Major London Museums
Find a wealth of fantastic art and fascinating artefacts in London's top museums.
London is a real treat for museum lovers. There are hundreds to choose from, including the British Museum, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. Below is a list of London's major museums – the big venues with incredible collections that any visitor to the city would be sorry to miss. Many are free, so it won't cost you a penny to see all that they have to offer.
Within London's high quality, varied museums, you can see an incredible range of amazing objects: one of the finest collections of Ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world; a 26-metre-long dinosaur; theatre costumes – both new and antique; old London buses; and even a human torpedo.
British Museum
The world-famous British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times from around the world. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.
Design Museum
The Design Museum is the world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form: from furniture to graphics, and architecture to industrial design. Check out the regular exhibitions dedicated to the rich creativity found in all forms of design, and its importance to our world.
London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum hosts exhibitions connecting transport with the social and cultural history of London. Inside you'll find more than 80 vehicles spanning 200 years of London's history, including a red Routemaster bus and the world's first Underground steam train. There are some great posters and artwork too!
Museum of London
The Museum of London is the world's largest urban museum, packed with historic objects and exhibitions telling the story of London's past. Discover prehistoric London, the city under Roman rule, and the grandeur of medieval London. Don't miss the new Galleries of Modern London, from 1666 to the present. Free entry
Natural History Museum
As well as the permanent (and permanently fascinating!) dinosaur exhibition, the Natural History Museum boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world. See a life-sized Blue Whale, a 40-million-year-old spider, and the beautiful Central Hall. Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.
Royal Museums Greenwich
Visit the world's largest maritime museum, the historic Queen's House, and the Royal Observatory Greenwich: all now part of the Royal Museums Greenwich. Stand astride the Prime Meridian, touch a meteorite, and see the stars in the planetarium. Some are free to enter; some charges apply
Science Museum
From the future of space travel to asking that difficult question, "Who am I?", the Science Museum makes your brain perform Olympic-standard mental gymnastics. See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years; don't forget the awesome Imax cinema. Entry is free but some exhibitions require tickets.
Victoria and Albert Museum
The V&A celebrates art and design with 3,000 years worth of amazing artefacts from around the world. A real treasure trove of goodies, you never know what you'll discover next: furniture, paintings, sculpture, metalwork, and textiles, the list goes on and on… Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.