London Silver Vaults

Way off the tourist track, this is a good place to take visiting friends and relatives who are interested in silver or jewelery, or just want to see vault after vault full of silver.
In case you need to accommodate someone who has trouble climbing stairs, please note that, as far as I could see, the only way to the vaults was via a stairway. But it might be worthwhile to ring and find out if they have an elevator in the building.
The Chancery Lane Safe Deposit opened in 1876, renting strong rooms mainly to London’s wealthy elite in order to safeguard their household silver, jewellery and personal documents. About 50 years ago, silver dealers set up shop here, selling silver to the public.
You get your bag checked when you come in (to make sure you are not going to hold the place up?) and then you are let through to climb down several flights of stairs, walk past the largest vault door I have ever seen and then enter the shop area — vault after vault crammed with everything from delicate silver necklaces to a solid silver armchair.
I was actually a bit dazed by the amount of silver glitzing at me; it would have been impossible for me to systematically browse through what must be about 50 shops.
This place is worth a visit. And make sure you leave on time — I had a shop owner shoo me out because apparently the main vault door is closed at a certain time without checking if people are still inside. But on the other hand, it might be interesting to spend a night in the vaults surrounded by beautiful silver objects!

The old vaults have been transformed into an amazing array of little shops. Each vault door opens up to reveal an Aladdin’s cave of antique (and modern) silverware worth absolutely millions! You are searched as you go in which seems odd? I think if I were a shop keeper there I would want everyone searched as they left! The only down side is if your are unsteady on your feet or handicapped by a wheelchair the only way to the toilets (should you need them) involves stairs. There are 30 vaults being used as shops so literally thousands of items to view. Beware though silver is not getting any cheaper and it is easy to spend more than you planned. Great place to spend an hour browsing you never know what you might find!

A catacomb of underground vaults full of silver! If you haven’t been — seeing is believing. Check out vault 29 :)