Top 9 Best Museums in London

London has emerged as one of the top tourist spots in the world. London tourism is booming, marked by the rise in various events and growth over the past 2000 years of its existence. Tourists often wonder which is the best museum in London that wouldn’t cost too much.

London welcomes numerous tourists every year. But, what is London famous for? The travellers come for the various cultural attractions coupled with the  long list of best art museums in London. It also has art galleries with works that range from classical to modern, from well-known sites to unexplored gems. Each one gives you a glimpse into a different time period. London's historical places take you back in time, whether you walk down streets that are hundreds of years old or are amazed by stunning buildings. Visitors look for the best museum in London, since the city is a cultural treasure spot ready to be explored, with many museums, art galleries and stunning buildings.

You can get British Museum tickets online or at the ticket desks on arrival.

Best Free Museums in London that you must visit:

Museums are places where you can visit if you’ve a quest to know about the history and want to look back at the intricacies of the city. So, let’s check out some of the most famous museums in the UK, which you can visit without actually paying for them! But, are all museums in London free? Keep reading. 

1. The British Museum 

Location: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B3DG

Timings:   10 am to 5 pm, everyday

Website: British Museum

Entry Fee: No entry fees are required; you might have to pay for exhibitions to visit. In short, British museum tickets are free.

The British Museum generally ranks as the best museum in London for its rich historical collections. You can explore famous artefacts and collections of over 8 million works in this London museum . Rosetta Stone, Enlightenment gallery, Sutton Hoo mask and ship burial collection, Egyptian mummies, Medieval objects and other valuable assets are some of the million collectables of the British Museum.

You don’t actually have to pay to visit the space and seek an overlook of the permanent collections yet the exhibition needs tickets which are paid for. Also, students are often taken on school trips to the best museum in London, which is the British Museum. 

2. The Bank of England Museum

Location: Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R8AH

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm, everyday

Website: Museum | Bank of England

Entry Fees: No entry fees

The Bank of England Museum, London itself has a vast history. Established in 1964 this museum is home to valuable collections like Roman gold, Tally sticks, Coinage and notes, Recruitment brochures in the 1960s, secret marks and the list goes on. Did you know that other than being considered the best museum in London, it is nicknamed The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street?

The Bank of England Museum is free to enter.

3. Museum of London Docklands

Location: Museum of London Docklands, No. 1 West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd., London E144AL

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm, everyday

Website: Museum of London Docklands | Free museum in London

Entry Fees: No entry fees required

The Museum of London Docklands is the sister branch of the Museum of London which is supposed to be closed till 2026. This place is the right spot for a quick sneak peek into the history of London. It is quite a place to learn about the River Thames, the Atlantic slave trade and many other historic events.

The museum does not charge an entry fee and you can visit there absolutely every day of the week. We think that’s enough reason to call it the best museum in London, isn’t it?

4. The Science Museum, London

Location: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW72DD, UK

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm

Website: Home | Science Museum

Entry Fees: No entry fees required 

The Science Museum in London exhibits scientific achievements that must be in the human eye today as they stand as a great acknowledgement. The Crick and Watson’s DNA molecular model from 1953, Helen Sharman’s space suit from 1991, Alexander Cumming’s barographic clock from 1766 and many other such collectables have been a proven milestone in the history of science.

The entry here is free as well.

5. Natural History Museum, London

Location: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW75BD

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm, everyday

Website: Home | Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk)

Entry Fees: No entry fees required

The Natural History Museum is a place that stands out as the World's leading dinosaur gallery. It consists of ornate architecture, meteorites of outer space and other such natural yet historic events in the past. Hence the name. Many tourists tout the Natural History Museum as the best museum in London, given its impressive exhibits related to the natural world.

There is no entry fee charged in the Natural History Museum, London. The Natural History Museum London has become a must-visit tourist spot in recent years.  

6. Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Location: Cromwell Road, London SW72RL

Timings: 10 am to 5:45 pm

Website: The family of art, design and performance museums · V&A (vam.ac.uk)

Entry Fees: No entry fees required

Victoria and Albert Museum is known for its exquisite collectables which stand all across the world. You can find Ardabil carpet, Tipu’s Tiger, and a wine cup of White Nephrite Jade made for the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. You can also find the great bed of ware and others. All these factors often lift its status as the best museum in London.

Hard to digest, the visit is absolutely free.

7. Museum of Home

Location: 136 Kingsland road, London E28EA

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm and remains closed on Monday

Website: Home | Museum of the Home

Entry Fees: No entry fees required

The Museum of Home which was formerly known as the Geffrye Museum speaks about the evolution and changing landscapes of the domestic interiors from 1600 to the present.

The Museum of Home is also a delight of a visit and interestingly provides free entry.

8 National Gallery of London

Location: Trafalgar sq. London WC2N5DN

Timings: 10 am to 6 pm on an average day

Website: The National Gallery, London
Entry Fees: No entry fees required

National Gallery as the name suggests comprises certain prominent paintings of history. The paintings include Rokeby Venus by Diego Velazquez, Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh, The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci and many such beautiful pieces. 

This is too free to visit.

9.Tate Modern Museum, London

Location: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE19TG

Timings: 10 am to 6 pm, everyday

Website: Tate Modern | Tate

Entry Fees: No entry fees required

Tate Modern Museum is another place in London where you can find some amazing art pieces like Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso, Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol and other such exquisite art pieces.

The entry to this museum does not carry any entry charges.

10 The National Portrait Gallery

Location: St. Martins Place, London WC2H0HE

Timings: 10:30 am to 6 pm, every day 

Website: Home - National Portrait Gallery (npg.org.uk)

Entry Fees: No entry fees required

The National Portrait Gallery is famous for its historical portraits that can help you go back in time and have a quick sneak peek of historical events and history.

The entry here in The National Portrait Gallery is free

Some Frequently Asked Questions:

The Natural History Museum and the British Museum are the most visited museums in London. 

Other than being the best museum in London, the British Museum is also the biggest one in London.

Generally, it takes 1 to 2 hours depending on how interested you are in diving deeper.

If you are dealing with any disability the museums do offer wheelchairs, gift shops, wifi, etc.

It depends on the location. Various places have a different set of restrictions.

The British Museum has several artifacts from Tipu Sultan's court, including his sword as well as the tiger-striped throne.  

The British Museum brings together different world cultures. It is deservedly called the best museum in London, given the extensive breadth and depth, and beauty.

Key Takeaway:

Once you start exploring the London city, you might be looking at the first-timer’s guide that will help you get around with ease. London has a long and deep history sprinkled with various important historical events. This factor is one of the main reasons you can absolutely visit the suggested best museum in London as well as the best free museums in London.

If you are searching for the “best museums in London” or “best museums in London for free”, then there is a huge possibility that you live in London or are planning to visit the city as a tourist or a student aspiring for their upcoming educational goals. 

For the above case, you might need Best Student Halls for convenient accommodation for your future goals. Besides, if you are looking to explore more, you can visit some of the best restaurants in London or the best cafes in London.