London Top 15 Free Museums To Visit

Visit these best free museums and galleries in London to learn about some fantastic value cultural experiences.

Savor the finest of London’s cultural offerings without spending a dime, including the city’s numerous free world-class exhibitions, gorgeous art galleries, and ancient homes. While temporary exhibitions may need admission fees, the permanent collections of these museums and galleries are free to view.

It’s no surprise that London is one of the world’s cultural capitals with so many free things to see and do, like many of the amazing museums and galleries in the city!

Below are many suggestions, not listed in any particular sequence.

1. British Museum

Explore the global history of humanity by means of the remarkable array of artifacts housed in the British Museum. It costs nothing to view the permanent collection, which includes treasures like the Parthenon statues and the Rosetta Stone.

Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom

2. National Gallery

Visit the National Gallery to see more than 2,000 paintings spanning the Middle Ages to the 20th century. View the paintings of painters from Western Europe, including Da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Van Gogh.

Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom

3. Natural History Museum

Discover intriguing natural history exhibits as you meander through the magnificent halls of the Natural History Museum. Admire the skeletons of dinosaurs or stop in awe of Hope, a massive blue whale.

Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom

4. Science Museum

With the help of the interactive exhibits at the Science Museum, discover the wonders of science for yourself. The permanent collection, which features over 15,000 pieces, features displays that are a must-see, like Amy Johnson’s Gipsy Moth plane.

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

5. IWM London

Visit the Imperial War Museum to learn about the complex past of contemporary warfare. You are guided through the tales of contemporary conflicts, starting with the First World War and ending with the present, with engaging exhibits.

Address: Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ, United Kingdom

6. National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum, located in the historic Maritime Greenwich, displays the history of British naval operations, ranging from naval wars to exploration missions. See historic ship models and charts, and don’t forget to see the famous outfit that Nelson wore on the day of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Address: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF, United Kingdom

7. Victoria and Albert Museum

With over 2.3 million art and design artifacts, the Victoria and Albert Museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections. Explore its exquisite galleries and retrace the evolution of creativity via jewelry, fashion, furniture, sculpture, and photography, among other mediums.

Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, United Kingdom

8. Tate Modern

Visit Tate Modern to witness the transformation of a power plant into London’s hub for modern and contemporary art. Explore the renowned Turbine Hall, which has played host to large-scale works, and take in the breathtaking river view from the gallery’s cafe. You can also find performance art, fine art, and photos.

Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG, United Kingdom

9. Tate Britain

Tate Britain is home to some of the greatest examples of British art from 1500 onward, including the largest collection of JMW Turner pieces worldwide. Admire breathtaking paintings by Whistler, Bacon, and Gainsborough by taking a stroll around the British Art rooms.

Address: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, United Kingdom

10. Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre

Is it true that London is home to a Roman amphitheater? Discover this incredible artifact from ancient times, discovered in 1988 by archaeologists excavating the Guildhall Art Gallery site. Free admission is offered to the amphitheater and galleries.

Address: Basinghall St, London EC2V 5AE, United Kingdom

11. Queen’s House

Enter Queen’s House, an exquisite work of art by Inigo Jones, and you will find rare Greenwich pieces by Turner, Lowry, and Canaletto in addition to the one-of-a-kind Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. The gorgeous Tulip Stairs are a must-see for the ideal Instagram photo.

Address: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF, United Kingdom

12. Sir John Soane’s Museum

Discover Sir John Soane’s Museum, the former residence of the Bank of England’s architect. In addition to the genuine Seti I sarcophagus, his historic home is home to an extensive collection of paintings, architectural plans, and antiques.

Address: 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP, United Kingdom

13. Horniman Museum and Gardens

Visit the unusual Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill to see a unique collection of natural history, anthropology, and musical instruments. A pretty unattractive merman and an enormous overstuffed taxidermy walrus are two of the strangest sights in London.

Address: 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ, United Kingdom

14. London Mithraeum

Explore the historic Roman Temple of Mithrus, which dates back to AD 240 and was subterranean under the streets of the City of London for centuries before its discovery in 1954. Use interactive exhibits and artifacts discovered during excavations to retrace the history of the London Mithraeum.

Address: 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA, United Kingdom

15. British Library

Explore some of the most significant literary treasures on the planet at the British Library, the national library of the United Kingdom. Admire the ancient manuscripts, find a unique Magna Carta, and examine Shakespeare’s First Folio.

Address: 96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB, United Kingdom