Top 26 free museums in London

Retrace the history of humankind through the British Museum’s amazing collection of artefacts from all over the world. Access to the permanent collection – including highlights such as the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures – is free.

Discover more than 2,000 paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century at the National Gallery. See works by western European masters of painting such as Da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio and Van Gogh.

The history of the city is at your feet at the Museum of London. Enjoy the interactive displays and follow the evolution of London from prehistoric times, through the Middle Ages and the Victorian era, up to the present day.

World-class art institution Royal Academy of Arts introduced free displays for the first time in 2018, taking in works from its varied archives. Spot paintings by Michelangelo, Constable and Gainsborough, study Greek and Roman statues, and gaze at exquisite sculptures.

Wander through the spectacular halls of the Natural History Museum, as you discover fascinating exhibits from the natural world. Marvel at dinosaur skeletons or gawp at Hope, a giant blue whale skeleton.

Experience the wonders of science first-hand with the Science Museum’s interactive displays. Showcasing more than 15,000 objects, the permanent collection includes must-see exhibits such as Amy Johnson's Gipsy Moth plane. 

Discover the troubled history of modern war at the Imperial War Museum. Interesting displays guide you through the stories of modern conflicts, from the First World War to the present day.

Set in historic Maritime Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum showcases Britain’s naval history, from sea battles to exploratory expeditions. See ancient maps and ship models, and don’t miss the iconic uniform Nelson wore the day of the Battle of Trafalgar. 

The Victoria and Albert Museum hosts one of the greatest collections of art and design objects in the world (more than 2.3 million items, to be precise). Discover its beautiful galleries and retrace the history of creativity through fashion, furniture, sculpture, photography, jewellery and more.

See how a power station has been transformed into London’s centre for modern and contemporary art at Tate Modern. Find world-class paintings, photographs and performance art, embrace the stunning view of the river from the gallery’s cafe, and explore the famous Turbine Hall, which has hosted large-scale installations.

Find some of the best of British art from 1500 to today at Tate Britain, including the world’s largest collection of works by JMW Turner. Follow the Walk Through British Art rooms and see stunning paintings by Gainsborough, Whistler and Bacon.  

Did you know London has a Roman amphitheatre? Be wowed by this ancient relic, which was found by archaeologists working on the site of the Guildhall Art Gallery in 1988. Entry to both the gallery and the amphitheatre is free.

Discover what it means to be human through the Wellcome Collection’s jam-packed displays of science, medicine, life and art objects. Become immersed in a host of Insta-worthy and quirky exhibits, including those that play on the senses.

Step inside Inigo Jones' elegant masterpiece, Queen's House, and you'll discover rare works of Greenwich from Canaletto, Lowry and Turner, plus the unique Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. Don't miss the stunning Tulip Stairs for that Insta-perfect shot.

Explore Sir John Soane's Museum, the former home to the architect of the Bank of England. His historic house contains a wide collection of paintings, architectural drawings and antiquities, plus the original sarcophagus of Seti I.    

Head to the quirky Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill to encounter an eclectic collection of musical instruments, anthropology and natural history. Here, you'll find a gigantic overstuffed taxidermy walrus and a rather ugly merman, two of the weirdest things to see in London.

Delve into the ancient Roman Temple of Mithrus, which was originally built in AD 240 but only rediscovered in 1954 after centuries under the City of London's streets. Trace the story of the London Mithraeum through artefacts found during excavations and interactive displays.

Delve into some of the world’s most important literary treasures at the British Library, the UK's national library. Marvel at the historic manuscripts, discover a rare example of Magna Carta and take a look at Shakespeare’s First Folio.

Find out about Britain's army at the National Army Museum. Relive the history of the armed forces, from the British Civil Wars to the modern day, through thousands of inspiring objects in five galleries.

Retrace the history of aviation at this fascinating London museum. With a huge amount of aircraft memorabilia under one roof, the Royal Air Force Museum gives a spectacular account of man's desire to take flight and the scientific advances to make it real.

Be amazed by The Wallace Collection's precious collection of 18th-century French paintings, together with works by Titian, Canaletto and Rembrandt. The superb building, situated just off Oxford Street, is a treasure in itself.

Learn all about London’s history as a port with the Museum of London Docklands’ exhibits. The interactive displays recreate life at the height of London’s 19-century naval supremacy.

Visiting the V&A Museum of Childhood is like being a kid again, for one day. Discover a wide collection of childhood objects from the 1600s to the present day: toys, games, dolls and more. Closed for refurbishment until 2022

Money, money, money... Learn about the history of British currency at the Bank of England Museum, which is open Mondays to Fridays. Pick up a gold bar, delve back in time at the Stock Office and discover how banknotes have evolved over time. 

Head to the Whitechapel Gallery for cutting-edge contemporary art by emerging and renowned artists. In addition to the exciting programme of exhibitions, the gallery hosts talks, events and workshops.

In the middle of Hyde Park, the Serpentine Galleries (Serpentine Gallery and Serpentine Sackler Gallery) are two exhibition spaces devoted to displaying international contemporary art. Every summer, a new Serpentine Pavilion is set up in the Serpentine Gallery’s garden, showcasing the talent of a specific artist or architect.