Fan Museum Greenwich: Visit the UK’s Only Fan Museum

The Fan Museum Greenwich is the UK’s only museum dedicated to fans and the craft of fan making. You’ll find this cultural gem on Crooms Hill, a winding road that connects the hustle and bustle of historic Greenwich to the Royal Observatory and the Meridian Line.

Fan Museum Greenwich Orangery with trompe l’oeil murals, a Jane Eyre-worthy room in a Georgian townhouse

What is the Fan Museum in Greenwich?

The museum spans two listed Georgian townhouses, and it’s jammed full of the most exquisite objects, from fans of the twelfth century to contemporary designs. This unique place is truly one of London’s museum gems and should be a destination for anyone visiting Greenwich. Read on for what to see, opening times and how to visit the Fan Museum Greenwich.

Fan Museum on Crooms Hill, two Georgian townhouses linking Greenwich to the Royal Observatory

Inside the Fan Museum

The Fan Museum showcases fans and fan-making from around the world. From the moment you step over the threshold, you will feel as if you have walked into someone’s Regency-era home. The displays include everything from delicate painted leaves and mother-of-pearl sticks to royal souvenirs and bold contemporary pieces.

Greenwich museums gem: glass cabinets of delicate treasures in a Georgian room

Painted court scene on mother-of-pearl sticks, an exquisite royal keepsake

Banquet scene painted on a handheld leaf, one of the historical treasures from the collection

Scarlet and purple hand-painted pieces in a glass case, a splash of colour among the displays

Monochrome printed pleats in a Victorian display with a red backdrop, collectors’ treasures

Contemporary design with a painted woman’s face on pleated sheets, a modern twist on a Regency craft

Korean-style round leaf painted with a pavilion, displayed among treasures from around the world

Early painted leaf on a stand in a glass case, a rare piece from the collection

The Orangery

A Jane Eyre-worthy Orangery on the garden level adds to the romanticism of the building, with its trompe l’oeil murals and garden views. It no longer serves afternoon tea to the public, but it’s well worth going down to the garden level to peep in at this exquisite space. It’s also where some of the lectures are held, and it can be hired for private events.

The founders and the collection

Portrait of Hélène Alexander and her late husband, founders of the UK’s only fan museum

The Fan Museum Greenwich was founded by the husband-and-wife team Hélène Alexander and her late husband, A.V. Alexander. Egyptian-born Hélène started acquiring her vast collection of fans in the 1970s, and the museum opened to the public in 1991. It strives to promote the awareness and appreciation of the history, culture and artistry of fans and fan making through its exhibitions, of which there have been hundreds. The impressive collection includes the Hélène Alexander Collection and the Fan Museum Trust Collection of gifts, bequests and acquisitions.

Things to do in Greenwich: a montage of antique fans from the Fan Museum

Royal wedding souvenir with portraits of William and Kate among poppies, a cheeky modern keepsake

There’s a royal flavour too, with fans from significant royal events across the continent, including royal weddings and coronations. Look out for the souvenir fan celebrating Prince William and Kate.

Fan-making workshops and events

The Fan Museum holds very popular fan-making workshops, so you can make your own fan to take home. Check the Fan Museum website for dates, lectures in the Orangery and the current exhibition.

Visiting the Fan Museum Greenwich

The Fan Museum: 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8ER. Nearest station: Greenwich or Cutty Sark DLR.

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm, with last admission at 4.30pm. Adult tickets cost around £5, with concessions around £3 and free entry for children under 7 and Art Fund members. Check the website for the latest opening times and prices before you go.

Make a day of it. The Fan Museum is a short walk from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park and the Queen’s House, so pair it with my guide to Royal Museums Greenwich. For more unusual museums, see my guide to alternative museums in London.

The Fan Museum in Greenwich