Strange stories: our favourite museums of the quirkier variety

Wondering where to go when you get tired of institutionalised high-brow culture, and want something a little more light-hearted? We’ve got you covered. Trading the mega-galleries and museum hotspots for back-alley hidden gems, the team and a few fellow Khoollectors have put together a list of museums of the quirkier variety:

British Lawnmower Museum, 114 Shakespeare Street, Southport, PR8 5AJ

Into lawnmowing? You will be after visiting this place. The British Lawnmower Museum in Southport is a charming little haunt for everyone, featuring some of the fastest, most expensive and amazing lawnmowers in the world. You’ll be a garden engineering fanatic in no time.

The Sh*t Museum, Frazione Campremoldo Sopra, Castelbosco, 29010 Gragnano Trebbiense

Currently visiting London for the Design Festival, The Sh*t Museum is kind of as it sounds. Located in beautiful Northern Italy, it hosts a whole range of art made from, you guessed it… Browse the museum for sh*t-made furniture, vases, tableware and much more.

Vasamuseet, Box 27131, SE-102 52, Stockholm

It was 333 years ago when the Vasa ship sank. Luckily for us, the mighty warship has been salvaged and put on display in Stockholm. Interesting fact… it’s the world’s only salvaged 17th Century ship. It’s also Scandinavia’s most popular museum, so it’s got to be good. This one came to us from Khoollector, @brizitka. Anyone else who has visited, please let us know your experiences in the comments section below.

World of Hat Museum, 7 Vilandes, Riga, Latvia

The World of Hat Museum is a quirky tourist destination where you can discover the history of head-dress. Based in Latvia, the museum brings a little taste from all over, through its international hat displays. This suggestion was brought to us by Khoollector, @ellia_a. Got any wacky hats? Send us a pic…

Bakelite Museum, Orchard Mill, Bridge Street, Williton, Somerset, TA4 4NS

In the heart of Somerset lies the Bakelite Museum, playing host to a hoard of homeware objects from the 1960s-1990s. This one was suggested through the forum by Khoollector, Katherine Owen. We’re big fans of vintage homeware and will be checking this place out asap.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology, 9341 Venice Boulevard, Culver City, California 90232

If you’ve read Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder you may well recognise The Museum of Jurassic Technology. This Californian ‘educational institution’ hopes to bring about the “advancement of knowledge and the public appreciation of the Lower Jurassic“. Sounds good to me.

Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London, SE23 3PQ

If you’re the kind of person who wants to pick up and play with the artefacts you find, this one might be perfect for you. Another great choice from Khoollector Katherine Owen, the Horniman Museum prides itself on storing an extensive collection of old stuff, much of it living outside of the glass cages common in museums and galleries. So get down there and pick it up… They also have a 16-acre garden – just sayin’.

The Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street, London, WC1A 2HH

Finally, a personal favourite of mine. Chuckle your way through historic British comic and cartoon art at The Cartoon Museum in central London.

What are your favourite museums? Comment below or join us in the forum…