London might be known for its high prices, but its museum scene is a glorious exception. Some of the world’s best collections — from ancient artefacts to modern art — are completely free to explore. This guide walks you through the very best of them so you can dive into history, science, culture, and creativity while keeping your trip affordable and unforgettable.
The National Gallery Museum
BEST FOR – European masterpieces from Van Gogh, Monet, Turner and more
It’s the best‑known of London’s free art museums, home to more than 2,300 works spanning from the 13th century through to the early 1900s. Entry is free, but booking a complimentary timed ticket in advance is the best way to guarantee smooth entry. You can book your free tickets here.
HIGHLIGHTS – Sunflowers — Vincent van Gogh (1888), The Arnolfini Portrait — Jan van Eyck (1434) and The Ambassadors — Hans Holbein the Younger (1533).
OPENING HOURS – It’s open daily from 10am to 6pm, with extended hours until 9pm on Fridays. It’s generally advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
GETTING HERE – Conveniently located in Trafalgar Square, with the Sainsbury Wing being the main entrance. It is easily reached via Tube with Charing Cross (Northern/ Bakerloo lines) being the closest station. Leicester Square (Northern/Piccadilly lines) and Embankment (Circle/District lines) are also within a 10-minute walk
British Museum
BEST FOR – Global history, ancient artefacts, mummies and the Rosetta Stone
The British Museum is dedicated to human history, art and culture, and its permanent collection holds more than eight million objects making it one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in the world.
Entry is free, but booking a complimentary timed ticket in advance is the best way to guarantee smooth entry. You can book your free tickets here.
HIGHLIGHTS – The Rosetta Stone, The Parthenon Sculptures and the Ancient Egyptian Collection.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open daily from 10am to 5pm, with extended hours until 8:30pm on Fridays. It’s generally advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
GETTING HERE – You’ll find it on Great Russell Street, just a short 2–5 minute walk from Tottenham Court Road station (Central, Northern, and Elizabeth lines). It’s also an easy walk from Covent Garden, Soho, or King’s Cross, which makes it super convenient to slot into any London itinerary.
Natural History Museum
BEST FOR – Dinosaurs, gemstones, wildlife, and Earth science
The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising of over 80 million items within five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology.
Entry is free, but booking a complimentary timed ticket in advance is the best way to guarantee smooth entry. You can book your free tickets here.
HIGHLIGHTS – Hope the Blue Whale, Guy the Gorilla and Moon Rock.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open daily from 10am – 5:50pm with last entry at 5:30pm.
GETTING HERE – the nearest Tube station is South Kensington which is about a five-minute walk from both the Central Entrance via the East Gate and the East Entrance. Piccadilly, District and Circle line trains stop at South Kensington.
Gloucester Road station is about a 12 minute walk from the Central Entrance and a seven-minute walk from the West Entrance. Piccadilly, District and Circle line trains stop at Gloucester Road.
The Design Museum
BEST FOR – the world’s leading museum devoted entirely to contemporary design
The Design Museum celebrates product, industrial, graphic, fashion and architectural design — and it’s one of those rare museums where the exhibits feel genuinely connected to everyday life. Instead of admiring objects you’ll never touch, you’ll find everything from teaspoons to computers to cars, all showcased through the lens of smart, thoughtful design.
HIGHLIGHTS – the Designer Maker User, the Treasures of Comtemporary Design and the architectural building itself.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Monday-Thursday 10am to 5pm and Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm.
GETTING HERE – The museum sits on Kensington High Street at numbers 224–238. The closest Underground station is High Street Kensington (Circle and District lines), about a 7–10 minute walk away. Earl’s Court (District & Piccadilly lines) and Holland Park (Central line) are also within a 10–15 minute walk, making it easy to reach from several parts of the city.
Science Museum
BEST FOR – Hands‑on exhibits, space exploration, and interactive galleries
The Science Museum is perfect for hands‑on explorers. From space travel to engineering, this museum makes science fun and accessible. Many galleries are interactive, making it great for kids (and adults who still love pressing buttons!) Entry is free, but we recommend pre-booking a free timed entry ticket here due to popularity.
HIGHLIGHTS – Boulton & Watt Rotative Beam Engine (1788), Crick & Watson’s DNA Model (1953) and Helen Sharman’s Space Suit (1991).
OPENING HOURS – It’s open daily from 10am-6pm.
GETTING HERE –The nearest tube station is South Kensington which is on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines and is a 5-minute walk from the museum. Gloucester Road tube station is also on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines and is a 15-minute walk from the museum.
London Museum Docklands
BEST FOR – The story of London’s river, trade and docklands
London Museum Docklands, located in a beautifully preserved 19th‑century Grade I‑listed sugar warehouse is a fascinating look at London’s maritime history, trade routes and the evolution of the Docklands. It’s quieter than the big museums, making it a great hidden gem.
HIGHLIGHTS – ‘London, Sugar & Slavery’ Gallery, Sailortown and the Building Itself: No. 1 Warehouse.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Monday-Sunday 10am to 5pm.
GETTING HERE – located at West India Quay (E14 4AL) and is best reached via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to West India Quay station, which is just a 2-minute walk away. It is also easily accessible by walking from the Canary Wharf area or taking the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf station.
National Maritime Museum
BEST FOR – Britain’s seafaring history
The museum is great for learning about Britain’s seafaring past, naval history, and global exploration and is an absolute must for anyone with even a passing interest in naval history. With almost 2.5 million items in its collection including astronomical and navigational instruments, ship models and plans, uniforms and weapons, historical art, film, and photography, the National Maritime Museum is one of the largest maritime museums in the world.
HIGHLIGHTS – J.M.W. Turner’s Battle of Trafalgar (1824), Nelson’s Trafalgar Coat and Prince Frederick’s Gilded State Barge (1732).
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Monday-Sunday 10am-5pm with ‘The Cove Playground’ outside the museum varying depending on the time of the year.
GETTING HERE – The museum is easily accessible via the DLR (Cutty Sark or Greenwich stations), local buses (129, 177, 188, 199 and 386), or by Thames Clipper boat. It is located in Greenwich Park, with two main entrances on Romney Road and King William Walk.
Tate Modern
BEST FOR – Modern and contemporary art in a huge riverside space
Housed in a former power station on the Southbank, Tate Modern is London’s home of contemporary and modern art. The Turbine Hall alone is worth the visit — it’s huge, dramatic, and always changing.
HIGHLIGHTS – Turbine Hall Installations, Picasso – The Three Dancers (1925) and Rothko – Seagram Murals.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Sunday-Thursday 10am-6pm and Friday-Saturday 10am-9pm.
GETTING HERE – is best reached by Tube to Blackfriars (District/Circle lines, 5-10 minute walk). It is on the South Bank which is accessible via the Millennium Bridge from St Paul’s or by bus/boat.
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
BEST FOR – Art, fashion, design, and decorative arts
V&A is a treasure trove of art, fashion, design and decorative objects. You can easily spend hours wandering through galleries filled with jewellery, textiles, sculptures and global craftsmanship.
HIGHLIGHTS – Tippoo’s Tiger, The Ardabil Carpet and The Cast Courts.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Sunday-Thursday 10am-6pm and Friday-Saturday 10am-9pm.
GETTING HERE -The museum is easily accessed by the underground (Tube). South Kensington station is the closest being a 5-minute walk via a subway tunnel or street level. Knightsbridge station is a 14-minute walk and offers better accessibility with no steps.
National Portrait Gallery
BEST FOR – Collection of portraits of historically and important British people
The Gallery is filled with the people, portraits and the life stories of a nation and is home to the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. During our visit, we were impressed to learn that there were over 220,000 works from the 8th century to the present day.
HIGHLIGHTS – The ‘Ditchley Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare (Chandos Portrait) and Winston Churchill.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Sunday-Thursday 10:30am-6pm and Friday-Saturday 10:30am-8pm.
GETTING HERE – The gallery is located on St Martin’s Place (WC2H 0HE) near Trafalgar Square. The easiest way to get there is by taking the London Underground (Tube) to Leicester Square (Northern/Picadilly lines) or Charing Cross (Northern/Bakerloo lines), both a short walk away. Buses also stop nearby at Trafalgar Square or St Martin’s Place.
Wallace Collection
BEST FOR – Art, armour, and antiques in a historic townhouse
The Wallace Collection is a beautifully preserved townhouse filled with art, armour, and antiques. It feels like stepping into a private palace!
HIGHLIGHTS – The Laughing Cavalier — Frans Hals (1624), The Swing — Jean‑Honoré Fragonard (1767) and 18th‑Century French Decorative Arts.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Monday-Sunday 10am-5pm.
GETTING HERE – Located at Hertford House in Manchester Square (W1U 3BN), just north of Oxford Street and Selfridges in London. The best way to reach it is by London Underground: Bond Street (7-minute walk), Marble Arch (10-minute walk) or Oxford Circus (12-minute walk).
Tate Britain
BEST FOR – British art from the 1500s to today
If you prefer classic British art, Tate Britain is your spot. From historic portraits to modern works, it offers a calm, beautiful space to explore. It holds 500 years of British art and is home to the world’s largest collection of J.M.W. Turner’s work.
HIGHLIGHTS – J.M.W. Turner – Masterpieces & Turner Galleries, Ophelia — John Everett Millais (1851–52) and Pre‑Raphaelite Masterpieces.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Monday-Sunday 10am-6pm.
GETTING HERE – is easily accessible via public transport. The nearest tube is Pimlico (Victoira line). Other options include Vauxhall station (National Rail/Tube), the Millbank Millennium Pier (Rivers Services) or local bus stopping directly at Tate Britain.
National Army Museum
BEST FOR – Military history and interactive exhibits
The museum features interactive exhibits and military history told through personal stories and is a great for families and history fans. The galleries showcase the stories of soldiers from the Army’s origin to the present day.
HIGHLIGHTS – ‘Lawrence of Arabia’s’ Robes and Dagger, French General’s Uniform (Battle of Blenheim, 1704) and Charge of the Light Brigade Artefacts.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5:30pm.
GETTING HERE – Located in Chelsea, the museum is best accessed via Sloane Square Underground Station (District/Circle lines), which is only a short walk away.
Museum of the Home
BEST FOR – How homes and everyday life have changed over time
The museum is a fascinating look at how homes and everyday life have changed over the centuries. It’s cosy, relatable, and surprisingly insightful with galleries exploring the meaning of ‘home’ through personal stories, treasured objects, furniture and photographs.
HIGHLIGHTS – Rooms Through Time, The Home Galleries and The Beautiful 18th‑Century Almshouses.
OPENING HOURS – It’s open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5:00pm.
GETTING HERE – The easiest was to get to the museum is the Overground to Hoxton Station which is directly opposite the museum, or via bus routes149, 242, 243 and 394 on Kingsland Road.
London’s free museums are more than just places to pass an afternoon — they’re a reminder of how much art, history, science, and culture the city shares openly with anyone who wants to explore. If your looking for other free things to do in London, check out our blog post here.
