On a recent trip to London, I headed to Finchley Road to visit Sigmund Freud's house. A big turn of the century building on a large and tree lined street, away from the bustle of the city streets, we were lucky to visit on an at least mildly sunny day.
Photos weren't really allowed in the museum itself, particularly in Freud's study, which has been preserved in its entirety, first by Freud's daughter Anna and then after that by the subsequent owners. The star item in the study is Freud's analysing couch and his own green tub chair where he would sit whilst listening to his patients (pictured above in the postcard). However, the museum is full of other treasures of the Freud family, some fascinating photographs and interesting videos to watch, including family video footage with poignant commentary by Anna Freud.
One thing that I felt was missing was any real information about Freud's most famous cases, such as the Wolf Man or the Rat Man, which might have assisted with a further understanding of his methods and his theories.
Still, a nice house with a pretty garden out the back, with a very interesting history. Worth an afternoon visit? Be prepared for a £7 ticket price, but it is worth it for a brief glimpse into the life of one of the psychological pioneers of the early 20th century.
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