Montagu House, Historic mansion in Bloomsbury, England
Montagu House was a mansion in Bloomsbury, London, featuring a seventeen-bay facade, two main floors, and a prominent mansard roof topped with a central dome. The building's design reflected the grand aspirations of its original owners.
Ralph Montagu commissioned the house between 1675 and 1680 based on designs by Robert Hooke. Following a fire in 1686, the building underwent complete reconstruction under French architect Pouget's direction.
The interior walls featured elaborate murals by Italian artist Antonio Verrio and decorative paintings by French artist Jacques Rousseau. These artworks made the house a showcase of fine craftsmanship and refined taste during its time.
The mansion served as the first home of the British Museum starting in 1759 and remained a significant London landmark for several decades. Visitors interested in museum history will find its role in the collection's early organization particularly noteworthy.
The building was demolished in the 1840s to make room for the British Museum's larger replacement structure. This demolition marked the end of an era when private aristocratic houses served as public repositories for growing collections.
Location: London Borough of Camden
Inception: 1675
Architects: Robert Hooke
GPS coordinates: 51.51932,-0.12693
Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:07
British Museum
14 m
Queen Elizabeth II Great Court
14 m
Shabaka Stone
81 m
Museum Tavern
146 m
Abbott and Holder
176 m
Obelisks of Nectanebo II
14 m
Paul Stolper Gallery
173 m
Rondanini Faun
20 m
British Museum Reading Room
14 m
Building of the British Museum
13 m
King Edward VII Galleries
116 m
The Plough (Number 27)
170 m
Numbers 12-29 And Attached Railings Including Montague Hotel (Numbers 12-20)
131 m
43-48, Great Russell Street
149 m
Numbers 1-11 And Attached Railings Including White Hall Hotel (Numbers 2-5) And Montague House (Numbers 8-11)
104 m
Numbers 89, 90 And 91 And Attached Railings
149 m
37, 38 And 39, Museum Street
161 m
Iron Gates Between Numbers 20 And 21 Leading To Rear Garden
121 m
Numbers 38-43 And Attached Railings
139 m
Pair Of K6 Telephone Kiosks Next To The Western Stone Pier On Front Boundary Railings
137 m
Eighteen Lamp Posts On The Forecourt Of The British Museum
109 m
Number 29A And Attached Wall, Railings And Lamps
170 m
Pair Of K6 Telephone Kiosks Flanking Side Entrance Piers And Gates
116 m
Main Entrance Gateway, Railings And Attached Lodges To The British Museum
122 m
Numbers 24-60 And Attached Railings
139 m
Numbers 44-49 And Attached Railings
164 m
Pair Of K6 Telephone Kiosks Flanking Eastern Stone Pier To Front Boundary Railings
139 m
Numbers 1-10 And Attached Railings
138 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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