13 best museums in London to explore the city’s story
Ever look around London and think, “Wow, this city’s got a crazy history!” Every place does, right?
If you’re curious to go beyond just admiring it and want to dive into its story, there are some awesome museums you and your family can check out. Not only will you learn something new, but it’s also a fun way to spend the day.
Keep reading to discover our top picks for the best museums in London!
1. The British Museum
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Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Contact details: +44 20 7323 8299
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Friday: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
The British Museum is packed with history and culture, making it a must-visit spot in London. Opened way back in 1753, it was the first public museum of its kind and now houses over eight million objects that tell stories from two million years of human history.
Some highlights you can’t miss include the Rosetta Stone, which helped crack the code of Egyptian hieroglyphs. There’s also the fascinating Egyptian mummies that give you a peek into ancient burial customs.
The best part? It’s free to enter! Just make sure to book a timed entry ticket in advance.
Some special exhibitions, though, might have a fee. If you’re feeling generous, a £5 donation helps keep the museum running smoothly.
Pro tip:
Don’t miss the Great Court Restaurant for a unique dining experience under the museum’s iconic glass roof. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a day of exploring one of the world’s most remarkable collections.
2. Victoria and Albert Museum
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Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Contact details: +44 20 7942 2000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 5:45 PM
- Friday: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5:45 PM
Price: Free
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London is a must-see for anyone into art and design. It’s the world’s biggest museum dedicated to decorative arts, with over 2.8 million objects covering 5,000 years of history.
The V&A sits in a cultural area called “Albertopolis,” home to the Natural History Museum and Science Museum. It’s easy to get there—just a five-minute walk from South Kensington Tube station, and buses are plenty.
The collection is super diverse, with everything from fashion to furniture. You’ll find clothes and textiles dating back to 1750, plus amazing art from South Asia, China, and more.
Entry is free, though some special exhibitions might charge a small fee.
Pro tip:
Make sure to see Tipu’s Tiger, a stunning 18th-century automaton commissioned by Tipu Sultan. It’s a powerful symbol of resistance, featuring a tiger attacking a British soldier. It even plays sounds when you crank it!
3. Natural History Museum
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Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Contact details: +44 20 7942 5000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5:50 PM
Price: Free
The Natural History Museum is packed with amazing stuff, from jaw-dropping architecture to incredible collections that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. It’s in South Kensington, right in the Museum Quarter alongside the Science Museum and the V&A.
The building is seriously impressive. It has this grand Victorian design, intricate carvings, and fancy brickwork. Because it’s so huge and awe-inspiring, people even call it a “cathedral of nature.”
Inside, there are over 80 million specimens to explore. Highlights include the iconic dinosaur skeletons (don’t miss the life-sized blue whale in Hintze Hall), cool plant collections, and dazzling minerals and gemstones.
Pro tip:
Skip the crowds by using the Exhibition Road entrance instead of Cromwell Road for quicker access.
4. London Transport Museum
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Address: 39 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7BB
Contact details: +44 343 222 5000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Price: $
The London Transport Museum is a fun and fascinating place to explore over 200 years of transport history and see how it shaped London’s culture. With historic vehicles, hands-on exhibits, and cool design pieces to check out, there’s something for everyone.
You’ll find everything from horse-drawn omnibuses and double-decker trams to steam trains and modern tube carriages. You can even sit in the driver’s seat of a classic red bus or try a tube train simulator.
Kids will love the All Aboard play zone, where they can explore mini vehicles. Families can have fun with the Stamper Trail, collecting stamps at 13 spots around the museum, just like vintage ticket stamping!
Pro tip:
Kick off your visit on the top floor and head down—it’s set up to take you through transport history in order, from the 1800s to modern times.
5. Sir John Soane’s Museum
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Address: 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP
Contact details: +44 20 7405 2107
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
Price: Free
Sir John Soane’s Museum is packed with cool stuff from the famous architect who designed the Bank of England. It’s spread across three Georgian townhouses that Soane turned into his personal space to display his huge collection of art, antiques, and architectural models.
Inside, you’ll find about 40,000 items. This includes works by Canaletto, Turner, and Hogarth, along with ancient artefacts and architectural models. The most impressive piece? The Egyptian sarcophagus of Pharaoh Seti I, which Soane beat the British Museum to buy.
For a deeper dive, you can join a free guided tour of Soane’s private apartments or book the £12.50 Highlights Tour. They also offer evening candlelit tours, Soane Lates, but arrive early because they get busy.
Pro tip:
Keep your bag small when visiting the museum. They also require smaller bags to be placed in plastic covers to protect the artefacts, so packing light will make your entry much quicker and smoother.
6. Museum of Brands
Media credits: museumofbrands
Address: 111-117 Lancaster Rd, London W11 1QT
Contact details: +44 20 7243 9611
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Price: $
The Museum of Brands is a fun place to visit if you’re curious about the history of consumer culture. It’s just a short walk from Portobello Road Market and takes you through the world of branding, packaging, and advertising from Victorian times to today.
One of the highlights is the Time Tunnel, where you can explore how brands have changed over the years, influenced by technology and shifts in how people shop. The collection is full of nostalgic stuff like toys, food packaging, and old ads.
The museum also features temporary exhibits on cool topics like how brands connect with social issues or the toys that shaped our childhoods.
Pro tip:
Don’t miss the museum’s themed trails and self-guided worksheets! They’re a great way to dive deeper into the exhibits, making sure you catch all the highlights—perfect for families or groups exploring the Time Tunnel.
7. Horniman Museum and Gardens
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Address: 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ
Contact details: +44 20 8699 1872
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Price: Free
The Horniman Museum and Gardens is a great place to check out if you’re into culture, nature, and music.
Inside, you’ll find some cool exhibits, like taxidermied animals, fossils, and preserved specimens that show how life has evolved. There’s also a collection of artefacts from different cultures, giving you a look into human diversity.
If you’re into music, the museum has over 1,300 instruments from around the world, each representing a different musical tradition. Don’t miss the famous walrus on display—it’s glorious!
What makes the Horniman even better is how interactive it is. You can touch, try on, and play with many of the exhibits, making it a fun spot for everyone.
Pro tip:
Entry to the museum is free. However, there’s a small charge to visit the Aquarium and Butterfly House. Be sure to reserve a time slot in advance, too!
8. Science Museum
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Address: Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Contact details: +44 330 058 0058
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Price: Free
The Science Museum is one of the best spots for science and tech in Europe, attracting millions of visitors every year. It’s part of the Science Museum Group and has a great mix of hands-on exhibits, historical artefacts, and fun learning experiences.
One of the coolest areas is Wonderlab, a hands-on gallery for kids. It has over 50 interactive exhibits, like a giant globe that shows how gravity works and some awesome friction slides.
The Space Exhibit is another must-see. It features real pieces from the Apollo missions, including a chunk of the Moon and models of rockets like Apollo 11.
If you’re into transportation, the Transport Section lets you explore the history of transport and even try driving a train or car with some fun interactive displays.
Pro tip:
If you have young kids, don’t miss The Garden—it’s a sensory play zone with water play and construction activities for them.
9. The Wallace Collection
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Address: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Contact details: +44 20 7563 9500
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
The Wallace Collection is known for its amazing collection of fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries. It’s especially famous for its 18th-century French art, including paintings, furniture, and even arms and armour.
With around 5,500 works of art spread across 25 galleries, there are plenty of highlights. There are French paintings by artists like Frans Hals, Rembrandt, and Titian. There are also beautiful Sèvres porcelain, and intricate furniture by famous craftsmen like André-Charles Boulle.
What makes the museum stand out is its layout. It’s designed to feel like you’re walking through a private 19th-century collection, with the art displayed just like it would’ve been in a wealthy home then.
Pro tip:
The museum offers a free guided tour every day at 2:30 PM. It’s an hour-long tour that gives you cool insights into the collection and the history of Hertford House. No need to sign up in advance—just let them know at the entrance if you want to join!
10. National Maritime Museum
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Address: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF
Contact details: +44 20 8858 4422
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
The National Maritime Museum is the largest of its kind in the world, exploring Britain’s maritime history. It opened in 1937 and is part of the Royal Museums Greenwich, which also includes the Queen’s House, Cutty Sark, and the Royal Observatory.
With over two million objects, the museum is a treasure trove for history lovers. You’ll find maritime art and ship models. There are also navigational instruments like chronometers and globes and historical manuscripts that tell the stories of sailors.
One of the highlights is “Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle” by Yinka Shonibare MBE, displayed right outside the museum.
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting with kids, be sure to check out the Ahoy! Gallery and All Hands Interactive Gallery—both are designed with younger visitors in mind and offer fun, hands-on experiences.
11. Tate Britain
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Address: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Contact details: +44 20 7887 8888
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Price: Free
Tate Britain is famous for its huge collection of British art spanning over 500 years. It first opened as the National Gallery of British Art and later became the Tate Gallery. In 2000, it finally became Tate Britain after a donation from Sir Henry Tate.
The gallery has the world’s largest collection of British art, with works from the Tudor period to modern times. Its collection includes masterpieces by artists such as J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, and the Pre-Raphaelites.
There are also temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing both contemporary art and retrospectives. While entry to the permanent collection is free, special exhibitions charge a fee, so it’s smart to book ahead.
Pro tip:
If you’re under 26, sign up for the Tate Collective and grab discounted tickets to special exhibitions for just £5. It’s an awesome way to explore more of Tate Britain without spending too much!
12. Charles Dickens Museum
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Address: 48-49 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX
Contact details: +44 20 7405 2127
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
Price: $
The Charles Dickens Museum is the only house the famous author ever lived in, and it’s still around today. It gives you a great look at his life and the Victorian era, with loads of cool stuff from his literary career.
Over 100,000 items are on display, including original manuscripts and personal items like his writing desk and the engagement ring he gave to Catherine. A highlight is Dickens’s Dream portrait, which shows him surrounded by the characters he created.
The house has four floors, with rooms that give a glimpse into his family’s life. There’s a cosy drawing room, bedrooms that reflect Dickens’s childhood, and a kitchen that shows what domestic life was like back then.
Pro tip:
Large bags aren’t allowed inside the museum, so it’s a good idea to bring only a small purse or bag. If you need to store anything bigger, there’s a cloakroom available for your convenience.
13. Royal Air Force Museum London
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Address: Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL
Contact details: +44 20 8205 2266
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
The Royal Air Force Museum in London is a must-visit for anyone into aviation or history. It opened on November 15, 1972, with Queen Elizabeth II’s help. Since then, it’s been a great spot to learn about the RAF and the history of flight.
The museum has over 100 aircraft, including famous ones like the Spitfire, Lancaster Bomber, and Concorde. It also has the world’s oldest airworthy plane, the Blériot XI, from 1909. The museum is spread out across five hangars, each covering a different part of aviation history.
There are also cool interactive exhibits, like a flight simulator for an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon and a 4D cinema experience. It’s a great place for families and school groups too, with plenty of educational programs available.
Pro tip:
Consider downloading a site map from the museum’s website before your visit. This will help you navigate the extensive grounds and ensure you don’t miss any key exhibits or facilities.