Saturday 10 September for Open House Festival
Amelia Newsham was a young enslaved albino woman brought to London in the 1750s as an object of scientific curiosity.
Discover the little-known story of Amelia's life in our newest blog, written by Dr Isabelle Charmantier of the The Linnean Society of London.
Read about the life of Amelia Newsham, a young enslaved albino woman in London
We had a great time last week on our free Roman London Family Quest with the and Guildhall Art Gallery and London's Roman Amphitheatre!
Will your family follow the centurion and discover Roman London this Wednesday, 17 August?
https://b-o-e.uk/3QNaHE6
a subterranean river runs right through the ? Trace the route of the lost River Walbrook with our free walking tour.
Spots are going fast, so book now! 👇
https://b-o-e.uk/3PUNYWA
Roman London Family Quest: 10 and 17 August
Calling all families! 📣 Did you know there are parts of Roman London that you can still see in the City of London today? Go back in time to AD 122 and experience the city as Hadrian saw it 1,900 years ago!
We've teamed up with London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE and Guildhall Art Gallery and London's Roman Amphitheatre for this day of . Follow a map and visit all three sites to complete your quests. Win prizes along the way!
Book your free slot today. 👇
A free Roman-themed day for families across the City of London.
📣 New blog alert! 📣
The City of London is the oldest part of London, which means no matter where you dig there's lots to be found. Read on as curator Jennifer Adam digs up some of our best archaeological objects. ⛏️🏺
👉 https://b-o-e.uk/3zHVkXE
Can't get enough of archaeology? Come to our next museum celebrating archaeological items in our collection!
👉 https://b-o-e.uk/3cNeeDt
Free talk: 'Humphry Morice - slave trader and embezzler of the Bank' by Dr Matthew David Mitchell
📅: Thursday 21 July, 6-7pm
Join Dr Matthew David Mitchell as he speaks about the life and career of Humphry Morice, former Director and Governor of the Bank of England and prolific slave trader.
Register by 18 July to join online or in person:
Dr Matthew David Mitchell will give a talk on slave trader and past Governor, Humphry Morice
In our latest blog, Dr Matthew David Mitchell of Sewanee: The University of the South writes about the life of Humphry Morice, slave trader and embezzler of the Bank.
Read his blog and sign up for his free talk on Morice, taking place on Thursday 21 July.
➡️ Blog: https://b-o-e.uk/3nyJQ1E
➡️ Talk: https://b-o-e.uk/3R4Fa1g
This rather convincing banknote is actually a forgery, made during the Napoleonic Wars (c. 1803 - 1815). It's dated to this day in 1796 and was worth £40, which is equivalent to over £3,000 today. 💸
This is one of several examples of forged notes in our collection that were made by the French in an attempt to weaken the British economy during that war. It is said that Napoleon had a factory for making forged banknotes of various currencies, including Bank of England banknotes.
It's been one year since the released the polymer £50 note featuring ! It also happens to be his birthday! 🎂
Learn more about Turing and the £50 note in our SMARTIFY guide!
Celebrate the issue of the new £50 note featuring the scientist Alan Turing. Take our tour and discover how Turing’s legacy inspired our latest polymer bankn...
One of our earliest examples of a Bank of England note was made on this day in 1697. Learn more about early banknotes in our blog! 👇
Our Collections and Exhibitions Manager, Miranda Garrett, delves into the history behind the oldest banknote in our collection.
The foundation stone for a new London Bridge was laid in 1825. Explore the many, many changes London Bridge has seen as the oldest river crossing in London! 👇
How does transport impact the economy?
Tune in this Thursday as curator Jennifer Adam teams up with Leeds City Museum to give a sneak peak looking inside the Bank of England. This free online talk is part of Leeds Museums and Galleries fab exhibition, Money Talks. 💸
Register now! 👇
https://b-o-e.uk/3x7sGg1
This June, we're taking part in the London Festival of Architecture! Join us on a free walking tour which explores 300 years of the Bank of England’s architectural history from its beginning in 1694 to its current building in Threadneedle Street.
Tours are free but space is limited and filling up quickly! Grab your spot now!
A walking tour celebrating the architecture of the Bank of England
A very happy to Her Majesty The Queen, who celebrates 70 years on the throne this weekend. 👑
To celebrate, we're looking back at The Queen's portrait on Bank of England banknotes throughout her reign. Read our latest blog to learn more!
Join our curator-led tours of our exhibition, Slavery & the Bank. Our lunchtime tours are free and drop in, with dates throughout the summer including 7 June, 16 June, and 29 June.
Find out more:
A free curator-led tour of Slavery & the Bank
Looking for this ? Come along to the museum Monday through Wednesday for drawing activities exploring the architecture of the Bank. Get hands on colouring the flowers, lions, and Roman mosaics found around our museum!
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#DidYouKnow a subterranean river runs right through the #CityOfLondon? Trace the route of the lost River Walbrook with our free walking tour. Spots are going fast, so book now! 👇 https://b-o-e.uk/3PUNYWA
The Bank of England has four mulberry trees in its Garden Court, which were given to the Bank as a gift 80 years ago. Our gardeners gave us a #BehindTheScenes look when pruning the trees this year. #UrbanTreeFestival
Can't we just print more money? Bank of England economists Rupal Patel and Jack Meaning have set out demystifying the economy in their new book. To celebrate the new book, Can't We Just Print More Money?, we're hosting a book launch on 19 May! 📚 Join us as journalist Tom Rowley leads a conversation with authors Jack Meaning and Rupal Patel. The event is free and can be attended online or in person. Visit our website for more information and to register 👉 https://b-o-e.uk/3LSNcHz
Slavery & the Bank is now open. Trace the connections of the Bank of England and the City of London to transatlantic slavery. Learn how the wealth created through slavery shaped the development of Britain. https://b-o-e.uk/37a1xA3
With a sunny weekend forecast in London, why not get outside and explore the places featured in #PictureTheCity? Find the sign, scan the QR code, and launch the exhibition! 🌞 Learn about the past and present of iconic spots in London, from Covent Garden London to Brunel Museum. Discover all of the locations on our website: https://b-o-e.uk/3IghRwe #LondonWalks #WalkingTour #LondonOutdoors #LetsDoLondon
With a sunny weekend forecast in London, why not get outside and explore the places featured in #PictureTheCity? Find the sign, scan the QR code, and launch the exhibition! 🌞 Learn about the past and present of iconic spots in London, from Covent Garden London to Brunel Museum. Discover all of the locations on our website: https://b-o-e.uk/3IghRwe #LondonWalks #WalkingTour #LondonOutdoors #LetsDoLondon
This #WorldSightDay, listen to our new audio description of Operation Bernhard, Nazi Germany's attempt to flood the UK economy with counterfeit banknotes! Check out a preview below, or the whole track in the link. 👉 https://b-o-e.uk/3aC6LCP Our museum has a growing list of audio described objects from our collection. What audio descriptions would you like to hear next? #WSD #WorldSightDay2021 #WSD2021
We often get asked if the Bank of England is haunted! According to many, the answer is...yes! 👻 It's #AskACurator day and we're answering your questions about the Bank of England Museum! Join us on Twitter to pose your questions to Curator Kirsty Parsons and Collections Officer Ellie Paton!
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