Tourists from around the world flock to London for its huge selection of outstanding museums and galleries. You can learn about the history of man at the world-famous British Museum, view the best in modern and contemporary art at the Tate Modern or discover the dinosaur kingdom at the National History Museum. Whatever your interests may be, there’s plenty of activities on offer to suit all tastes.
What’s even better is that most of the top London museums are free to enter, so you don’t need to worry about blowing a large chunk of your budget too early on in the trip. Special events and exhibitions tend to come with a charge, however, so be warned!
London has offered free entry to more than 20 museums and galleries since 2001. Most are open to the public during the daytime from Monday to Sunday with some even offering evening viewings.
Here is our list of the most popular free museums in London, including more information about how to get there and what you can see.
1. The British Museum (Great Russell Street, Holborn Station)
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Hours:
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Thursday 10am – 5pm
Friday 10am – 8:30pm
Saturday 10am – 5 pm
Sunday 10am – 5pm
Monday 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 10am – 5pm
When it first opened in 1759 it was the first national museum to be open to the public free of charge anywhere in the world.
The British Museum exhibits the history of ancient civilisations from all over the world including Greece, Rome, Egypt, China and Persia as well as Britain itself from prehistoric times.
Its most famous historical object is the Rosetta Stone which translated Egyptian hieroglyphs into ancient Greek, enabling European scholars to rediscover the original history of Egypt.
2. The National Portrait Gallery (Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross Station)
Address: St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE
Hours:
Wednesday 10:30am – 6pm
Thursday 10:30am – 6pm
Friday 10:30am – 9pm
Saturday 10:30am – 9pm
Sunday 10:30am – 6pm
Monday 10:30am – 6pm
Tuesday 10:30am – 6pm
The London National Portrait Gallery was the first portrait gallery in the world when it opened in 1856.
It showcases pictures of famous historical figures and modern celebrities from Britain in many different fields including art, literature, music, science and sport.
The most famous painting is the Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare and it also exhibits many pictures of kings, queens, princes and princesses from Britain’s Royal Family over 1000 years of history up to the present day.
3. The Museum of London (London Wall, Moorgate Station)
Address: 150 London Wall, Barbican, London EC2Y 5HN
This museum holds the largest urban history collection in the world: 6 million objects and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976. It has nine permanent galleries exhibiting the historical development of London during different periods including Roman Britain, medieval England, the Great Fire of London, the British Empire, the Second World War and the Olympic Games.
4. The Science Museum (Great Exhibition Road, South Kensington Station)
Address: Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Hours:
Wednesday 10am – 6pm
Thursday 10am – 6pm
Friday 10am – 6pm
Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 10am – 6pm
Monday 10am – 6pm
Tuesday 10am – 6pm
Founded in 1857, the London Science Museum holds a collection of 300,000 items including the oldest surviving steam engine, the world’s first jet engine, a model of the first ever calculating machine, the earliest documents about typewriters and the blueprints for the design of DNA.
Around 450,000 young people visit the Science Museum every year on educational trips, more than any other UK museum.
5. Natural History Museum (Cromwell Rd, South Kensington)
Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Hours:
Wednesday 10am – 5:50pm
Thursday 10am – 5:50pm
Friday 10am – 5:50pm
Saturday 10am – 5:50pm
Sunday 10am – 5:50pm
Monday 10am – 5:50pm
Tuesday 10am – 5:50pm
The Natural History Museum is one of the most poplar museums in terms of visitor numbers in the world, and it is totally free.
Located in South Kensington close to the Science Museum, it has a huge range of specimens from various segments of natural history. This museum is perfect for both adults and families.
Find Your Perfect Museum in London
Although London is a super expensive city, there are lots of cheap and completely free things to do, and the museums here are among the best in the world. Most of which are free!
If you have done most of the main tourist attractions you might like to view our guide to non-touristy things to do in London.
Or if you are looking to plan a break and treat yourself, check out these amazing luxury hotels in London.
