Not only does London have one of the broadest range of museums in the world, many of them are publicly owned and absolutely free to visit. So, unless you find yourself irrepressibly drawn to the gift shop, these top 10 London museums offer a fascinating and thrifty day out.
1. For Art and Design: Victoria & Albert Museum
Welcoming almost 4 million visitors each year, the V&A is undeniably the address for art and design in London. Founded in 1852, the V&A is the largest museum of its kind in the world, with a permanent collection of over 2.2 million items. Special exhibitions are always expertly curated and worth a visit. Great children’s activity packs too.
Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL
Entry: Free
2. For (Dead) Animals: Natural History Museum
We have a lot to thank the Victorians for when it comes to museums in London. The Natural History Museum is an absolute masterpiece of architecture, and that’s before we even get to the extensive collection of animals and other artefacts that grace the museum’s vast exhibition halls. Great for fans of dinosaurs, and art students who want to sketch animals that won’t run away.
Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Entry: Free
3. For Technology Fanatics: Science Museum
An inspirational exposition of scientific and technological advancements, from mechanical innovations of the industrial revolution to the cutting edge technology powering the space age of tomorrow. There’s an amazing interactive children’s zone for hands-on learning.
Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Entry: Free
4. For Nature: Kew Gardens
500 acres of beautifully presented gardens and woodlands await you at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in Richmond. Publicly funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Kew is internationally respected as the largest and most diverse botanical garden in the world. It’s even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quite the accolade.
Address: Richmond, London TW9 3AE
Entry: £19.50 (peak season, on the door), discounts available for advance bookings and off peak months
5. For Tubes and Buses: London Transport Museum
London is known for its transport system. The “Tube” is either loved as the oldest underground railway in the world, or hated for its patchy weekend service and delays. “Mind The Gap” is so ingrained into the London psyche that most Londoners can lip sync the announcements with precision timing. The London Transport Museum collection, in Covent Garden, has trains, buses and other memorabilia stretching back over 100 years.
Address: Covent Garden, London WC2E 7BB
Entry: £18.50 (annual pass)
6. For Wizards: Harry Potter Studio Tour
Take the trip out of central London to Leavesden, the actual, legit site where the blockbuster Harry Potter films were shot. Transformed into a breathtaking immersive experience, this studio brings you face to face with the props and creatures from the film franchise. Walk in the real sets, and discover some of the secrets that brought the magic to life on screen.
Address: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR
Entry: £49.95
7. For Anyone Called Pat: Postal Museum
Voyage deep underground and discover the unseen story of the Royal Mail’s herculaneum task of delivering post across the country. Book tickets to ride on the Mail Rail for a taste of what it was like to be a parcel in London back in the day. Claustrophobic? Sit this part out!
Address: 15-20 Phoenix Pl, London WC1X 0DA
Entry: £17 (on the door), discounts available if you book in advance online
8. For World History: The British Museum
Travel the length and breadth of the globe in this world-class museum. Visit Ancient Egypt, Medieval Japan, and Renaissance Europe. Two-million years of human history awaits you.
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Entry: Free
9. For Art Lovers: The National Gallery
With a focus on European art, the National Gallery houses some of the standout highlights of the nation’s art collection, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Da Vinci. Explore the story of European art from classical religious art, through the Enlightenment to the modern day.
Address: Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DN
Entry: Free
10. For Military History: Imperial War Museum
Learn about the military history of the small island that once ruled half the world. Britain’s naval history is swimming with dramatic tales of conquest and the gallery’s permanent exhibitions on the Holocaust and Second World War provide opportunity for sombre reflection.
Address: Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ
Entry: Free