Best Museums in London – 10 Fantastic Places You Must Visit!

When planning a visit to London, you’ll be spoilt for choice by the number of fantastic museums and galleries to choose from. Regardless of whether you are interested in art, history, science, or design, you’ll find something to suit your interests in London. Today we’re going to share with you our suggestions for the best museums in London to visit on your next trip, many of which offer free entry to visitors.

Science Museum

Located in South Kensington, the Science Museum offers free admission to everyone. It’s an incredible hands-on museum that celebrates the scientific achievements of humans. They offer many award-winning exhibitions, many of which rotate and switch out on a regular basis. This is one of the top museums to bring kids and teens to in the city and is without a doubt one of the best free museums in London.

Victoria and Albert Museum

South Kensington is one of the best areas to stay in if you plan to visit plenty of museums on your next trip to London. Right by the South Kensington underground station, you’ll find the Victoria & Albert Museum. The museum was founded all the way back in 1852 and contains over 2.27 million different objects for visitors to see. It’s the world’s largest museum of its type and focuses on art, design and sculpture. The Victoria and Albert Museum is free to visit for all guests.

The British Museum

Entry to the British Museum is free, although there are some paid exhibitions you can add to your visit. Located in Bloomsbury, this museum houses eight million different items and features exhibits regarding history, culture, and art. You’ll find a whole host of different exhibits which work to tell the story of our history as humans. Popular exhibitions you won’t want to miss here include the Rosetta Stone, the Holy Thorn Reliquary, and the Bust of Ramesses the Great.

Tate Modern

Located in Bankside, the Tate Modern is one of the best museums in London for anyone who is interested in modern art. Admission is free, but some of the semi-permanent attractions do require a booked and paid ticket. There is always something new and exciting to see at the Tate Modern, and you’ll find many of the exhibitions are very thought-provoking and unique. It’s one of the most visited art galleries in London and the world and has multiple floors and galleries to explore during your visit.

Natural History Museum

Another fantastic free museum in South Kensington is the Natural History Museum. You’ll want to dedicate at least three or four hours to your visit, but history buffs could easily spend all day exploring its various exhibits. The museum is home to over 70 million specimens, which include dinosaur fossils, a dodo skeleton, moon rock, and plants from around the world.

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is part of the Royal Museums in Greenwich, where you’ll enjoy learning about nautical history throughout its exhibits. You’ll explore maps, artwork, artefacts, and much more in its galleries. With over 2.5 million items to view, one of the highlights of a visit here is seeing Admiral Nelson’s uniform. This is another one of the top free museums in London and is a little quieter than some of the other best museums in the city.

Museum of London

If you are looking to learn more about the capital city’s history during your visit to London, head to the Museum of London. Located in the City of London, near to the Barbican Centre, this museum documents the history of London from prehistoric times to the modern-day. It’s another great free day out during your trip to London and has a wide variety of rotating exhibits throughout the year.

The National Gallery

Art lovers won’t want to miss visiting The National Gallery, which is one of the most popular galleries in London. It’s free to enter, and showcases work from world-famous artists including Michelangelo, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Da Vinci. There are over two thousand pieces of art showcased here, and there are also more exhibitions and concerts that you can add to your visit for an additional charge. The National Gallery is located in Trafalgar Square, so it’s perfect for adding on to a day of sightseeing in the city centre.

London Transport Museum

Transport is such a huge part of life in London. Between the underground, red buses, and black taxis, these iconic vehicles are something visitors love to explore during a trip to the city. Located in Covent Garden, the London Transport Museum showcases the history of transport in the country, from the time of horsepower to the modern-day. It costs £18.50 for adults to visit, but children aged seventeen and under are free. After your visit, you’ll enjoy dining and shopping in the nearby Covent Garden Market.

Imperial War Museum

London has a fascinating history to discover, and visitors will enjoy exploring recreations of the trenches from WWI and the Blitz at the Imperial War Museum. You’ll love seeing planes, tanks and other military items throughout this museum near Lambeth North and Elephant & Castle tube stations. There is no cost to enter this museum, making it another great free museum in London.

London has so many incredible museums to visit, regardless of your interests and passions. As you can see, the majority of the city’s museums are completely free to enter. Before your visit, we recommend checking out their official websites, as current restrictions do require you to book a free timed ticket for entrance due to limited capacities. There are also ever-changing exhibitions, which you may want to upgrade your ticket to include for your next visit. During a trip to London, you could easily spend your whole visit exploring these museums. You’ll want to return to the city over and again just to see a few new museums and galleries in London on your next trip.