12 Best London Museums Actually Worth Visiting
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London has over 192 museums, including 14 national museums and galleries and three of the top 10 museums and galleries in the world. Picking the best London museum is no easy task.
Waste no time during your visit to London as we break down the best London museums, what to expect, and who they are best for visiting. Plus, we provide directions to their doorstep.
After living in central London for three years and in the English countryside for three more years, we enjoyed countless mornings and afternoons exploring the museums of London. The cafes, special exhibitions, and late-night events (for example, Friday Late at the V&A) kept us going back for more.
You can hop into these museums when the rain starts to fall or a summer heat wave hits but we recommend putting one or two on your London itinerary in advance of arrival. For example, the Tate Modern is one of the stops in our Free Central London Walking Tour Itinerary.
Complete your London trip planning:
– Get everything you need to know for your trip with our London Travel Guide
– Don’t under (or over) pack with our packing list
– Decide between a rental car or public transit (we have strong opinions on this!)
– Don’t make the mistake of scheduling your trip during the worst time to visit London!
Let’s jump into the best London museums!
Best London Museums: FAQs
Here are some common questions on visiting the best London museums.
Are London museums handicap accessible?
Yes, London Museums are handicap accessible. While many are housed in historical buildings, the designers paid attention to installing ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.
Wheelchair accessibility is standard in these museums. See their specific handicap accessibility information in the museum links below.
Related articles:
- FREE London Travel Guide
- Is Hyde Park Worth Visiting?
- 25 of London’s Hidden Gems You Won’t Want to Miss (+ a map!)
Are London museums kid-friendly?
As with much of London, we find the museums to be kid-friendly across London. Children are welcome to explore and share what they are learning. Don’t fear being shushed or lectured by a guard if your kids are being kids.
Many of the best London Museums include playrooms like the National Army Museum so even babies and toddlers will be entertained. Read below for the best London Museums made for kids.
Kids and adults need coffee and cake when exploring these massive museums. You will find cafes in all of these London Museums. Some even have full restaurants. We enjoy the cafes for tea and scones while we are exploring for the afternoon. Pastries, coffee, and sandwiches will also be available.
Are all museums in London free?
Not all museums are free in London but many of the most popular London museums are free to enter. Entry to the permanent collections is free, while charges may apply for special exhibitions.
With how much a trip to London costs now, it is refreshing to find free things to do in London!
What museums are free in London?
The most popular free London museums are national museums and Tate art galleries (Tate Modern and Tate Britain). Numerous private collections and art galleries are also free in London. These museums and galleries are free to enter to view the permanent collection and they charge for special exhibitions.
National museums are established by an Act of Parliament and are owned and operated by the state. London has thirteen National museums which are free to enter, including the following:
- British Museum
- Imperial War Museum
- National Gallery
- National Maritime Museum
- Science Museum
- National Portrait Gallery
- National Army Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Royal Armouries
- Sir John Soane’s Museum
- Tate Britain and Tate Modern
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Wallace Collection
Additional free London museums that are popular include the Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre, Wellcome Collection, Queen’s House, Horniman Museum and Gardens, London Mithraeum, Royal Academy of the Arts, British Library, Bank of England Museum, and Serpentine Galleries.
When is the best time to visit London museums?
Anytime is a good time to visit a London museum. The museums are large so they can handle large crowds. But, if you wish to avoid the crowds then visit during the weekday and arrive at the opening or in the late afternoon with time to explore before they close.
Rainy days, hot days, and weekends experience the largest crowds at popular London museums. Even if you visit during the worst time to visit London, the best London Museums will provide a welcome respite from the cold and rain.
Some London museums can experience long wait times to enter. On Exhibition Road in South Kensington, you can find long queues outside of the Science Museum and Natural History Museum. Both of these museums recommend pre-booking tickets to guarantee entry and an expedited entrance line.
How long should you visit London museums?
London museums vary in size and shape. With multiple floors, halls, and exhibitions, you can spend all day perusing the thousands of portraits and artifacts. We recommend carving out at least two hours to explore a London museum or gallery.
Stay for as long or as short as you like. During one of our recent trips to London, we stayed in South Kensington. With the Science Museum, Victoria and Albert, and Natural History Museum within a few blocks of our hotel, we could visit multiple times during our stay. We would pop into the free museums for 15 to 45 minutes to let our kids explore a new part of the museum.
For those vacation planners like us, check their websites to identify the exhibits you don’t want to miss. Head there first and work your way back. If the museum sparks your interest and curiosity then head back for another visit.
Video of the Best London Museums
We find video to be the best way to understand what to expect when traveling. Explore some of the best London museums from this list in the video below.
As we mention in the video, download our Perfect London Itinerary Day to explore central London. This was the itinerary day we would give visiting family and friends to get them introduced to London’s best attractions.
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1 DAY IN LONDON ITINERARY
If you have limited time in this capital city, don’t miss out. Our one day itinerary takes you to great spots on an easy walking tour of London.
Download to your phone and take it on the go.
Churchill War Rooms: Best London Museum for WWII Historians
Churchill War Rooms is part of the Imperial War Museums, which include the HMS Belfast which is in our FREE 1-day London Itinerary download. What makes this museum one of the most popular in London is that you can explore the top-secret nerve center of Britain’s WWII strategic planning. The museum is the actual bunker. So cool.
- London Borough and Directions: City of Westminster, near Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and 10 Downing Street (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: St. James’s Park Station
- Entry fee: Adults £27.50, 5 and under are free
- Who is this London museum best for: WWII Historians
- A hidden gem inside the museum: the private toilet used to hide the radio-telegram link to the President of the United States
Prime Minister Winston Churchill slept here during the most tense days of the war. You will enter the WWII bunker to view the Cabinet Room where the most important decisions were made, explore the Churchill museum, and see the bedroom where he slept.
Grab the audio guide headsets to get engrossed in the bunker’s war rooms.
We recommend booking tickets in advance as there are few walk-up tickets available. The afternoons have the best availability.
Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs, Oceans, Space, and More
The Natural History Museum and the next two museums are located in South Kensington on Exhibition Road. The road got its name from The Great Exhibition of 1851. The exhibition was held in Hyde Park which is on the northern end of the road.
- London Borough and Directions: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in South Kensington (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: South Kensington Station (look for the tunnel in the station to the museum)
- Entry fee: Free (donations are appreciated), special exhibitions with a fee
- Who is this London museum best for: Children and Sir David Attenborough documentary viewers
- A hidden gem inside the museum: The T-Rex automaton is located at the entrance to the dinosaur exhibit on the ground floor.
The Natural History Museum was opened in 1881 and it will take you back 4.6 billion years in our planet’s history. The Hintze Hall at the entrance is picture perfect for the stone and glass design and Hope hanging from the roof.
Hope is a blue whale who was found beached off the coast of Ireland in 1891. It took three years to restore her bones as she is 82 feet long and weighs 4.5 tonnes. Seeing Hope and the other displays in Hintze Hall makes this museum worth visiting alone.
This massive museum has over 80 million items so follow your curiosity into the surrounding halls. There are four color-coded sections to explore (pick up a map when you enter):
- Blue zone: dinosaurs to mammals
- Green zone: planet’s evolution (Hintze Hall fossils are included here)
- Red zone: forces that shape our planet (like volcanoes and tsunamis)
- Orange zone: Darwin Centre
Our kids loved and were terrified by the dinosaur exhibit. The moving, roaring tyrannosaurus rex will have a brief line for viewing but your imagination will be intrigued once you round the corner into the T-Rex room.
The Earth Hall in the red zone is best entered on the escalator, taking you through a giant metallic globe.
If you’re visiting during the summer or holidays, we recommend booking your free tickets in advance to get priority access in the queue.
South Kensington was built in the 19th century, the golden age of London pub construction. Learn about London pubs plus our favorite pubs near these museums in our London Pub Guide.
Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington
The Victoria & Albert Museum was founded in 1852. The museum is known as the V&A. Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the museum is the world’s largest of applied arts, decorative arts, and design. Explore 2.27 million objects housed inside a beautifully designed Victorian building.
- London Borough and Directions: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in South Kensington (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: South Kensington Station
- Entry Fee: Free (donations are appreciated) with a fee for special exhibits
- Who is this London museum best for: Artists, fashionistas, and designers
- A hidden gem inside the museum: The cafe is the first museum cafe in the world and features live piano performances on most days.
We appreciate this museum’s roots as a Museum of Manufacturers. The original director focused on applied art and design to boost industry. The museum wasn’t meant for “High Art” like at the National Gallery but art for the working class.
Hence, it was the first museum to be open at night for working-class schedules. The museum continues that tradition today with Friday Late. Visit on the last Friday of the month from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM for contemporary art, live performances, debates, drinks, and DJs.
Science Museum: Best London Museum for Kids
The Science Museum is the best London museum for kids thanks to its Interactive Gallery, Space Exhibit, IMAX Theatre, and overall mind-expanding exhibits on science.
- London Borough and Directions: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in South Kensington (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: South Kensington Station
- Entry fee: Free (donations are appreciated) and a fee for special exhibitions
- Who is this London museum best for: Children and lovers of science
- A hidden gem inside the museum: Head to the top floor for food, flight simulators, and the Flight Gallery which has gliders to hot air balloons to jets.
You will find a line out the door at this London museum during the summer and on the weekends. The entrance hall greets visitors with original, moving steam engines that started the Industrial Revolution. From there, head into space or go up to numerous floors of scientific wonder.
Our favorite moment at this museum was a silent disco they hosted. Check their exhibits and galleries as they are constantly adding new things for you and your children to do.
The Science Museum is free to enter but booking tickets in advance is highly recommended as this museum gets busy. Book tickets here to London’s Science Museum.
Tate Modern for Modern Art
From Pablo Picasso to Henri Matisse, you will find an exciting collection of art, sculpture, sound, and visual pieces of modern and contemporary art at the Tate Modern. Art dates from 1900 to today.
- London Borough and Directions: Bankside on the south side of the Thames (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: Blackfriars Station
- Entry Fee: Free to enter and temporary, special exhibits require a fee
- Who is this London museum best for: Contemporary and modern art lovers
- A hidden gem inside the museum: The balcony outside the cafe has a wonderful view of the Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
In 2022, the Tate Modern was the third most-visited museum in Britain and fourth most-visited in the world. It houses the world’s largest collection of modern and contemporary art inside a former Bankside Power Plant.
Visit the Tate Modern on a free walking tour of London. Download our Perfect Day in London itinerary that includes a stop at the Tate Modern.
Tate Britain
Another member of the Tate network of galleries is the original Tate Britain. This museum on the banks of the Thames houses historical and contemporary British art.
- London Borough and Directions: City of Westminster (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station:
- Entry Fee: Free to enter and temporary, special exhibits require a fee
- Who is this London museum best for:
- A hidden gem inside the museum: Hunt down Ophelia by John Everett Millais. The visitor’s favorite reflects the tragic death of Shakespeare’s Ophelia.
There is no need to book ahead for this museum. I have found it peaceful to roam the halls and enjoy some of Britain’s best work hanging on the walls. 500 years of British art and stories are shared here.
This is far from a stuffy, old museum as you can find a play studio, Tate drawing room, and a story space making this a good museum for kids.
Interested in adding libations to your education? Check out this historical pub walking tour or explore other great activities.
London Transport Museum: Best London Museum for Public Transport
Another wonderful London museum for families is the London Transport Museum. The history of London is intertwined with transportation. 200 years of London transport history and stories.
- London Borough and Directions: Covent Garden (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: Convent Garden Station
- Entry Fee: £24 per adult and kids are free. Purchase the annual pass if you go more than once.
- Who is this London museum best for: Kids and public transport lovers
- A hidden gem inside the museum: The museum hosts Hidden London, tours of closed Underground Stations.
We enjoyed the stories of Victorian London with horses and buggies to walking through old Underground carriage cars. Escape from the chaos of Convent Garden to learn the rich history of London’s transport systems.
The old doubledecker buses housed inside a Victorian iron and glass warehouse are picture-perfect. Our kids loved the play area and the chance to operate a train simulator.
British Museum: The Most Famous London Museum
A showcase of British Imperialism, The British Museum is the place to go for Egyptian mummies, Greek statues, and Roman antiquities. The museum covers the dawn of human history to the present. Hence, the British Museum is massive.
- London Borough and Directions: Central London (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street, or Holborn Stations.
- Entry Fee: Free to enter and special exhibits require a fee
- Who is this London museum best for: Lovers of antiquity and culture
- A hidden gem inside the museum: The Great Court is the most photographed but head to the seven Eqyptian galleries for mummies, the Rosetta Stone, coffins, and more.
In 2022, the museum ranked third as the most visited museum in the world. There are 13 million artifacts spanning numerous halls, galleries, and hallways. The most popular exhibits are “Life and Death of Pompeii and Herculaneum” and “Ice Age Art.”
Tickets to the permanent collection are free. As this London museum can get busy, you can pre-book an entry time here. Special exhibitions change frequently, so check their special exhibition website. Special exhibitions are around £16 per adult.
Postal Museum: A Secret London Museum
One of our favorite London Museums to bring the kids to is the Postal Museum. The museum made our video of Secret London for the Mail Rail.
The Mail Rail is under the museum. Descend into the one-hundred-year-old former engineering depot of Mail Rail and board a miniature train for a multi-media experience. The kids loved it as much as the adults.
- London Borough and Directions: Clerkenwell, Central London (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: Russell Square and Barbican
- Entry Fee: £16 per adult and £9 for children 3-15 years old.
- Who is this London museum best for: Kids and postal historians
- A hidden gem inside the museum: Besides the Mail Rail, see the exhibit on letter boxes and the Royal Cypher
From stamps to postal uniforms, the rich history of the English empire is all tied to the mail system.
Kids can also enjoy the free tumble time play area for 8 years and younger.
National Maritime Museum
We recommend making a day of visiting Greenwich, as we share in our Things to Do in Greenwich Video. Visit the Royal Observatory, Painted Hall, and then the National Maritime Museum. All are part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.
- London Borough and Directions: Royal Borough of Greenwich (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: Take the Thames Clipper to Greenwich Pier
- Entry Fee: Free to enter, special exhibitions come with a fee
- Who is this London museum best for: British Empire and maritime historians, lovers of ships and traveling the world
- A hidden gem inside the museum: The exhibit on the East India Company is fascinating. One can’t speak of the British Empire without understanding the East India Company’s influence and power.
The museum is large yet well-organized around the central hall. Kids will enjoy the world map and play area that is located on the second floor of the center hall. Explore the galleries surrounding the hall to get an appreciation of the maritime might of Britain.
National Gallery: Easy to Visit London Museum
Located in Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is free to hop into while out enjoying a day in the West End. The museum overlooks Trafalgar Square so you can’t miss this institution. The museum houses Britain’s finest collection of masterpieces from the 13th to 19th centuries.
- London Borough and Directions: Trafalgar Square (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: Charing Cross and Leicester Square
- Entry Fee: Free entry
- Who is this London museum best for: lovers of classic art
The National Gallery displays works from Van Gogh, Raphael, Vermeer, Cezanne, Seurat, Rembrandt, and more among 2,600 paintings. For the must-see works, check the room number here for such classic artists as listed above.
We recommend booking a free taster tour of the National Gallery. One can better appreciate the art and artists with these small group, one-hour tours.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is one of our favorites on this list of best London museums as the museum isn’t sprawling and every portrait is fascinating. Be it Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, or modern knights and dames.
- London Borough and Directions: Near Trafalgar Square in West Central London (click for directions)
- Closest Underground Station: Charing Cross and Leicester Square
- Entry Fee: Free entry
- Who is this London museum best for: a little for everyone to enjoy historical and modern portraits of Britain’s finest
There are over 12,700 portraits in paintings, sculptures, and miniatures. The collection also includes pictures, prints, and drawings. The various mediums, perspectives, and eyes provide a fascinating look at humans.
The National Portrait Gallery is easy to access as it is on the backside of the National Gallery. If the National Gallery is busy, come around the corner for a more peaceful portrait session.
Keep exploring London:
Things to Do in the Cotswolds (in the 5 Best Villages)
London Pub Guide: The Best Pubs, History, and What to Drink
Is a Day Trip from London to Paris Worth It? (+ the best way to go)
How to Add the Best London Museums to Your Trip
We recommend putting a few of these London museums on your itinerary. If you’re staying for three days, try to hop into one or two museums. If you’re staying for longer, lucky you, make it three or four.
Due to their location and free entry, it is convenient to hop into these museums while out in London. Grab a coffee or tea to warm up and pursue the collection for as long as you are interested.
During our One Perfect Day in London Free itinerary download, you will walk right past the HMS Belfast and the Tate Modern. The tour starts at the Tower of London which has numerous exhibits and artifacts on display, such as the Crown Jewels. Download that one-page itinerary here.
Have an engaging and cultural trip to London!
Free Download!
1 DAY IN LONDON ITINERARY
If you have limited time in this capital city, don’t miss out. Our one day itinerary takes you to great spots on an easy walking tour of London.
Download to your phone and take it on the go.
