Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising

by Kym Hamer (subscribe)

The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is dedicated to marking British history using the everyday items that have surrounded us.



There are more than 12,000 items in the Museum's Time Tunnel. Gathered from the Robert Opie Collection (aren't we rather glad he was a little OCD about this particular passion!), every corner turned reveals more products and brands and their evolution alongside society.



It is fascinating to see the products and brand names we know (and sometimes love) evolving in response to the advances in culture, technology and the changes in our behaviours and attitudes. Everything is grouped in decades, so you can see how the prevailing views of the time were reflected in the products we bought, and the things entertained ourselves with.



Royal weddings also pepper the trail starting from the marriage of Queen Victoria to her beloved Albert in 1840 and ending with the recent nuptials of William and Kate.

The last section of the tunnel contains several feature windows for the brand sponsors (Cadbury, Kellogg's, Diageo, pi Global, Vodafone, McVities), and there are some great examples of well-known products and how the packaging has developed into what we see on supermarket shelves today.

Walking out through the cafe (sponsored by Twinings), there are some temporary displays (the biro was one product featured when I visited), as well as a large Guinness display. There are also rows and rows of old televisions and when I popped in, one of them was playing a reel of old ads - this one was my favourites and a perfect illustration of how products and brands are so integral in our daily lives, yet go unnoticed:



There's an education program for kids and the Museum can also be booked for events and functions.

Based in leafy Notting Hill, a short walk from the corner of Portabello Road and Westbourne Grove, The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is really one of those unexpected yet wonderful ways to while away a couple of hours.

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Why? If you love seeing everyday history come to life

When: Tuesday - Sunday (closed Mondays and some public holidays)

Where: Notting Hill, London

Cost: £6.50 for adults, £2.25 for children, £15 for a family ticket

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Museum of Brands, Advertising and Packaging (article)

by Caroline Haack on 19/07/2017