These top 10 London museums will make you love the city even more
There are plenty of things to do in London (things to do London) apart from taking a trip to its theme parks (theme parks London). Some say a visit here isn’t complete without stepping into at least one of its many museums.
To help you navigate where to go, I’ve rounded up the best London museums, and I guarantee you won’t look at the city the same way again.
1. The British Museum
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Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Contact Details: +442073238000
Operating Hours:
- Sat–Thurs: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Fri: 10:00am – 8:30pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
If you’re looking for an educational weekend, you’d want to check out The British Museum with over 60 galleries within its walls.
Its collections house artifacts that encompass cultures of China, Egypt, the Americas, and Africa. Their exhibitions also have themes like death and memory, and desire, love, and identity.
Touring inside the museum, you can utilize their free Wi-Fi to download the museum’s audio app that has available resources like 65 free gallery introductions and self-guided tours.
Kids and adults alike will be intrigued by the chance to handle objects in some collections like Roman Britain, China, and South Asia. It adds a layer of familiarity by being able to touch actual artifacts.
The museum’s Court Cafe and Great Court Restaurant are perfect if you want to take a break in between galleries.
| Pro tip: Take breaks at the museum’s cafe and restaurant in between exhibition exploration, so you can budget your energy better. You could also go early in the morning before visitors crowd the museum. |
2. Natural History Museum
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Website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Contact Details: +442079425000
Operating Hours:
- Daily: 10:00am – 5:50pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
- Special exhibitions: Starts at £14
It’s easy to lose oneself at the Natural History Museum because of the variety of fossils, specimens, and resources they have.
Among the specimens preserved in spirit, visitors can see unusual images like a preserved head of a giraffe, and a chewed up squid from a whale’s stomach.
The exhibitions are curated according to categories like dinosaurs, mammals, amphibians, and creepy crawlies like centipedes and spiders. They have an exhibition on minerals, too, if you’re into geology.
It’s great that the museum is accessible to everyone as they have tactile and braille books, and large-print gallery guides.
| Pro tip: If you’re joining the museum’s immersive garden tour, make sure to dress for the outdoors. The tour lasts for an hour, so comfort is key to making the most of the experience. |
3. Victoria and Albert Museum
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Website: https://www.vam.ac.uk/
Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Contact Details: +442079422000
Operating Hours:
- Sat–Thurs: 10:00am – 5:45pm
- Fri: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
Sprinkled around the gallery are examples of decorative art that showcase the power of creativity. Regardless of your background, you’d surely get creative inspiration from this museum.
The museum’s collections are a visual treat with the vast variety of jewellery, embroidery, textiles, photography, and stained glass objects. They have traditional arts, too, like paintings.
Apart from their collections, keep an eye out for their well-curated temporary exhibitions. Through the years, they’ve held Design and Disability, Cartier, and Marie Antoinette exhibitions.
| Pro tip: Plan your trip ahead by checking out their collections online, so you could prioritize which exhibitions to visit first. It’s best to manage your energy efficiently, so you can maximize your visit. |
4. Science Museum
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Website: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
Address: Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Contact Details: +443300580058
Operating Hours:
- Daily: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
The Science Museum isn’t just for geeks and nerds! It’s a fun opportunity to bring the whole family to bond over interesting science facts and discoveries.
Visitors hope to find unique exhibitions, and the Science Museum does not disappoint. They have exhibitions on the future of food, and all things space.
You’d discover historical objects like the rotative engines by Boulton and Watt from 1788. They even have a portfolio of drawings from their reproduction plans.
The museum also has pieces that show scenes and creative interpretations of the Bubonic Plague.
With all the interesting discoveries that await, make a productive learning experience out of your visit by taking advantage of the museum’s programmes, like being able to organise a group tour for your community.
| Pro tip: The museum holds Home Educators Days for home schooling families, so check their website for the posted schedule when planning to visit. This is a great opportunity for kids and parents to learn from fellow home schooling families, too. |
5. Tate Modern
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Website: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern
Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Contact Details: +442078878888
Operating Hours:
- Sun–Thurs: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Fri–Sat: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
Tate Modern feeds and nourishes the soul with British art from the 16th century to the present day. The museum also houses international modern and contemporary art, so your visit is sure to be a fulfilling one.
Their collection includes some of the big names in the art world such as Francis Bacon, Pacita Abad, Piet Mondrian, and Mark Rothko.
They offer learning resources, too, for educators who need ideas on how to communicate certain concepts and stories to students like Yoko Ono’s childhood and imagination.
The museum also holds workshops now and then, so make sure to check their calendar before visiting.
| Pro tip: Download the Tate Modern map on their website prior to your visit, so you could plan your exploration strategy ahead of time. It’s recommended to start at the Blavatnik Building and work your way down. |
6. Imperial War Museum London
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Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/
Address: Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ
Contact Details: +442074165000
Operating Hours:
- Daily: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
Curiosity and an open mind are what you need when exploring the Imperial War Museum. It would be interesting to bring kids here, too, so they can be exposed to historical lessons.
Their collection includes a wide variety of artifacts such as uniforms, vehicles, and aircraft. The photographs from World War I also enhance the experience of discovering historical tidbits.
On display are mementoes, medals, and equipment from the war, too.
To complement your visit, especially if you’re with kids, the museum offers classroom resources, so you’d want to check it out whenever you’re planning to drop by.
| Pro tip: Whether you’re going with young ones or not, it’s best to prepare yourself and your party with the heavy themes that await. The museum does not hold back when it comes to war narratives like the Holocaust and the world wars. |
7. The National Gallery
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Website: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Contact Details: +442077472885
Operating Hours:
- Sat–Thurs: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Fri: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
If you haven’t been to The National Gallery, you’d want to check it out. This is a treasure trove especially for art buffs.
The museum collection includes art history greats like Vermeer, Titian, Cezanne, and Rubens. Art enthusiasts will be overwhelmed by their glory.
For those who aren’t very familiar with them, though, there’s no need to worry. The museum has an audio guide for visitors to enjoy.
Take note of their guided tour schedule, too, which happens on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
| Pro tips: The National Gallery has a SEND programme that is designed for students with special needs and disabilities. You’d want to check this out for school visits. Don’t forget to drop by the shop, too, where kids can find activity books on art. |
8. Design Museum
Media credit: designmuseum
Website: https://designmuseum.org/
Address: 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG
Contact Details: +442038625937
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Thurs: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Fri–Sun: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Members: Free admission
- Adult: Starts at £19.69
Even though it’s called the Design Museum, this place is not just for designers and creatives. This is also for those who are interested to learn about the various expressions of design around us.
Its exhibitions present design in its diverse iterations such as in fashion, product design, furniture, and technology.
The museum welcomes young ones, too, so your future designer kid can enjoy the experience as much as you do. They hold Design Camps now and then where kids can engage in creative workshops with fellow young creators.
Apart from their kids programme, they also have self-guided tours and workshops for school visits. Teachers will be happy to know that the museum also provides learning resources like exhibition notes and lesson plans that can be used in the classroom.
| Pro tips: If you’re visiting their shop, make sure not to miss the Exhibition Shop, which is inspired by their current main gallery exhibitions. It’s a great way to make your visit more memorable. The museum is committed to design education, so designers who want to push their skills further might be interested in inquiring about their MA Curating Contemporary Design course. |
9. Churchill War Rooms
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Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms
Address: King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ
Contact Details: +442074165000
Operating Hours:
- Sun–Thurs: 9:30am – 6:00pm
- Fri–Sat: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Adult: £33
- Child (aged 5 to 15): £16.50
- Child (under 5): Free
While history can be complicated to keep up with for some of us, the museum offers an accessible inside look at what went down in the past.
The Churchill War Rooms has permanent exhibitions that are rich in historical narratives. They have the Cabinet War Rooms, the Churchill Museum, and Uncover: Life in Churchill’s Bunker.
These exhibitions contain intriguing artifacts like Churchill’s noiseless typewriter, and his siren suit. The Map Room is also a fascinating feature as it shows where most of the war strategies were planned.
You can also book a private tour, if you’re a group of 10 or less. For an hour, you’ll be led by an expert tour guide who can give in-depth insights of the museum and its artifacts.
| Pro tip: Remember not to wear sharp heels when visiting. Apart from choosing comfort, it’s also a way of protecting the historic floors from damage. |
10. London Transport Museum
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Website: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/
Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London
Contact Details: +443432225000
Operating Hours:
- Daily: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Unlimited Annual Pass: Starts at £20
- Off Peak Annual Pass: £22.50
- Annual Pass Plus: £70
The London Transport Museum delves into 200 years of design, innovation, and stories in transport history. You’d want to check out this place if you’re drawn to London’s wheels and everything for transit.
Upon exploring the museum, you’d be captivated by the rich heritage of London’s transportation. The objects feature historic snapshots of how Londoners travel across the city.
They also have exhibitions of actual transportation vehicles like a tramway vehicle from 1882, and a railway vehicle from 1866.
You can plan school visits, too, especially since the museum is perfect for teaching STEM solutions and design concepts.
| Pro tip: Marvel at the graphic design treasure trove at their shop with all the posters and decor that are available for you to take home. Don’t miss out! |