Some of the best attractions in London are the museums. With the city being dated so far back and layered in history, their is so much to for it to display. The best bit is, nearly all of London’s major museums are totally free! In this little list, I’ve put together ten of my personal favourite museums for you to enjoy. So get off your couches, hop on a bus, and come learn something new.

Museum of London

Follow London’s history from prehistoric times all the way to the present day. This museum is super well designed and laid out. You make your way through the galleries in chronological order: Prehistoric, Bronze Age, Roman, Mediaeval, Tudor and Stuart, Georgian, Victorian, and lastly 20th Century. I love this museum because you can see the process in how things changed over the years thanks to the well ordered exhibits.

Highlights: The Victorian Walk: A fully recreated Victorian street with over a dozen storefronts from a tailor to a toy store to a grocery.  A recreated interior of a roman house. Remains of the London Wall.

The London Museum is now (2025) closed as it moves into its new, state of the art premises

Bank of England Museum

A smaller museum on the Bank of England and its role in finance. See the history of the bank and the people behind it, explore the relationship banking had with slavery, and check out some old coins, notes, and even some gold. 

Highlights: At the front of the museum there’s a great interactive section for children. See how the notes were made over the years and the security features to stop counterfeiting. 

British Museum:

The centrepiece of London’s museums. The British Museum is without doubt one of the most renowned museums on the planet. Its massive collection of artefacts, from a huge range of ages and empires, is unrivalled. The architecture of the building is in itself a marvel.

Highlights: See preserved Egyptian Mummies, view part of the Rosetta Stone, come face to face with a Moai (the Easter Island head statues), and admire Greek and Roman sculptures aplenty.

Science Museum:

A firm favourite amongst London families, London’s Science Museum is an enormous show of anything and everything scientific. With tons of innovative interactive games and displays to satisfy all ages.

Highlights: Learn what makes you who you are in the fabulously interactive Who Am I Gallery, with well thought out games and quizzes geared for all ages. Explore city-building and problem solving in “Engineer Your Future”, again, fabulously interactive. See some truly Out-Of-This-World objects in the Exploring Space Gallery.

Natural History Museum:

Housed in an astounding Romanesque terracotta building, the architecture of the museum is in itself a good reason to visit. The contents don’t disappoint either, with scores of fossils, glittering minerals, and taxidermy to gaze at. Most of the galleries are made to be very exciting so that children’s attention are piqued.

Highlights: The massive dinosaur hall is a well deserved favourite. The Mammal hall with it’s to-size scale whales and elephants is amazing. Feel the 1955 Kobe earthquake in the famous Earthquake Simulator.

Army Museum: 

This museum takes you through the history of the army, how it influenced global events, and life in the army. There are many interactive exhibits for the youngsters.

Highlights: The museum has many temporary performances, talks, workshops, and exhibits. These are very common but make sure to check online to see which ones will be on by your visit. (some of these cost but many are free).

RAF Museum:

Museum of the British Royal Air Force (RAF), built on a former airbase. Many planes from different eras on display and many different simulator experiences.

Highlights: Seeing the WW planes such as the Spitfire. The many simulator type activities available (these all cost)

V&A Museum:

Lavish museum of style and decor through the ages. Most of the exhibits are of fancy household items (beds, cutlery etc..), showing the designs that changed over the years. They’re also many sculptures and paintings to see. If you have an eye for detail, you’ll love this place. One possible shortcoming is that there isn’t much interaction going on, so this might not be the best museum for children.

Highlights: The European Renaissance Hall is jaw droppingly impressive, as is the sculpture hall. Upstairs, you’ll find the jewellery hall, which is staggeringly shiny and expensive looking, and beautiful of course. 

Imperial War Museum:

Amazing museum following recent wars. The world wars have a floor each, with the third floor being dedicated to more recent conflicts and an exhibit on the holocaust. The world war exhibits in particular are superbly done, with a great mix of artefacts, multimedia, and interactive pieces. 

Highlights: Both world war galleries are prime examples of the perfect museum exhibit, somehow making the exhibit exciting and riveting without losing any of the horror and calamity the wars brought. 

London Docklands Museum:

The Museum of London’s sister museum, the Docklands Museum follows the history of London’s docks, primarily Canary Wharf, where the museum is located. Like its City counterpart, the galleries are well set up so that you follow on chronologically. Highlights: The exhibit on slavery and sugar is eye-opening, while the sailors town walkthrough area is wholly engrossing.

That was my list of ten free museums. They’re so many more though, let me know your favourites in the comment section.