The Fan Museum
Greenwich
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Britain's only museum devoted to fans, in a pair of restored Georgian townhouses on Crooms Hill: changing exhibitions, more than 7,000 objects spanning over 1,000 years, and an Orangery for events.
Just up Crooms Hill from Greenwich town centre, a pair of beautifully restored Grade II* listed early Georgian townhouses hold one of the area's most delightful surprises. The Fan Museum is the only museum of its kind in the UK, devoted entirely to the history, culture and artistry of the fan. It's small, independent and accredited by Arts Council England, and has been welcoming visitors since 1991.
Gathered from across the world, the collections span more than 1,000 years and exceed 7,000 objects. Highlights include works by Paul Gauguin, a rare Elizabethan fan, Japanese court fans and a spectacular Fabergé fan. Displays change through the year, so there's always a reason to go back: the current exhibition, opened by Queen Camilla, runs until 9 January 2027.
The museum was founded by Hélène Alexander MBE, a world authority on fans, and her late husband Dickie, who wanted a museum with the welcoming feel of an extended family. Today it hosts talks, concerts and candlelit evenings, runs fan-making workshops and digital exhibitions, and has a shop of fans, books and gifts. The Orangery can be hired for private events and weddings.