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Best Museums in London
London has more world-class free museums than almost any other city. This is the curated shortlist — what to see first in each one, and how to plan a smart museum day.
The shortlist [9]
British Museum
Bloomsbury · Free entry
Don't miss: Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Marbles, Egyptian mummies
Open guide →Natural History Museum
South Kensington · Free entry
Don't miss: Hintze Hall whale, dinosaurs, earthquake simulator
Open guide →Tate Modern
Bankside · Free entry
Don't miss: Turbine Hall installations, Rothko Room, free top-floor views
Victoria & Albert Museum
South Kensington · Free entry
Don't miss: Cast Courts, fashion, Islamic Middle East gallery
Science Museum
South Kensington · Free entry
Don't miss: Apollo 10 capsule, Wonderlab (paid), Information Age gallery
Tate Britain
Pimlico · Free entry
Don't miss: World's largest Turner collection, British art 1500–today
Practical tips
- 01Major national museums are free — donations of £5 are appreciated.
- 02Special exhibitions are usually ticketed — book online in advance.
- 03Friday late openings (until 20:00 / 22:00) are quieter and atmospheric.
- 04Most museums have free cloakrooms with a £1–2 suggested donation.
- 05South Kensington has three world-class museums in one short walk: V&A, Natural History, Science.