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21 Best Museums in London | Highlights, Ticket Information & More

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If you love museums and galleries, then you are in for a treat while visiting London. With the British Museum, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum, there are hundreds to choose from. Since a lot is free, it won’t cost you a penny to see what the place has to offer. Discover the 21 best museums in London right here.

Top 21 Best Museums in London

museums in london - british museum

1. The British Museum

Art Museum

Wander through the famous British Museum and explore works from the prehistoric era to modern times, collected from around the world.

Why Visit: The main galleries are free. Don’t miss out on the Rosetta Stone, the mummies in the Ancient Egypt Collection, and the Parthenon sculptures.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Great Ruddell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london - natural history museum

2. Natural History Museum

History Museum

A museum that exhibits a collection of the rarest specimens in the world. It has around 80 million plant, animal, fossil, and mineral specimens.

Why Visit: Come across animatronic dinosaurs, a giant sequoia tree, glow-in-the-dark crystals, a man-sized model of a foetus and so much more!

Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london- Imperial War Museum

3. Imperial War Museum

History Museum

The Imperial War Museum puts light on people’s experience of conflict from World War I until date. It has permanent galleries and temporary displays.

Why Visit:  Check out an extensive collection of profoundly moving and troubling permanent Holocaust galleries and temporary displays of recent conflicts.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address:  Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london National Maritime Museum

4. National Maritime Museum

History Museum

A part of the Royal Museums, Greenwich, stroll your way through all things nautical; from artefacts, maps, art, and memorabilia.

Why Visit: Be awestruck by more than 2.5 million items of history, such as Admiral Nelson’s uniform from the battle of Trafalgar.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london - Science Museum

5. Science Museum

Science Museum

With hands-on exhibits spread out across seven floors, take a ride through the invention and history of the shiny machines.

Why Visit: Come across the astonishing ‘Information Age’ exhibition, a 16th-century artificial arm, a cross-section of a real-life Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london - Design Museum

6. Design Museum

Art Museum

The Design Museum in London displays a fascinating bunch of contemporary designs in all forms, right from the temporary exhibition, bookable displays, and more.

Why Visit: Enjoy a short walk at the museum’s new home in Kensington. Try exotic inexpensive authentic Italian cuisine at Pappa Roma.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Sun-Thu), 10 AM – 9 PM (Fri-Sat)

Address: Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london - London Transport Museum

7. London Transport Museum

History Museum

Set foot into the Transport Museum and dive into the history of London’s transport mechanism, right from horsepower, with loads of contraptions to climb aboard.

Why Visit:  Take a single ticket and explore great exhibits and multiple visits for an entire year at the London Transport Museum.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address:  London Transport Museum, The Piazza, London WC2E 7BB, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london Sir John Soane’s Museum

8. Sir John Soane’s Museum

History Museum

The Museum is the London home of architect Sir John Soane, whose collections of art, furniture and architectural ornamentation are on display.

Why Visit: The décor at Soane’s home is worth admiring. See the mirrors and lights well channelling the sunlight, cabinets within walls displaying paintings and more.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Wed-Sun), Closed (Mon-Tue)

Address: Sir John Soane's Museum, 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london - Museum of London

9. Museum of London

History Museum

The Museum of London talks about the history of London, from prehistoric times to the modern present. Discover original artefacts found during the archaeological digs.

Why Visit: See how the collections are put in place to represent the capital’s history in every walk of life.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Museum of London, 150 London Wall, Barbican, London EC2Y 5HN, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london - victoria and albert museum

10. Victoria and Albert Museum

History Museum

A vibrant hub known for displaying decorative art, design, fashion and textiles, that houses a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects.

Why Visit: Stroll through some amazing art and grab a piece of cake in the sunny Italianate courtyard. Also, many exhibits are free to visit.

Timings: 10 AM – 5:45 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address:  Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london - Royal Museums

11. Royal Museums Greenwich

History Museum

Royal Museums Greenwich comprises four museums in Greenwich. The observatory is situated on a hill and overlooks the river Thames.

Why Visit: See how the prime meridian marks the divide in the middle of the eastern and western hemispheres.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Royal Observatory Greenwich, Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ, United Kingdom. Find on map

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best museums in london bank of england

12. Bank of England Museum

History Museum

Discover the fascinating history of the Bank of England, right from its foundation in 1694 to its role presently as the nation’s central bank.

Why Visit: Marvel at ancient gold bars and their market equivalent, and learn all about bank notes and the people celebrated on them.

Timings:  10 AM – 5 PM (Mon-Fri), Closed (Sat-Sun)

Address: Bank of England Museum, Bartholomew Ln, London EC2R 8AH, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london Tate museums

13. Tate Modern

Art Museum

An art gallery that houses UK’s some of the national collections of international modern and contemporary art, forming part of the Tate group with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St. Ives.

Why Visit: Head to the top level of the Blavatnik Building to visit the free viewing platform and get a great panoramic view of London.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Find on map

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museums in london Royal Academy of Arts

14. Royal Academy of Arts

Art Museum

Founded by artists and architects in the 1760s, the Royal Academy highlight the permanent collection from more than two centures, from William Turner to Tracery Emin.

Why Visit: Don’t miss out on the annual Summer Exhibition held without interruption since 1769, the oldest open-submission exhibitions in the world.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Tue-Sun), Closed on Mon

Address: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london Wallace Collection

15. The Wallace Collection

Art Museum

The Wallace Collection is home to a group of European paintings from the 15th to 19th centuries, which covers a range of subjects, landscapes to portraits.

Why Visit: Witness the gallery that is remarkable for its quality and breath. See masterpieces by Canaletto, Rubens, and exhibitions on fashions, ceramics and more.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN, UK. Find on map

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museums in london Horniman Museum

16. Horniman Museum

History Museum

The Horniman Museum is truly a nature lover’s dream! Founded in 1901 by Frederick John Horniman, he used this space to display his private collection of natural history.

Why Visit: Check out the African art or visit the tiny aquarium. Don’t miss out on the conservatory, which provides views over the rolling gardens.

Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ, UK. Find on map

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best museums in london museum of brands

17. Museum of Brands

History Museum

The Museum of Brands takes you down a memory lane and allows you an understanding of consumer culture from Victorian times to current day.

Why Visit: Take a look at some of your favourite brands like Marmite, Cadbury and more, and see how it has evolved over the years.

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Museum of Brands, 111-117 Lancaster Rd, London W11 1QT, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london Fashion and Textile Museum

18. Fashion and Textile Museum

Art Museum

The Fashion and Textile Museum exhibits a roster of temporary exhibitions, then putting up a permanent collection. Designer Zandra Rhodes put up 50 years of her fashion line on display.

Why Visit: It showcases works of outstanding British and International designers, allowing one to recognise Britain’s success in the fashion industry.

Timings: 11 AM – 6 PM (Tue-Sat), Closed (Sun-Mon)

Address: Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Ber. Find on map.

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museums in london Dulwich Picture Gallery

19. Dulwich Picture Gallery

Art Museum

The picture gallery displays a significant collection of 17th and 18th century European Old Masters, in a building by Sir John Soane.

Why Visit: See for yourself the innovative techniques used to bathe the whole gallery in sunlight. Check out Baroque masterpieces on the walls.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Mon-Sun)

Address: Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Rd, London SE21 7AD, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london Charles Dickens Museum

20. Charles Dickens Museum

History Museum

Charles Dickens Museum is an author’s house museum where Charles Dickens’ novels come to life inside this beautiful Georgian terraced house.

Why Visit: Have an insight into all original manuscripts, letters and portraits that puts light into the life of Britain’s favourite writer.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Wed-Sun), Closed (Mon-Tue)

Address: Charles Dickens Museum, 48-49 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX, United Kingdom. Find on map

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museums in london Churchill War Rooms

21. Churchill War Rooms

History Museum

A secret underground headquarters where Winston Churchill lived and spent endless hours plotting during the Second World War.

Why Visit: Discover what kind of operations went on during the war, along with sounds and speeches of the time.

Timings: 9:30 AM – 6 PM (Wed-Sun), Closed (Mon-Tue)

Address: Imperial War Museums, Churchill War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ, United Kingdom -Find it on a map

from £25

Art Museums in London

Discover some of the best art museums in London

museums in london National Gallery

National Gallery

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museums in london The British Museum

The British Museum

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museums in london Victoria and Albert Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum

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museums in london Tate Britain

Tate Britain

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museums in london National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery

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museums in london Sir John Soane’s Museum

Sir John Soane’s Museum

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museums in london Royal Academy of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts

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museums in london The Queen’s Gallery

The Queen’s Gallery

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museums in london Wallace Collection

Wallace Collection

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museums in london Courtauld Gallery

The Courtauld Gallery

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History Museums in London

Explore some of the most intriguing history museums in London.

museums in london British Museum

The British Museum

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museums in london Churchill war room

Churchill War Rooms

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museums in london Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

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museums in london Imperial War Museum London

Imperial War Museum London

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museums in london Museum of London

Museum of London

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museums in london British Library

British Library

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museums in london Museum of London Docklands

Museum of London Docklands

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museums in london London Transport Museum

London Transport Museum

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museums in london freud museum

Freud Museum

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museums in london Freemason’s Hall

Freemason’s Hall

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Science Museums in London

Indulge in the world of science and technology with these science museums in London.

museums in london Science Museum London

Science Museum

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museums in london Royal Air Force Museum London

Royal Air Force Museum London

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museums in london The British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum

The British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum

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museums in london Science Gallery London

Science Gallery London

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museums in london Science Museum London

UCL Geology Collections

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museums in london Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

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museums in london Royal Observatory

Royal Observatory

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museums in london The Wellcome Collection

Wellcome Collection

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museums in london The Old Operating Theatre Museum

The Old Operating Theatre Museum

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museums in london The Faraday Museum at the Royal Institute

The Faraday Museum at the Royal Institute

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museums in london Grant Museum of Zoology

Grant Museum of Zoology

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museums in london Brunel Museum

Brunel Museum

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Entertainment Museums in London

Gear up for some fun at these entertainment museums in London!

the old operating theatre museum

The Old Operating Theatre Museum

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science museum.

Science Museum

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The British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum

The British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum

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Royal Observatory

Royal Observatory

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Faraday Museum

The Faraday Museum at the Royal Institute

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Tips for Visiting Museums in London

Opening Hours: Most of the museums in London open around 10 AM and close between 5-6 PM. Note that some museums in London may not allow you to enter half an hour before closing time. For more specific information about opening hours it's best to visit a specific museum's website.

Entry Fee: A majority of popular museums in London like the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the National Maritime Museum offer free entry. For other museums in London, admission costs approximately range from £5 to £10.

Avoid crowds: Museums in London are extremely popular among tourists and can get crowded very quickly. To avoid long queues and major crowds, visit your preferred museum right during opening hours to avoid atleast some of the crowds.

​London Travel Tips

Frequently Asked Questions About Museums in London

What are the top 3 museums in London?
  1. Natural History Museum
  2. Churchill War Rooms
  3. British Museum
Which is the most-visited museum in London?

The Natural History Museum is the most visited museum in London, with over 1.3M visitors annually.

Are there any art museums in London?
  1. Tate Modern 
  2. Victoria and Albert Museum
  3. National Gallery
What are some must-see artifacts or exhibits in the museums of London?
  1. The Lewis Chessmen | British Museum
  2. Nude Woman With Necklace by Pablo Picasso (1968) | Tate Modern
  3. Dinosaur skeletons | Natural History Museums
Are there any science museums in London?
  1. Natural History Museum
  2. The Science Museum
Are there any entertainment museums in London?
  1. Madame Tussauds
  2. The Great Hall and Diagon Alley
  3. Jack the Ripper Museum
What are the top museums in London for kids?
  1. London Transport Museum
  2. Imperial War Museum
  3. Science Museum
How much do museum tickets usually cost in London?

Certain entertainment museums such as Warner Brother Studios have an entry fee of £104, while certain museums such as the Clink Prison Museum charge entry fees as low as £8.

Are there any discounts on London museum tickets for kids?

UK National Museums are generally free to enter. In the case of paid entry, most museums allow children below a certain age to enter for free. Do refer to the museum’s website for more details.

Are there any free museums in London?
  1. British Museum 
  2. Tate Modern 
  3. Natural History Museum 
  4. Science Museum 
  5. Victoria and Albert Museum
Are there any hidden gems or lesser-known museums in London?
  1. Churchill War Rooms 
  2. HMS Belfast 
  3. Horniman Museum
  4. Wellcome Collection
Is there an age limit for entering museums in London?

There are usually no age limits to enter museums. Certain exhibits deemed inappropriate for children might be off-limits, but children are allowed entry into museums. Usually, children below 16 have to be accompanied by an adult.

Are museums in London accessible to all?
  1. Motor disabilities by providing step-free access and ramps for wheelchairs 
  2. Visual disabilities by providing audio descriptive guides 
  3. Audio disabilities by providing guides fluent in sign language
Is there a dress code for museums in London?

London museums do not enforce any dress codes. It is advisable to dress comfortably and modestly, while being respectful of the local culture.

Do museums in London involve a lot of walking?

Yes, visiting a museum in London would take atleast 3-4 hours, a lot of which would involve moving from one exhibit to another. Do make sure to wear comfortable shoes for the outing.