Fergusbrandon

The Museum of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising documents the social history of British Isles through a display of advertisements, posters, packages, fashion, games, and toys. This display of 12,000 items of iconic brands and images is inspiring and emotive. Exhibits are displayed one decade after another since naive Victorian times till the present day. Rimmel Cosmetics belonging to 1890s, Oxo Cubes during World War I, Mars Bars, KitKats and Rolos of the 1930s, Chopper Bike of the 1970s etc. are all on display.   

Consumer historian Robert Opie opened this museum in 1984 in Gloucester and then shifted to this present Notting Hill venue in 2005. Today it is among the top ten tourist attractions of London city. With every year after its opening, this museum has gradually increased in its activities and size. The present Lancaster Road location in Notting Hill represents the museum’s third expansion phase. The number of visitors, education services, and events has gradually risen over the last decade.

 In the 1960s, Robert Opie got interested in consumer behaviour and began studying the different brands of usage since Victorian period. He began collecting materials and by 1975 had collected enough to hold an exhibition at Victoria and Albert Museum. After spending sixteen years in a market research career, he opened his Museum of Advertisement and Packaging in 1984.

Though the focus of Opie was on advertising and packaging, his interests extended to transport and travel; games and toys; fashion and technology; newspapers and magazines; and entertainment and leisure. Historic events like royal occasions and wars also interested him.

Learning Opportunities at Museum of Brands

The activities of this museum ares not just confined to display of exhibits but include more serious assignments like learning and resource planning. The learning programmes of this museum are supported by D.S. Smith Charitable Foundation, and John Lyon’s Charity.

1. Workshops and Sessions – Learning sessions are arranged for school, college, and university students from Monday to Friday. These include an hour long workshop on analysis of objects from the museum’s collection and consequent generation of commercial knowledge. A self-directed tour of the museum follows the workshops.

1. Talks and Packages – Before visiting Time Tunnel, an introductory session offering an overview of the museum’s collection is given. It helps learners to explore and analyse the objects on display. A 10 percent discount is allowed on shopping and at the cafe.

• Resources – The museum has created subject specific worksheets for better analysis of exhibits. These could be downloaded and distributed among members of a study group.

Special study packages are offered for youngsters, families, and seniors. These involve story telling of different products through the decades since the Victorian era till the present day. Package buyers are entitled to 10 percent discount on souvenirs bought from the museum store, and also a 10 percent discount at the museum cafe.

Venue Hire

The Museum of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising has outstanding conference facilities in air-conditioned areas. The conference rooms could be booked for daytime or evening for meetings, product launches, creative sessions, networking events and banquets.

Location and Access

The museum located in 111-117 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London is a 2-minute walk from Portobello Road and market. The area has a distinctive village like feel.

Opening hours is from 10am – 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 11am – 5pm on Sunday. Monday is closed except for Bank Holiday when it stays open from 11am – 5pm.

Entry fee for adults is £7.50 and for children (7-16 years) is £3.00; Family of 4 is charged £20.00; Students with ID cards, Freedom pass holders, and visitors over 60 years are charged a concessional £5.00; Group of 10 or more is allowed a discount of 10 percent.

Ladbroke Grove is the nearest tube station.

Accommodation in London

In London there is a constant flow of tourists from all corners of the globe. Some of these travellers come to this city for professional reason, some for academic purposes, while others on vacation. First time travellers would be certainly overwhelmed by conventional English hospitality and the general ambient surrounding. Starting from B & B arrangement to super – deluxe resorts, London city has accommodation for every preference and budget. Among the new luxury hotels, Royal London House by Montcalm Finsbury Square London City is a fabulous place to stay. With more than 250 guest rooms done up in mid-century style, the hotel redefines London hospitality.

A luxury hotel in London offers facilities to take complete care of guests. Luxurious rooms, elaborate dining facilities, complete secretarial service, conference and banqueting facilities, health club and spa, and travel assistance are the different services offered by a typical luxury London hotel.

Many of the luxury hotels offer special packages to their guests as a privilege. Boutique hotels honeymoon package, weekend package, anniversary package, frequent visitor package are some of the special offerings for guests. These packages are usually discounted and might include food, sightseeing, health club visits, body massage, complimentary food and so on.    

 Accommodation in a luxury hotel is an indulging experience for London visitors. Guest rooms are decorated in periodic style with appropriate furniture and furnishings. Temperature controlled rooms keep you cosy during any season of the year. Flat screen LED table with cable connection, telephone with direct dialling facility, electronic safe, digital alarm, tea/ coffee maker, and refrigerator with mini bar are amenities provided for every guest room. These hotels are Wi-Fi enabled and guest rooms are endowed with broadband Internet access throughout day and night.

These hotels are often venues for corporate events like conferences, meetings, and interviews. Most of these hotels have multiple conference rooms complete with latest presentation facilities for groups of different sizes. Banquet facilities take care of the culinary demands of guests. Dining is normally elaborate with restaurants offering cuisine from across the globe. Bars and coffee shop are the perfect places for relaxing and meeting friends. You could make use of health club and spa to keep yourself fit and fine.