One of the many things that make London a great destination is its collection of museums. Many of the world’s best museums are found in London. From the world’s rarest treasures to extraordinary architecture and immersive experiences, such museums can only be found in London.
What Types of Museums Can You See in London?
London boasts an extraordinary collection of over 200 museums, encompassing notable types, such as history museums, art galleries, natural history museums and specialised museums like the London Transport Museum.
| Museum Types | Notable Collection | Description |
|---|---|---|
| History Museums | Historical documents, ancient artefacts, cultural heritage | Learn about the history of nations, civilizations and specific regions. |
| Art Museums & Galleries | Decorative arts, sculptures, paintings | Museums featuring traditional and modern art from across the globe. |
| Science & Technology Museums | Technology, space, medicine, innovation | Discover scientific achievements and innovations. |
| Natural Science | Fossils, minerals, flora and fauna | Explore a vast array of specimens from various categories of the natural world. |
| Transport & History Museums | Vintage vehicles, signage, posters | Uncover the history of London’s public transport network. |
| Military History Museums | World wars, military tech | Learn about conflicts between Britain and other countries. |
| Aviation Museums | Aviation & aircraft history | Learn about British aviation and the history of aircraft and flights. |
What’s even better? Most of London museums are free to explore or very reasonably priced. The difficulty, though, would be deciding which museum to visit first. Hence, we have created a list of the 9 best museums that you shouldn’t miss seeing while you are in London. It is advised to take guided tours, so you can fully immerse yourself in the rich history these museums offer.
9 Best Museums You Shouldn’t Miss
#1 British Museum
No museum is as popular as The British Museum in London. It is the world’s first national museum opened to the public in 1759. Located in the heart of London, Bloomsbury, British Museum features centuries-old history of human, culture and art. The museum also features a diverse range of Greek and Egyptian artefacts from ancient civilization.
- Egyptian Mummies
- Rosetta Stone
- Assyrian Lion Hunt
- Sutton Hoo Ship Burial
#2 Natural History Museum
Founded in 1881, the Natural History Museum in London is a treasure trove of natural wonders combined with scientific knowledge. Spread across five floors and showcasing over 28 galleries, the museum is a home to more than 80 million animal, plant, rock, fossil and mineral specimens. Whether you are an avid tourist, a budding scientist or someone who loves nature, the museum has something for everyone to enjoy.
- Dinosaur Gallery
- Blue Whale Skeleton
- Barbary Lion Skull
- The Darwin Centre
#3 National Gallery
Founded in 1824, the National Gallery is London’s best-in-class artistic institution that is situated in the heart of Trafalgar Square. The museum has a collection of more than 2,300 artworks from British, French, Dutch and Italian artists, including Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Cezanne and Matisse. The magnificent architecture of the museum is one of the reasons the gallery is considered London’s must-visit tourist attraction.
- ‘The Virgin of the Rocks’ by Leonardo da Vinci
- ‘Arnolfini Portrait’ by Jan Van Eyck
- ‘Bacchus and Ariadne’ by Titian
- ‘Sunflowers’ by Vincent van Gogh
- ‘Venus and Mars’ by Sandro Botticelli
#4 Science Museum
You don’t have to be a science nerd to enjoy this museum. Science Museum in London, founded in 1857, is a home to award-winning inventions, iconic objects and marvellous exhibition, covering everything from early technology to space exploration. Across its seven floors, the museum exhibits a diverse range of galleries, such as garden, making the modern world gallery, exploring space gallery, information age gallery, Mathematics: the Winton Gallery, medicine gallery, flight gallery, Wonderlab and many more.
Major highlights of this museum:
- Apollo 10 Command Module
- Full-size replica of Apollo 11 Eagle lander
- Real Moon Rock
- Cross-section of real-life Boeing 747 Jet
#5 Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum of London has the greatest collection of military tech and equipment. Opened to the public in 1920, the Imperial War Museum is popular for its collection of aircraft, tanks and weapons from the time they were used in the First World War to the Holocaust. The museum also reflects the rich personal stories and first-hand accounts of British and Commonwealth involvement in conflicts all around the world.
Major highlights of this museum:
- The Blitz Experience
- Holocaust Exhibition
- First World War Gallery
- Witnesses to War Exhibit
#6 National Maritime Museum
When it comes to shipping, exploration and navigation, no other museum in the world has more history than London’s National Maritime Museum. First opened in 1937, the National Maritime museum appeals to a wide range of interests, making it a must-see attraction for history enthusiasts and those who are curious about exploring Britain’s maritime history. The museum lets you dive into the grand tales of naval battles and exploration as well as brings to life the personal tales of explorers and sailors who drifted in uncharted waters.
Major highlights of this museum:
- The Great Map
- Nelson’s Trafalgar Coat
- Ship Models
- Maritime Art and Paintings
- Sea Things Gallery
#7 Tate Britain
Part of the Tate group, Tate Britain is one of the largest and most interesting museums in London, showcasing British art from the 1545 to the present day. As the name suggests, Tate Britain features a huge selection of contemporary and historical works, including works by David Hockney, Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. It is home to dreamy Pre-Raphaelite and J.M.W Turner’s watercolour paintings.
Major highlights of this museum:
- ‘Ophelia’ by Sir John Everett Millais
- ‘Dreams Have No Titles’ by Zineb Sedira
- ‘Carnation Lily, Lily Rose’ by John Singer Sargent
- ‘Norham Castle, Sunrise’ by J.M.W Turner
#8 Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum is world’s eighth-biggest art museum in London, England that houses over 2.27 million decorative arts and designs spread across 13 acres in 145 galleries. The collection spans over 5000 years of art, from ancient civilization to the present day and cultures from Asia, North America, Europe and North Africa. The vast selection of glass, ceramics, costumes, textiles, jewellery, medieval objects, furniture, drawings, sculpture and photographs are among the most comprehensive in the world.
Major highlights of this museum:
- Queen Victoria’s Sapphire and Diamond Coronet
- Raphael Cartoons
- Tipu Sultan’s Tiger
- The Ardabil Carpet
- The Great Bed of Ware
#9 London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum in Covent Garden features the rich history of London’s public transport from 1800 onwards. Since its opening in 1980, the London Transport Museum has exhibited over 450,000 items, including early tube trains, vintage red Routemasters, transport signs, maps and uniforms. In addition, there is an array of retro artwork, posters and photos exhibiting in London from 1860 to the present day.
Major highlights of this museum:
- Classic Buses and Electric Trains
- Sedan Chair
- Historic Transport Posters
- Shillibeer Omnibus
FAQs
How many museums are there in London?
Altogether, there are over 200 museums in London.
Which is the biggest museum in London?
The British Museum has grown to become the largest museum in London.
Are these museums free to visit?
Most galleries and museums in London... may require paid tickets.
What are the opening hours?
Most museums in London are open daily from 10:00 AM...
How much time do I need to explore each museum?
Each museum requires about 2 to 3 hours on average...
Are guided tours available?
Yes, there are guided walking tours or themed tours available for most museums.
