A visit to one of the best museums in London should be on almost every itinerary. London has world-class collections covering natural history, science, design, art, transport and military history, and many of the major national museums are free.
If you are travelling to London with children, do not dismiss museums as a rainy-day fallback. The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and London Transport Museum are especially interactive, and in our experience they can win over children who initially complain about going to a museum.
Practical information and prices below were checked on 29 September 2026. Special exhibitions and experiences may cost extra, even where general admission is free.
1. Natural History Museum
This impressive museum is one of London’s most famous, and it remains one of our favourites for families. The beautiful Victorian building makes an impact before you have seen a single exhibit, while the blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall is a memorable welcome. The dinosaur galleries are usually the biggest draw, but leave time for mammals, volcanoes and earthquakes, minerals, human evolution and the free gardens.
- Entry: Free general admission; booking a free ticket is recommended to guarantee entry.
- Opening times: Daily 10.00–17.50, last entry 17.30; closed 24–26 December. Check the official visit page for exceptional closures.
- Nearest Underground: South Kensington.
- Good to know: Popular periods can be very busy. South Kensington also has plenty of cafés and restaurants if the museum cafés are crowded.
2. Science Museum
The Science Museum, next door to the Natural History Museum, is another excellent choice with children. Its galleries move from early engineering and space exploration to medicine, mathematics and modern technology. Wonderlab, the IMAX and flight simulators are paid experiences; the main museum is free.
- Entry: Free general admission, with a free timed ticket available online; some experiences cost extra.
- Opening times: Daily 10.00–18.00, last entry 17.15; closed 24–26 December. See the official visit page.
- Nearest Underground: South Kensington.
- Good to know: It is easy to combine with the Natural History Museum, but both are large enough to fill several hours on their own.
3. Victoria and Albert Museum
The V&A specialises in art, design and performance. Its vast collection ranges from fashion, jewellery and photography to sculpture, ceramics, furniture and architecture. It is also next to the Natural History and Science museums, making South Kensington London’s most useful museum cluster.
- Entry: Free general admission; temporary exhibitions and some events are charged.
- Opening times: Daily 10.00–17.45; Friday 10.00–22.00, although some galleries close earlier. Check the official visit page.
- Nearest Underground: South Kensington.
- Good to know: The historic café rooms and courtyard are worth including in the visit.
4. Tate Modern
Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station on the South Bank and focuses on international modern and contemporary art. The permanent collection and the vast Turbine Hall are free; major temporary exhibitions are ticketed. It is directly across the Millennium Bridge from St Paul’s Cathedral, so the two sights fit naturally into the same walk.
- Entry: Free general admission; charges apply to special exhibitions.
- Opening times: Sunday–Thursday 10.00–18.00; Friday–Saturday 10.00–21.00. Check the official visit page before travelling.
- Nearest stations: Southwark, Blackfriars or London Bridge.
- Good to know: The building and its river views are part of the appeal, even for visitors who are unsure about contemporary art.
5. Tate Britain
Tate Britain on Millbank presents British art from the sixteenth century to the present day. It is particularly strong on Turner, Blake, Constable and the Pre-Raphaelites, and it is usually calmer than Tate Modern.
- Entry: Free general admission; charges apply to major temporary exhibitions.
- Opening times: Daily 10.00–18.00; closed 24–26 December. See the official visit page.
- Nearest Underground: Pimlico; Westminster is farther but allows a pleasant riverside walk.
- Good to know: Current tours and talks vary, so consult the day’s programme rather than relying on an old fixed timetable.
6. National Gallery
The National Gallery faces Trafalgar Square and holds Western European paintings from the thirteenth to the early twentieth century. Highlights include works by Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Velázquez, Monet, Turner and Constable.
The National Portrait Gallery is a different institution next door in St Martin’s Place. It focuses on portraits of people who have shaped British history and culture, including the Chandos portrait of Shakespeare. Both galleries are free, so it is easy to visit them together.
- Entry: Free general admission at both galleries; some exhibitions are ticketed.
- National Gallery hours: Daily 10.00–18.00; Friday until 21.00. See the official visit page.
- National Portrait Gallery hours: Sunday–Thursday 10.30–18.00; Friday–Saturday 10.30–21.00. See the official visit page.
- Nearest Underground: Charing Cross.
7. British Museum
The British Museum offers an enormous journey through world cultures and history. The Great Court, Rosetta Stone, Egyptian sculpture, Assyrian reliefs and Parthenon sculptures are among the best-known displays. It is impossible to see everything in one visit, so choose two or three areas in advance.
- Entry: Free general admission; advance booking is recommended and special exhibitions are charged.
- Opening times: Daily 10.00–17.00; Friday until 20.30. Check the official visit page.
- Nearest Underground: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn or Russell Square.
- Good to know: Friday evening is useful if you want to fit a museum into an already full sightseeing day.
8. London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum in Covent Garden tells the story of the capital through buses, trams, trains, posters and station design. There is plenty of hands-on play, making this one of the strongest paid museums for families.
- Entry: The standard adult Annual Pass is £27 and under-18s enter free; everyone needs a timed ticket. An off-peak pass and concessions are also available. Check current official prices and ticket conditions.
- Opening times: Daily 10.00–18.00, last entry 17.00.
- Nearest Underground: Covent Garden.
- Good to know: The pass permits return visits under its conditions, useful if younger children run out of energy.
⇒ Check ticket options: London Transport Museum
9. Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is London’s best-known wax museum, with celebrity figures, themed zones and several included experiences. It is a busy timed-entry attraction rather than a traditional free museum, so advance booking matters.
- Entry: Dynamic pricing. Standard tickets currently start from £27 for adults and £24 for children aged 2–15 when booked online; the listed walk-up prices are £39 and £35. Under-twos are free but must be included in the booking. Check the official ticket page for your date.
- Opening times: Vary by date, with last entry often before closing; use the official calendar.
- Nearest Underground: Baker Street.
- Good to know: Online booking guarantees entry for the selected time and is normally cheaper than walking up.
⇒ Check ticket options: Madame Tussauds
10. HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast is a museum ship permanently moored on the Thames beside London Bridge. Visitors explore nine decks, from the engine and boiler rooms to the operations room and gun turrets, to understand what life was like on board during wartime. It is one of my favourite museums in London and a particularly good choice with older children, although the ladders and confined spaces require care.
- Entry: For visits from 2 September 2026, the official booking system lists adult admission at £26.80 without the voluntary donation (£29.50 with donation). Members and under-fives enter free; check the official booking page for other age groups and discounts.
- Opening times: Daily 10.00–18.00, last entry 17.00; closed 24–26 December.
- Nearest Underground: London Bridge.
- Good to know: Allow around two to three hours and wear practical shoes. Step-free access is limited by the historic ship.
⇒ Check ticket options: HMS Belfast
Other recommended museums in London
If you have more time, these are also worth considering:
- Buckingham Palace State Rooms during the seasonal opening.
- Churchill War Rooms.
- Imperial War Museum London.
- The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret.
- Sherlock Holmes Museum.
- London Museum: the former London Wall site is closed; the new free museum at Smithfield opens on 28 November 2026. London Museum Docklands remains open in the meantime.
- Design Museum.
- Sir John Soane’s Museum.
Best museums in London: map
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.