Museums and galleries in London

Museums and galleries in London

1. SeeNotting Hill-North Kensington

   18 Stafford Terrace

   The Victorian residence of satirical cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne and his household, which is now open as a museum. The "aesthetic" interior design, preserved close to how the Sambournes would have kept it in 1899, features much Chinese and Middle Eastern-style furniture, art, and decorative schemes, along with a selection of Edward's cartoons, which typically ribbed the British establishment and its colonial-driven international relations.

   Wed Sat Sun 2PM-5:30PM; guided tours: Wed Sun 11AM-12:15PM, costumed tours Sat 11AM-12:15PM·Adult £9, concession £7, child (under 18) free. Guided tours: £12 adult, £10 concession. Costumed guided tours led by an actor: £20 adult, £15 concession

2. SeeCovent Garden

   Aldwych station

   The TfL-backed Hidden London offers tours around the disused Aldwych tube station which had its own branch on the Piccadilly line. The tour explains the station's unusual history including its use for protection (for both people and historical artefacts held by the British Museum) from the Blitz during World War II. It has been used as a filming location and for testing station equipment and decor, including for filming James Bond: Die Another Day, V for Vendetta, and the Prodigy music video for Firestarter. Tours are roughly an 1 hour and 15 minutes long, wear sturdy shoes (not sandals).

   Weekdays: 17:05, 19:00; weekends: 10:05, 12:00, 14:40, 16:35·Tickets: £44, £39 concessions (includes 50% discount on entry to the London Transport Museum)

3. SeePaddington-Maida Vale

   Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum

   The laboratory in which Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928.

   Mon-Thu 10AM-1PM·free

4. SeeMayfair-Marylebone

   Apsley House

   The Wellington Museum

   The London residence of the Dukes of Wellington, which now acts as a museum for the inaugural and most famous holder of the title. It boasts an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, medals and swords. Perhaps the most bizarre item in Wellington's collection is a nude statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, commissioned by the emperor himself and bought by the British government following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo as a gift for the duke.

   Wed-Sun 11AM-5PM·Adult £11.30, child £6.80, concession £10.20

5. SeeSouth Bank

   BFI Southbank

   Tucked under Waterloo Bridge, BFI Southbank, formerly known as the National Film Theatre, pitches itself as the home of film and has three screens showing classic (including silent), foreign language and less mainstream films. It has a new entrance on Theatre Alley, a shop dedicated to film, an interactive exhibition space and an excellent bar/restaurant at the back. Visitors can also access the Mediatheque - wind your way through the BFI's extensive film and TV archive for free. Cool bar and restaurant. Tickets are generally available on the spur of the moment.

6. SeeCity of London

   Bank of England Museum

   Charts the history of the bank from 1694 to the present day. A highlight is the opportunity to handle a genuine bar of gold. Photography allowed, but no flash.

   Mon–Fri 10AM–5PM·Free

7. SeeCity of London

   Barts Pathology Museum

   Quirky medical museum. Only open to the public for scheduled evening events.

8. SeeCamden

   British Library

   The official book depository of the United Kingdom, holding a copy of every book ever printed here, and a wide variety of periodicals. No less than 150 million items catalogued and there is an unimaginable of shelving! Visitors may not use the library unless they have proof of identity, home address, and a genuine need to use a specific item, but there is a free "Treasures of the British Library" exhibition chronicling the history of the written and printed word and displaying some of the library's best known items, including two of the original manuscripts of the Magna Carta and Leonardo Da Vinci's notebook. Additionally there are temporary exhibitions on historical or literary subjects, which charge admission. Popular ones can be very crowded at weekends. In the central atrium stands the King's Library (the library of King George III) surrounded by a glass wall, so visitors can occasionally see librarians retrieving books for readers. Tours of the library building run M W F-Su and cost £6. Call to book. Large items of luggage are not permitted in the building and cannot be stored in the cloakroom.

   Mon Wed-Fri 9:30AM-6PM, Tue 9:30AM-6PM, Sat 9:30AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-5PM

9. SeeBloomsbury

   British Museum

   A vast repository of the world's cultures, controversially including hundreds of items that were looted from their places of origin. Entire sections are devoted to Egyptian, Greek, and Middle Eastern artifacts, as well as the piece which united them all, the Rosetta Stone. Other items on everyone's list are the largest collection of mummies outside Egypt and the Elgin Marbles. The collection also includes some of the world's finest collections of Chinese and Sub-Saharan African art; perhaps the most famous of the latter are the Benin bronzes. A definite highlight of a trip to London. Temporary exhibitions are invariably excellent and meticulously researched, but can be expensive. It has a fine store, mainly selling replicas of items in the collection.

   Sat-Wed 10AM-5:30PM, Thu Fri 10AM-8:30PM; Central Great Court remains open Sat-Wed until 6PM, Thu Fri until 11PM·Free for permanent exhibits

10. SeeBloomsbury

    Brunei Gallery, SOAS University of London

    An exhibition space that hosts a programme of changing contemporary and historical exhibitions from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, aiming to present and promote cultures from these regions and to be a student resource and public facility. There are live music performances every last Wednesday of every month except December and July.

    Tue–Sat 10:30AM–5PM, Thu 10:30AM–8PM·Free

11. SeeSouthwark and Lewisham

    Brunel Museum

    A museum dedicated to the works of the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel including a major exhibition about the founding of the London tube system. Also a fine collection of Victorian industrial paintings on show.

    Daily 10AM-5PM·£8.00 concs £5.00

12. SeeWestminster

    Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum

    A branch of the Imperial War Museum, the Cabinet War Rooms preserves the underground corridors and rooms from which Churchill and the cabinet directed the war against Hitler and the Nazis, maintained almost exactly as they were left in 1945. In 1984, IWM opened the rooms to the public for the first time. In 2005, the attached Churchill Museum was opened as the world's first permanent museum dedicated to the life and wartime achievements of Sir Winston Churchill. Audio guides are included in your admission. No cloakroom, no rucksacks, no suitcases. Café is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Hot food is served until 3pm.

    Daily 9:30AM-7PM (last admission 5:45PM), closed 24-26 Dec·Adult from £25; children 5-15 from £12.50, under 5 free; seniors and students £15.20; group concessions available

13. SeeBloomsbury

    Camera Museum

    A downstairs museum dedicated to cameras from the 1800s to present day, including a camera rifle like the one used in Licence to Kill. The museum is a quick visit and worth the stop even for someone with a moderate interest in photography.

    Mon-Fri 11AM-7PM, Sat noon-6PM, Sun closed·£3. U10 free

14. SeeBloomsbury

    Cartoon Museum

    A vast collection of cartoons and comics on display with special, often topical, exhibitions.

    Tue Wed Fri-Sun 10:30AM-5:30PM, Thu 10:30AM-8PM·£8.50, concession (60+) £5, students £3, under-18s free

15. SeeBloomsbury

    Charles Dickens Museum

    Museum at the former home of Dickens exhibiting writings, paintings, furniture and other items relating to the writer.

    Mon Wed-Sat 10AM-5PM (last admission 4:30PM), Tue 10AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-5PM (last admission 4:30PM)·£5, students and seniors £4, children £3, families £14 (two adults and up to five children), special group rates apply

16. SeeSouth Bank

    Clink Prison Museum

    A museum that tries to recreate the conditions of the original prison that used to be on this site from the 12th century until 1780, which was notorious the name of it has since become slang as a generic term for prison.

17. SeeNotting Hill-North Kensington

    Design Museum

    A must for anyone with an interest in modern and contemporary design. The permanent exhibition follows the change in British homes from the early 20th century until present day, which is constantly updated to include new design classics. There are temporary exhibits which run for 3-4 months. The museum also runs Designer of the Year which awards a prize to a person or organisation that has produced an impressive piece of design. There is a small shop that has plenty of art and design books as well as designer goods to take home with you.

    Mon-Thu 10AM-6:30PM, Fri Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-6:30PM·Free, except for temporary exhibitions

18. SeeCity of London

    Dr Johnson's House

    Dr Samuel Johnson was the highly distinguished 18th-century "man of letters", best known for his comprehensive English Dictionary of 1755, but also for his prolific output of poems, essays and novels. Something of a "hidden gem", this small, independent museum is dedicated to him—and, with its historic interiors, paintings and prints, personal effects and other exhibits—gives an impression of what it might have been like during his occupancy from 1748 to 1759. Built in 1700, this impressive period building—a rare example of its kind in the area—survived the brutal onslaught of the Blitz during World War II and is now maintained in excellent condition.

    October-April: Mon-Sat 11AM-5PM; May-September: Mon-Sat 11AM-5:30PM; closed Sundays, Bank Holidays·adult £4.50, concession £3.50 (over 60, student or registered unemployed), child £1.50 (ages 5-17), family £10 (two adults and accompanying children), under 5s free. No debit or credit cards. National Trust Partner.

19. SeeSouthwark and Lewisham

    Dulwich Picture Gallery

    One of London's lesser known treasures showcasing a magnificent collection of old masters, including works by Poussin, Claude, Rubens, Murillo, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Watteau, Gainsborough and many others. It was assembled for the King of Poland in the 1790s; an alternative home was found for the collection of artworks in the "clean air of Dulwich" after the Kingdom of Poland's partition and temporary disappearance as an independent state. The gallery was designed by Sir John Soane and opened in 1817. An extension completed by Rick Mather adds additional space to the compact gallery. DPG received the Museums and Heritage Award for Excellence in 2005 and was winner of the Independent Award for Britain's Favourite Visitor Attraction. It also worth exploring the lush grounds of Dulwich College or Dulwich Park, both a scenic stroll away.

    Tue-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun and bank holiday Mondays 11AM-5PM; closed Good Fri, 1 Jan and 24-26 Dec·£4, senior citizens £3, unemployed, disabled, students and children free, additional charge for special exhibitions

20. SeeSouthwark and Lewisham

    Fashion and Textiles Museum

    It's in the vicinity of Bermondsey Spa Gardens, and is an intriguing museum with those for a passion for fashion.

21. DoSouth Bank

    Florence Nightingale Museum

    Tells the story of the Lady with the Lamp. Various family events, including art workshops. In the grounds of St. Thomas' Hospital.

22. SeeBloomsbury

    Foundling Museum

    A museum and a gallery telling the story of the Foundling Hospital, an orphanage for abandoned children founded in the 18th century. Massive art donations by British artists and the involvement of George Friederic Handel as a patron made this childcare organisation an early centre of art and music.

    Tue-Sun 10AM-5:30PM·£5, concessions £4, children free

23. SeeSouth Bank

    Garden Museum

    The first museum in the world dedicated to the history of gardening, based in the deconsecrated Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. The exhibits cover everything from royal gardens to allotments.

    Sun–Fri 10:30AM–5PM, Sat 10:30AM–4PM·£5–7.50 (£4–6.50 seniors, £3.00 concessions, children free)

24. EatBloomsbury

    Great Court Restaurant

    Housed in the British Museum, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience. For history buffs, it's the perfect setting to sit down and enjoy familiar favourites. Reservations recommended.

    Sat-Thu noon-5:30PM, Fri noon-9:30PM·Main courses from £16.25

25. SeeCity of London

    Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre

    The Guildhall Art Gallery houses the City Corporation's art collection, and also runs special exhibitions throughout the year. During construction of the modern gallery, workers discovered the ruins of London's Roman amphitheatre. The gallery was redesigned, and now the Amphitheatre is open to the public within the Guildhall Art Gallery itself and also free of charge.

    Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM; Sun noon-4PM·free

26. SeeMayfair-Marylebone

    Handel & Hendrix in London

    Handel House Museum

    Home to the baroque composer George Frideric Handel from 1723 until his death in 1759. Some of the greatest classical music ever composed was done so at this address. The museum charts Handel's life and works and offers recitals of music in the magnificent setting of the period rooms. By contrast, next door was home to Jimi Hendrix when he lived in London in 1969, and entry to this top-floor flat is included.

    Mon-Sat 11AM-6PM·£10

27. EatMayfair-Marylebone

    Hard Rock Cafe

    The original cafe that spawned a global franchise, established in 1971. The food and drinks - burgers, fries and cocktails - are certainly overpriced, but the real stars are the memorabilia items: Elvis Presley's coat, John Lennon's glasses, an antique chair owned by Freddie Mercury, and more famous guitars than Guns 'n' Roses has had members.

    Daily noon-10PM / 11PM Sat·Mains £15-£30. Access to the Vault (memorabilia museum) free, with no requirement to purchase food

28. SeeSouth Bank

    Hayward Gallery

    The largest public art space in the UK and the exhibitions showcase masters and young British and international artists, usually accompanied by outdoor installations that bring the area to life. The gallery often holds free exhibitions which can be enjoyed by all. Particularly strong on contemporary art exhibitions. Hosts a single temporary exhibition at any time.

    Sat-Mon Thu 10AM-6PM, Tue 10AM-8PM, Wed 10AM-8PM, Fri 10AM-9PM (except 24-27 Dec and 1-2 Jan)·£7.50, child (12-16) £4, senior (60+) £7, student £6

29. SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Hunterian Museum

    Inside the Royal College of Surgeons. Exhibitions on the history of surgery, including medicine, natural history and art. The museum was established by John Hunter (1728-1793), the founder of scientific surgery.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM·Free, booking recommended

30. SeeCamden

    Jewish Museum

    In 2010, it reopened after a renovation with a modern extension. Exhibitions on the long history of the Jewish community in London. Well laid out and interesting.

    Sun-Thu 10AM-5PM, Fri 10AM-2PM·Adult £7.50, senior (60+) or student or unemployed or disabled £5.50, child (5-16) £3.50, free with National Art Pass or London Pass of child under 5

31. SeeSouth Bank

    London Fire Brigade Museum

    Admission by guided tour only, which must be booked in advance. The museum is housed in part of a Victorian fire station and its collections include fire engines and historical equipment.

    Mon–Fri 10:30AM & 2PM·£5 (£3 concessions)

32. SeeCovent Garden

    London Transport Museum

    In many cities a local transport museum would be of very narrow interest - not London, however! London's public transport is iconic, and the story of how it developed from horse and cart through early buses, Tube trains and trolleybuses to the present day is well worth coming to find out about. There is plenty of opportunity to clamber aboard the historic buses and Tube trains on display. Also, because London's transport is so well known, the museum shop contains plenty of items that make interesting and original gifts and souvenirs.

    £18, concessions £17, accompanied children under 16 free

33. DoPaddington-Maida Vale

    Lord's Cricket Ground

    The home of cricket, Lord's usually hosts two international five-day Test matches each summer (which sell out), as well as limited-overs One Day International and Twenty20 cricket. It's the usual stadium for Middlesex County Cricket Club, who were relegated in 2023 and now play in Division Two of the County Championship - these games last 3-4 days. Also here are London Spirit men's and women's teams playing in The Hundred short game. Lord's houses the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum, with a vast collection of cricket memorabilia - tours are usually available daily except on match days.

34. SeeMayfair-Marylebone

    Madame Tussauds

    Madame Tussauds is a world-famous waxwork museum, best known for its Grand Hall, with a collection of international royalty, statesmen and world leaders. Visitors generally report that the entrance fee does not warrant the selection of waxworks on show, which rarely resemble celebrities. Also, there is usually a long queue stretching down the road.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-5:30PM, Sat Sun 9:30AM-5:30PM·£10-20 (pricing depends on the time of visit, price decreases as closing time approaches, and whether visitors wish to pass through the Chamber of Horrors)

35. DoSouth Bank

    Menier Chocolate Factory

    Restaurant, theatre, gallery and bar. This small theatre adjacent to Borough Market has done spectacularly well with revivals of musicals, including Sunday in the Park with George and A Little Night Music both by Stephen Sondheim and which ran in the West End and on Broadway.

36. BuySoho

    MinaLima

    A shop and gallery showcasing the work of the designers who create the letters, signs, newspapers, and many other props and graphics in the Harry Potter movies. Lots of prints and souvenirs available for purchase. Worth a visit for Harry Potter fans.

    Wed–Sun 11AM–6PM

37. DrinkWestminster

    Morpeth Arms

    Victorian pub built on the site of the cells of Millbank Prison, briefly Britain's National Penitentiary before being downgraded to a holding facility for convicts sentenced to transportation to Australia. The pub is said to be haunted by the ghosts of prisoners who didn't last long enough for the journey. For the living, the pub is next to the bank of the Thames and very close to the Tate gallery.

38. SeeNotting Hill-North Kensington

    Museum of Brands

    A history of British consumer culture told through over 12,000 food packages, toys, advertisements, and consumer products. The centrepiece of the museum is the "time tunnel" that takes you through the decades from the Victorian era to the present day. Other exhibits cover innovations in packaging, personalised labels, the future of eco-friendly packaging, and how individual brands have changed over time, among other topics. The time tunnel takes about an hour or two, depending on how much time you spend looking at the details of all the items on display, and the other exhibits are much smaller. The gift shop has a mix of nostalgia-themed products and reusable items to reduce your use of plastic (which may be very welcome after seeing so much packaging!).

    Mon–Sat 10AM–6PM, Sundays and bank holidays 11AM–5PM·£9 adults, £5 children, £7 concessions

39. SeeCity of London

    Museum of London

    Now permanently closed, will be replaced by new museum at the former Smithfield market site in 2026. The Museum of London Docklands remains open.

40. SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell

    Museum of the Order of St John

    Museum in the former English headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller, covering the history of the order from crusading knights to modern first aid organisation. There are paid guided tours available to see the crypt.

    Mon–Sat 10AM–5PM·Free - donations welcome

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to London (CC BY-SA 4.0).