London is a big, bustling city full of things to do. As the capital of the United Kingdom, it is also full of history, art and culture. This means that some of the world’s best museums can be found in London. If you’re looking for a fun, insightful or interactive way to spend a day in The Big Smoke, Expat Explore has you covered with our list of London’s best museums!
One of the best things about museums in London is that many of them are completely free to visit! However, there may be charges for special exhibits and some still require a booking due to popularity. Donations are also encouraged to keep these museums in pristine condition. Read on to discover our top picks for London museums!
Related: Discover the best museums in Amsterdam.
Your ultimate London museum guide:
British Museum
Starting off with the world’s oldest national public museum, the British Museum is a real London institution. Founded in 1753 and first opened in 1759, this museum is even older than the USA! Despite its name, the British Museum is far more renowned for its international treasures than British objects.
The Rosetta Stone, a stone tablet which dates back to 196 BC is the museum’s most famous item and the reason most people visit. There are also a number of Egyptian mummies on display as well as notable artworks from the likes of Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Monet!
Tate Modern & Tate Britain
The Tate Modern and the Tate Britain are two separate museums which form part of the Tate collection (there are four Tate galleries in the UK in total). The Tate Modern is a must for modern art lovers as it features artworks from celebrated global artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Warhol and Kusama. From paintings to sculptures and large-scale installations, the Tate Modern collection is sure to impress any art aficionado.
On the other hand, the Tate Britain celebrates British artists from the last 500 years. It is well known for housing the largest collection of JMW Turner artworks. Other top artists to look out for at the Tate Britain include Francis Bacon, John Everett Millais and David Hockney.
Related: Explore these top European art galleries!
London Transport Museum
Discover the history and captivating tales behind some of London’s most iconic symbols – black cabs, the London Underground and red double-decker buses! This is also one of the best London museums for kids with a range of interactive and family-friendly displays. See the world‘s first underground steam train, get behind the wheel of the Tube driving simulator and admire unique artworks celebrating London’s transport.
It is necessary to purchase an annual pass to visit the museum, which will allow you to visit the museum as many times as you like in one year. However, children under 17 years of age can enter the museum for free! The Transport Museum also offers Hidden London tours which uncover lesser-known tube stations, old war shelters and secret corridors!
The Exhibition Road Museums
Located in South Kensington, Exhibition Road is home to three top museums: the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Each of these museums cater to specific interests and feature impressive collections. It is possible to visit all of these museums in one day, however, you need to give yourself around 2 hours per museum given the scale of the exhibits.
If science, nature or architecture delights you then a visit to London’s Natural History Museum is an unmissable experience. Admire a massive blue whale skeleton and ancient fossils as well as the building’s ornate architecture. Fashion, design and art lovers will be in their element at the Victoria and Albert Museum, while curious minds will never be bored with the Science Museum’s interactive galleries exploring, space, mathematics, medicine and technology. This is another great option for kids as both a fun and educational experience.
Related: For something different, visit the world’s quirkiest museums!
Imperial War Museum
To delve deep into Britain’s war history, a visit to London’s Imperial War Museum is a must. Experience immersive displays which tell the powerful tales of war experiences from WWI until the present day. Both the First World War and Second World War galleries are particularly impressive, containing real-life objects from those personally affected by the wars. The Holocaust exhibition became the first permanent exhibition of its kind in the UK when it opened in 2001.
Nearby and still part of the Imperial War Museum collection is Churchill’s War Rooms. Here, embark on a guided tour, explore the exhibits with an audio guide or even enjoy a spot of afternoon tea in the secret underground headquarters where important, strategic military decisions were made during WWII!
There are so many fascinating museums in London that we couldn’t possibly list them all. However, with the diverse array of things to see and do at the museums listed above, you certainly won’t be bored on your trip to England’s capital!
Discover London and the very best of Great Britain on this 7-day tour with Expat Explore!