The life of a spy is shrouded in mystery but this immersive exhibition, free to the public, sheds light on spies and spycraft from W.W. I to the present day. As exhilarating as the role of a spy might seem, it is riddled with lies, deception, and, of course, danger. Items on display include footprint overshoes, which disguise the wearer’s real prints and mislead trackers; matchboxes containing secret messages; and hollow batteries for hiding rolls of film. The gadgets remind us of those produced by Q in the James Bond novels, but in real life the brave spies who went behind enemy lines did not always make it back. Showcasing 150 objects from over 100 years, and also including newly digitized film and specially commissioned interviews, this exhibition is not to be missed. —Isabella Carter