Top 25 Museums In London

'Museums in London' or 'London in museums' won't be far off saying this considering the sheer number of museums London is home to. So believe us when we say that compiling this list of museums in London was a task. We are sure you will find our picks for the best museums in London useful whenever you explore the city. So, without further ado, here are some of the best museums in London that you can visit.

1. British Museum London

Address:  British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

Website: britishmuseum.org

Timings: Every day, 10 am - 5 pm.

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all; exhibitions might cost extra.

Nearest Train Station: London Euston Station (a 5-minute drive away)

British Museum London is one of the best museums in London. See unique global artefacts, including Parthenon sculptures, Rosetta Stone, and Egyptian mummies. A must-visit museum in London, plan to enjoy its renowned collection.

2. Science Museum London

Address: Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom

Website: sciencemuseum.org

Timings: Every day, 10 am - 5 pm.

Entry Fee: Admission is free; exhibitions and the IMAX show might cost extra.

Nearest Train Station: London Victoria Station (a 10-minute drive away)

Visit the Science Museum London, which attracts the most European visitors. With 15,000+ items, highlights include the Soyuz TMA-19M module that returned Tim Peake and a real piece of the Moon.

3. Natural History Museum London

Address: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD

‍Website: nhm.ac.uk

‍Timings: Every day, 10 am - 5 pm.

‍Entry Fee: Admission is free for all; exhibitions might cost extra.

Nearest Train Station: London Victoria Station (a 10-minute drive away)

Explore Earth's history at the Natural History Museum London. With 80 million artefacts spanning 4.5 billion years, discover galleries featuring unique items. The top attractions are Marvel at the iconic blue whale skeleton, renowned dinosaur fossils, and captivating meteorites in the Dinosaurs section.

4. Victoria and Albert Museum in London

Address: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL

Website: vam.ac.uk

Timings: Everyday 10 am - 5:45 pm

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all; exhibitions might cost extra

Nearest Train Station: London Victoria Station (a 9-minute drive away)

Explore London's Victoria & Albert Museum, a premier global art, design, and performance destination. Objects honouring many craftsmanship, ever-changing popular exhibitions, fashion designers, cultural movements and a permanent collection of 2.3 million items, making it one of the best museums in London.

5. The Freud Museum in London

Address: 20 Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SX

Website: freud.org

Timings: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 pm - 5 pm

Entry Fee: For adults: £14 per ticket

Concession Ticket: £4 per ticket

Nearest Train Station: South Hampstead Station (a 4-minute drive away)

London's Freud Museum, located in his former residence, offers a glimpse into Sigmund Freud's study and famous couch. It houses his papers, journals, and unfinished works. Enter to explore and ponder your theories in one of the best museums in London. Wish to know how to easily get from The Freud to the British Museum? Check out our interactive webstory on Public Transportation in London.

6. Tate Gallery and Museum 

Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG

Website: tate.org

Timings: Everyday 10 am - 6 pm

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all

Nearest Train Station: London Blackfriars Station (a 7-minute drive away)

Tate Modern, a free London museum, showcases modern and contemporary art, including Picasso, Rothko, Dali, and Matisse. Explore the Turbine Hall's free exhibits and the latest installations. A visual delight for photography enthusiasts.

7. Sir John Soane's Museum

Address: Sir John Soane's Museum, 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London WC2A 3BP

Website: soane.org

Timings: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all; exhibitions might cost extra

Nearest Train Station: Temple Station (a 6-minute drive away)

Visit London's Sir John Soane Museum to delve into the architect of the old Bank of England. Discover antiquities, Hogarth/Turner art, King Seti I's sarcophagus, and 30,000 blueprints in this abandoned house after almost 180 years.

8. Museum of London

Address: Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN

Website: museumoflondon.org

Timings: Everyday 10 am - 6 pm

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all

Nearest Train Station: Farringdon Station (an 8-minute drive away)

Discover legendary vehicles' history in London, the first Underground steam train, and the unique 1890s "padded cell" carriage. See Harry Beck's original Tube map and trace the evolution of the iconic roundel symbol.

9. London Transport Museum

Address: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7BB

Website: ltmuseum.co

Timings: Everyday 10 am - 6 pm

Entry Fee: For adults: £21 per ticket

Concession Ticket: £20 per ticket

Nearest Train Station: Charing Cross Station (a 2-minute drive away)

The London Transport Museum displays notable designs and transportation memorabilia, such as the red London bus and the first Tube map. Discover the evolution of transportation in London at this museum, which is perhaps the most well-known transport museum in London and the UK.

10. Museum of Brands

Address: Museum of Brands, 111-117 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London W11 1QT

Website: museumofbrands.com

Timings: Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm: Sunday and bank holidays: 11 am to 5 pm

Entry Fee: For adults: £9 per ticket

Nearest Train Station: Ladbroke Grove Station (a 1-minute drive away)

The Museum of Brands in Notting Hill will engulf you in a swirl of pictures and recognizable companies. From the Victorian era to the present, this museum in London takes visitors on an immersive visual journey that explores how social and cultural changes have affected everything from consumer culture to the wrapper of a chocolate bar.

11. Imperial War Museum

Address: Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ

Website: iwm.org.uk

Timings: Everyday 10 am - 6 pm

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all; exhibitions might cost extra

Nearest Train Station: Elephant & Castle Station (a 4-minute drive away)

IWM London is a leading war museum founded during World War I to give voice to the unusual experiences in a war-torn world. Step inside the renowned exhibits in the famous atrium, from World War I to today, to understand war's enduring effects.

12. Charles Dickens Museum

Address: 48-49 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX

Website: dickensmuseum.com

Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 pm - 5 pm

Entry Fee: For adults: £9 per ticket

 Concession Ticket: £6 per ticket

Nearest Train Station: Holborn Station (a 3-minute drive away)

This London museum holds the most extensive Dickens collection, which includes letters, furniture, and first editions. Dickens lived here from 1837 to 1839, when he authored Oliver Twist, solidifying his legacy as a top British storyteller.

13. Design Museum

Address: The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG

Website: designmuseum.org

Timings:  Everyday 10 am - 6 pm

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all; exhibitions might cost extra

Nearest Train Station: Kensington Olympia station (a 6-minute drive away) 

A renowned London museum dedicated to modern design in all its forms. It's a vibrant and well-known destination for design enthusiasts, from temporary exhibits to bookable pop-ups.

14. National Maritime Museum

Address: Romney Rd Greenwich London SE10 9NF

Website: rmg.co.uk

Timings: Everyday 10 am - 5 pm

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all; exhibitions might cost extra

Nearest Train Station: Maze Hill station (a 2-minute drive away)

This London museum is a tribute to art, maps, and artefacts related to the sea. Part of the Royal Museums, Greenwich is accompanied by the Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark ship, and Queen's House gallery. Discover around 2.5 million historical items, including Admiral Nelson's Trafalgar uniform.

15. Horniman Museum and Gardens

Address: Horniman Museums and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ

Website: horniman.ac.uk

Timings: Everyday 10 am - 5:30 pm and 7 am - 8:50 pm for the gardens

Entry Fee: Admission is free for all

Nearest Train Station: Honor Oak Park (a 6-minute drive away)

Due to its remote location, the Horniman offers a spacious and uncrowded experience compared to central London museums. Like an intricate train station, the grand structure includes vast natural history exhibits, an aquarium, wild-like gardens, and a Victorian conservatory within its 16-acre garden surroundings.

16. Fashion and Textile Museum

Address: Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3XF

Website: ftmlondon.org

Timings: Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am - 6 pm

Entry Fee: For adults: £9.90 per ticket

Concession Ticket: £6 - £7 per ticket

Nearest Train Station: London Bridge Station (a 3-minute drive away)

Zandra Rhodes, a British design trailblazer, founded the Fashion and Textile Museum. It features exciting displays of the history of fashion, the latest trends, and avant-garde collections of attire, fabrics, and jewellery. This is London's ultimate fashion destination.

17. Leighton House

Address: Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ

Website: leightonhouse.co

Timings: Wednesday to Monday from 10 am - 5:30 pm

Entry Fee: For adults: £9 per ticket

Concession Ticket: £7 per ticket

Nearest Train Station: Kensington Olympia Station (a 5-minute drive away)

The museum was created by architect George Aitchison, who designed Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton's (1830–1896) former London residence. It included a spectacular Qa'a room that served as a residence and a studio made with tiles and artefacts from the Near East.

18. Museum of Comedy, Bloomsbury

Address: Museum of Comedy, St George's Church, Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SR

Website: museumofcomedy.com

Timings: Everyday 6 pm - 10:30 pm

Entry Fee: For adults£4 per ticket

Nearest Train Station: Tottenham Court Road Station (a 6-minute drive away)

Can one comprehend culture without understanding its humour? With "One Ronnie," The Museum of Comedy seeks to reveal the fundamentals of British humour gradually. It serves as a reference library and is stocked with humour in various media, including books, DVDs, VHS, and LPs.

19. Museum of London Docklands

Address: No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL

Website: museumoflondon.org

‍Timings:  Everyday 10 am - 6 pm

‍Entry Fee: Admission is free for all

Nearest Train Station: Limehouse Station (a 5-minute drive away)

The Museum of London Docklands houses objects charting London's history as a port. Exhibits found within this 200-year-old warehouse include Sailortown, recreating what life was like in 19th-century London, Sugar & Slavery, and the capital's role in the transatlantic slave trade.

20. Bank of England Museum

Address: Bartholomew Ln, London EC2R 8AH

‍Website: bankofengland.co

‍Timings: Monday to Thursday, 10 pm - 5 pm

‍Entry Fee: Admission is free for all

Nearest Train Station: Cannon Street Station (a 6-minute drive away)

Discover how the Bank of England evolved from its founding by royal charter in 1694 to its development into England's central bank by taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the organization. Check out historical accounts of the financial sector and economy and see how, over time, it has transformed.

21. Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

Address: Church Rd, London SW19 5AF

‍Website: wimbledon.com

‍Timings: Everyday 10 am - 5 pm

‍Entry Fee: Adult: £25 per ticket

‍Concession: £21 ticket

Nearest Train Station: Wimbledon Station (a 6-minute drive away)

Visit Wimbledon's backstage area to learn more about the sport's origins in the UK. Learn about the players who gained fame there while taking a tour of the renowned fields. This museum is the largest dedicated tennis museum in the world. A treat for not just tennis but all sports lovers in general.

22. London Canal Museum

Address: 12/13 New Wharf Rd, London N1 9RT

‍Website: canalmuseum.org

‍Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am - 4:30 pm

‍Entry Fee: Adult: £6 per ticket

‍ Concession: £5 ticket

Nearest Train Station: London Kings Cross Station (a 4-minute drive away)

Discover canal history, from construction to daily life, including the role of horses on a narrowboat cabin. In a former ice warehouse, London's museum also covers the city's ice industry. Look inside a Victorian ice well-storing ice from Norway, crucial for keeping London cold.

23. The Postal Museum

Address: The Postal Museum, 15-20 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DA

‍Website: postalmuseum.org

‍Timings: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm

‍Entry Fee: Adult: £16 per ticket

‍Concession: £11 ticket (For 16-24 years old)

Nearest Train Station: Farringdon Station (a 4-minute drive away)

Explore London's postal history museum, tracing the city's original "social network." Discover the transformative impact of mail communication. Enjoy the Mail Rail, an entertaining ride through historic postal tunnels and stations.

24. The Garden Museum

Address: 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB

‍Website: gardenmuseum.org

‍Timings: Everyday 10 am - 5 pm

‍Entry Fee: Adult: £10 per ticket 

‍Concession: £5 ticket

Nearest Train Station: London Waterloo Station (a 5-minute drive away)

London's Garden Museum traces gardening's evolution, showcasing from early designs to modern garden gnomes. Exhibits include pieces from John Tradescant's collection, contemporary art, and notable gardens. With a store, cafe, and garden, it's a comprehensive experience.

25. Royal Air Force Museum London

Address: Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL

‍Website: rafmuseum.org

‍Timings: Everyday 10 am - 5 pm

‍Entry Fee: Admission is free for all, but exhibitions might cost extra

Nearest Train Station: Mill Hill Broadway Station (a 4-minute drive away)

The Royal Air Force Museum in London will take you on a historical flight through aviation. Explore the incredible collection of more than 100 aircraft, learn about the first balloon flight, and put your piloting prowess to the test in a 4D flying experience.

If you are not in London but still wish to visit some amazing museums in its neighbourhoods, no need to worry. Check out our blogs on 20 Best Museums in Nottingham, 15 Best Museums In Bristol and 25 Best Museums In Manchester.

And there you have it, folks, our picks for some of the best museums in London and as you might have noticed, most of them are free of cost, so you need not worry about your budget (p.s if you're having trouble budgeting then our guide to budgeting as a student might help, no need to thank us). We hope this compilation of some of the best museums in London provides you with the information to head out and explore them all.