Exploring the Fan Museum in Greenwich
Itโs been scorching hot in London over the last few weeks and whilst this pleases about 99 percent of the population, I fall into the one percent of people who cannot, for the love of God, handle heat.
Then it dawned on me – now would be an excellent time to visit the Fan Museum in Greenwich, and pay homage to the age-old cooling device!
Tucked metres away from the main street in Greenwich, the Fan Museum is situated on a residential street that is home to a row of beautiful Georgian houses. Its discreet and tasteful exterior probably makes it look more like a home than a museum.
When you’re planning your visit, remember that it’s not the most popular or well-signed museum in London so keep your eyes peeled.
Address:ย 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8ER.
How to get there: Located onlyย 5-8 minute’s walk from either Cutty Sark or Greenwich Station
Inside the Fan Museum
Upon entering the museum, and paying the ยฃ4.00 entrance fee, you will be welcomed inside and provided with a small information booklet about the content of each room.ย
On first impression, it feels like stepping back in time, or entering inside a small stately home, filled with beautiful objects and furniture.
There are a handful of rooms spread over two floors, but the collection holds a vast array of approximately 6000 fans from around the world and from throughout history.
Fans from around the world
There’s a sizeable range of hand-held fans in ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, peacock-feather and various fabrics.
The mother-of-pearl is particularly beautiful. In the past, only the rich and wealthy would have had to means to acquire one.ย However, I assume most of them were used for decorative purposes as opposed to a cooling down aid.
The fan was originally brought over to England from Japan, where they were, and still are, very much used by both males and females. But in England they were quickly adopted as a very feminine pursuit and popularly used by ladies in high society.
Hand-painted fans by Dali and Sickert
I was really surprised to find one fan that had been decorated with work by Dali and another byย Sickert.
Thereโs also lovely painting in the shape of a fan by Gauguin (pictured above) dating back from 1884. I discovered the fan’s shape provided inspiration for the Impressionists and Post Impressionists, although this is the only known example by Gauguin in the UK.
Exhibitions at the fan museum
The top floor is devoted to exhibitions which change three or four times a year, and the lower floor keeps the permanent display of fans. Some of them being considerably valuable and attention-worthy.
Current exhibitions are located on the upper floor and the one I saw detailed the relationship between fans and advertising.
I wouldnโt usually put these two things together, but historically fans were very important advertising tools.
Since fans were common accessories among the middle and upper class, they became a clever way to advertise brands, particularly for cigarette and alcohol companies. Whoever thought of that idea probably got a swift promotion!
You can imagine, all these men and women swanning around at all these fancy soirees and every so often you catch sight of a decorative fan depicting an exotic landscape with British Airways slapped across it in big letters! Soon enough a conversation begins about holidays and exotic places. Exactly what British Airways is hoping would happen. You have to admit, the target audience is spot on!
Feeling nostalgic
Walking around the fan museum made me think of a few of my own memories.
I will always remember the fan I received as a present when I visited Malaysia for the first time. I was seven years-old and it was gifted to me by a relative.
It was delicate and made of sandalwood, and along the panelling displayed an intricate floral carvings. I loved waving it around to reveal the design and to smell the aroma of sandalwood. At that age, I didnโt really understand that most things were made in a factory, so I imagined a little Chinese man carving and sanding down each panel on his worktable, a bit like a Chinese version of Mister Geppetto, Pinocchioโs maker lol.
Even the toilets are charming!
The museum is incredibly charming, so much so that even a trip to the toilet will make you smile. ย Yep, that’s right – the toilet!
It’s rather quaint, and on the back of the door it has a nicely written verse about fans:
I can’t tell you whether the same effort to detail has gone into the men’s toilets. You’ll have to find out!
If I had one criticism to make about the museum, it would to make it more interactive. For example, I think it would be great it include some demonstration fans. One that you could touch and play around with. There are the one to buy in the shop but that doesnโt really count.ย
Allowing visitors the opportunity to fan themselves with different styles and models of fans would add another dimension to the museum, in other words, it would add a bit more entertainment and jazz to the whole experience. It would make the museum more appealing for kids too.
Have afternoon tea at the Orangery
Once I had made my way around the museum I stepped into the Orangery for that anticipated afternoon tea and cake. The lovely trompe lโลil murals is a sight that will put a smile on anyoneโs face, and the tea and cake are surprisingly good value (a pot of tea only costs ยฃ1!). I have a feeling the Orangery is more popular than the museum so you should book a tablet if you plan to visit on a weekend to avoid disappointment.
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General information about the Fan Museum in Greenwich
Admission Fee: Adults ยฃ4, concessions ยฃ3. senior citizens & disabled free on Tue afternoons
Opening Times:ย Wed – Sat: 11am-5pm
Website: www.thefanmuseum.org.uk
Accommodation: โ Book your stay at a hotel in greenwich
Looking for more things to do in Greenwich?
To enjoy a full range of things to do and see in Greenwich, see these posts below:
Museum of the Month is a series where I share my experiences of visiting unique and often strange museums from around the world. My aim is to rebuff the notion that museums are boring. Join me on my quest!.
10 Responses
Believe me, I am in the 1% that loathes the retched heat we’ve had here in Reno lately! Phoenix I will take 70’s and a soft breeze every day. LOL…to the lobster costume! And just fyi…this male reader wasn’t dissuaded one iota from reading this post ๐ As long as there are those little sandwiches I would be fine with a cup of decaf tea. I loved the history of this and how they implemented advertising onto the fans. NO kidding on being an absolutely brilliant marketing idea! I have to tell you, you’ve always been a good writer. But, for me, it’s like your writing continues to improve exponentially every post!! I just finished and I felt like I was taken on whimsical journey with the history of fans! You are wonderful Shing and keep doing what you are doing! I will always be a huge fan and supporter ๐
The exhibition on advertising was a bit of a light-bulb moment for me! Very clever marketing idea!!
Thank you so much for the comment regarding my writing Mike, it’s very encouraging to hear! ๐
I’ve never been or even heard of this museum which, I have to admit, it’s very unusual. It doesn’t seem my kind of activity but it’s definitely something different from the usual sites.
Hi Franca! It’s one of London’s little gems! It’s not the kind of museum that will draw in all the crowds – I mean, how exciting can a collection of fans ever be?! But it’s very pleasant and quaint, especially when combined with afternoon tea.
A fan will do no good in scorching heat IMO. The more you work it, the more it pushes hot air onto your face! I’d love to have tea in the Orangery though.
Haha your technique must be all wrong!! ๐
As a Greenwich resident, I love this quirky little place!! I first heard about it after reading the same article about top London afternoon teas and rapidly got myself there to enjoy it – I really think it’s a real gem to the local area ๐
Hello fellow Greenwichite! (that doesn’t quite work does it?)
It’s a pretty little place, glad you agree it’s one of London’s lesser known gems ๐
This and other museums like it is one of the reasons London is a museum and culture leader in Europe. Where else can you find such fascinating, niche museums? Thanks for the tour.
Hi Frankie, it’s fab to hear you say London is a museum and culture leader in Europe – of course I agree with you! I really don’t think anywhere else compares, there are so many gems of this kind in London – I hope you come back soon to see more!