Bank of England Museum, London

Since its establishment in 1694 as the central bank of England, the role of the institution famously known as the "Old Lady of Threadneedle Street" (a nickname derived from a political cartoon) has evolved significantly. It now encompasses various responsibilities such as overseeing foreign exchanges, issuing currency, safeguarding the nation's gold reserves, and supervising the United Kingdom's banking system. Since 1997, it has also been entrusted with the operational management of Britain's monetary policy, most notably in the context of setting interest rates, similar to the role played by the Federal Reserve in the United States.

The institution's premises occupy a three-acre area enclosed by a massive Neoclassical curtain wall, originally designed by Sir John Soane in 1828. Interestingly, this windowless outer wall is the sole remaining structure from Soane's original bank building, which was demolished in 1925. If you wish to delve deeper into the bank's history, the Bank of England Museum, conveniently located around the corner on Bartholomew Lane, offers a surprisingly diverse range of exhibits. Alongside the bank's original Royal Charter, the museum hosts a dynamic program of special exhibitions and interactive displays, allowing visitors to even try their hand at understanding the control of inflation. One of the museum's most popular attractions is a solid-gold bar on display in the central trading hall, which visitors can actually hold, although it's important to note that stringent security measures are in place.