In the event that online bookings for this event have sold out, you may still be able to attend by collecting a ticket at the door. Please note that walk‑in tickets are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis and depend on venue capacity on the night.
About this event
When: Thursday 16 April, 5.15pm to 8pm, last entry 7.30pm
How would it feel to take a grand escapade across the continent, soaking up architecture and history, revelling in art and music? This may feel like a far-off dream, but for young men of the1800's gentile class, this was the well-expected trip of a lifetime.
Much of the Bank of England's long-admired architecture was inspired by such trips, taken by genius architects Sir John Soane and Sir Herbert Baker, the minds behind the grand construction and redesign of the Bank, and this one-off evening event at the Bank of England Museum will offer a tour through the key inspiration points for both architects.
Visitors can expect to engage in their own marvellous journey through the Museum, discovering the architecture and history behind one of London's most iconic buildings. Separate tickets are available for the 6pm talk from speaker Dr Monica Walker.
Talk: 'The Grand Tour: Europe’s Most Ambitious Finishing School', 6pm, Learning Space
Booking is required for this talk. Please select '6pm Talk + General Admission' as your ticket type when you book to attend on the following screen - this will cover admittance to both the late event and the talk. In the event that this ticket type has sold out, you may still be able to attend the talk on the night. Please note, these walk-in spaces are allocated on a first-come first-served basis at 6pm after ticket-holders have been seated.
If you have booked a ticket for the talk, please ensure you arrive promptly to the Museum's Learning Space for 6pm. We cannot guarantee admittance if you are late for the talk, even if you have booked a ticket.
For more than two centuries, young members of Europe’s elite were expected to complete their education not in a classroom, but on the road. Known as the Grand Tour, this extraordinary journey took travellers across the cultural capitals of Europe, from the salons of Paris to the ruins of Rome and the volcanoes of Naples.
Part adventure, part education, and occasionally part scandal, the Grand Tour was designed to transform privileged young travellers into cultured gentlemen. Along the way they encountered the art of the Renaissance, the remains of the ancient Roman world, and the ideas that would shape modern European culture.
But the Grand Tour was far more than an aristocratic travel experience. It influenced architecture, collecting, museums, and the very way Europe imagined its past. Figures such as architect Sir John Soane, whose work shaped the Bank of England, drew inspiration from the landscapes, ruins, and artistic traditions encountered during these formative journeys.
In this lively talk, art historian Dr Monica Walker will guide audiences through the origins, routes, and lasting impact of the Grand Tour, revealing how travel once served as one of Europe’s most important tools of education and cultural exchange.
In the event that online bookings for this event have sold out, you may still be able to attend by collecting a ticket at the door. Please note that walk‑in tickets are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis and depend on venue capacity on the night. To guarantee your spot for next time, consider signing up to our newsletter via the link at the end of this page; all our subscribers receive early access tickets for our events.
Essential information:
- The event is free to attend, but booking is required. To attend the 6pm talk, please select the correct ticket type ('6pm Talk + General Admission') when you make your booking.
- In the event that online bookings for this event have sold out, you may still be able to attend by collecting a ticket at the door. Please note that walk‑in tickets are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis and depend on venue capacity on the night.
- The event will begin at 5.15pm. The Museum will close temporarily at 5pm for security reasons, and reopen 15 minutes later.
- The venue must be vacated by 8pm. Last entry to this event is 7.30pm.
- Please note there is airport-style security at the Museum's entrance.
- For access enquiries, visit our Museum's accessibility page.
