While London can be an expensive city, where it often feels like you’re constantly spending money, that doesn’t have to be the case. There’s plenty to see and do for free in London! From art and history to culture, London offers a variety of free museums where you can explore rich collections without spending a penny. In this guide, we’ll highlight the best free museums in London, perfect for experiencing the city’s heritage on a budget.
15 Best Free Museums in London
British Museum
Founded in 1759, the British Museum is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned museums. With over eight million artifacts across 70 galleries, it traces human history, from ancient civilizations to modern times, including regions such as Ancient Iran, Greece, China, and Roman Britain. It also features themed exhibitions and daily activities for children. General admission to the British Museum is free, with permanent galleries being accessed. But remember to book a timed entry ticket beforehand.
- Location: 44 Great Russell St.
- Transportation Details: Tottenham Court Road (5 minutes walk), Holborn, and Russell Square (8 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily and until 8:30 PM on Fridays
- Admission Details: Entry to the permanent collection is free, but certain temporary exhibitions require a ticket
- Notable Exhibits: Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Sculptures, Assyrian Reliefs, the Mummy of Cleopatra, and Elgin Marbles
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is free for visiting, with one of the biggest collections of rare animals in the world, including a stunning dinosaur gallery with skeletons over 4.5 billion years old. The museum is organized into 5 primary collections: entomology, botany, paleontology, mineralogy, and zoology, offering a captivating experience for anyone, especially for kids, interested in the natural sciences. You’d better book a ticket in advance in case waiting long during peak hours.
- Location: Cromwell Road
- Transportation Details: South Kensington (5 minute walk) and Gloucester Road (12 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:50 PM daily (last admission at 5:30 PM)
- Admission Details: Entry is free, but some exhibitions require a ticket
- Notable Exhibits: Hope (huge blue whale skeleton), Imilac meteorite, Early hominid fossils, and Dinosaur fossils
The National Gallery
The National Gallery in London is one of the best free art museums in London. It displays an outstanding collection of Western European paintings spanning from the 13th to the 19th century. With over 2,000 artworks, it includes masterpieces by artists like Da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Turner, showcasing the richness of European art history.
- Location: Trafalgar Square
- Transportation Details: Charing Cross (4 minutes walk), Leicester Square (5 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily and until 9:00 PM on Fridays
- Admission Details: The permanent collection is free, but tickets for temporary exhibitions are available on the website
- Notable Exhibits: The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh, and The Fighting Temeraire by J.M.W. Turner
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern, opened in 2000 in a former power station, is one of the UK’s top contemporary art museums in London with free entrance. Expanded in 2016, it features works from 1500 to today across 88 galleries on 7 floors, showcasing artists like Dalì, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, and Warhol. Everyone has free general entry to the Tate Modern gallery and its main collection. It’s wise to check the Tate Modern website for details on special exhibitions that may require an extra ticket before visiting.
- Location: Thames Bankside
- Transportation Details: Southwark (6 minutes walk), Blackfriars (8 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday-Sunday (last admission at 5:30 PM)
- Admission Details: Free entry to the main gallery. Some temporary exhibitions require admission
- Notable Exhibits: Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, Yellow Islandsby Jackson Pollock, and Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol
Tate Britain
Tate Britain is one of the free art museums in London. It features British art from the 16th century to today, including works by Turner, Gainsborough, Hogarth, Constable, and Bacon. Housed in a Portland stone building on the riverside, it’s connected to Tate Modern by a Tate-to-Tate boat service, available on Saturdays.
- Location: Millbank
- Transportation Details: Pimlico (10 minutes walk), Vauxhall (15 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday-Sunday
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: Ophelia by John Everett Millais, Norham Castle, Sunriseby JMW Turner
Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum is an organization with collections across London, with the main museum in Lambeth housing the most extensive collection. It showcases modern conflicts from WWI to the present, with exhibits like the World War Galleries, Holocaust Galleries, and the Lord Ashcroft Gallery (featuring Victoria Crosses). General admission to the IWM London’s permanent and most temporary exhibitions is free. If you have a membership for IWM, you’ll have free access to all IWM locations.
- Location: Lambeth Road
- Transportation Details: Lambeth North (7 minutes walk), Elephant and Castle (10 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday-Sunday
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: Spitfire aircraft, Naval guns, Surveillance drone
The Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum hosts over 2.3 million objects, making it the world’s leading art and design museum. Its collections include fashion, furniture, sculpture, photography, Chinese ceramics, and modern items like Nike shoes and Mac computers, offering a rich history of creativity.You can enter the V&A and visit its permanent collections for free. Some specific temporary exhibitions may require you to buy a separate ticket.
- Location: Cromwell Road
- Transportation Details: South Kensington (5 minutes walk), Gloucester Road (10 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 05:45 PM daily and until 10:00 PM on Fridays
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: the seven Raphael Cartoons, the Ardabil carpet, and the Luck of Edenhall
Grant Museum of Zoology
Founded in 1828 to teach comparative anatomy, the Grant Museum of University College London, housed in a former Edwardian library, offers a chance to see 68,000 specimens, including rare and extinct creatures. After a £300,000 refurb in 2024, the museum now highlights biodiversity, cutting-edge research, and humanity’s impact on zoology. Entry to the Grant Museum of Zoology is free of charge, and you don’t need to reserve tickets in advance. But if you are visiting in a group, you’ll have to book tickets in advance.
- Location: Rockefeller Building, University College London, 21 University St
- Transportation Details: Euston (10 minutes walk), Gloucester Road (10 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Tuesday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: African Rock Python skull, Animal brains, Dodo skeleton, Quagga skeleton, Bisected heads
The Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection, housed in the grand Hertford House, features 18th-century French paintings, sculptures, furniture, armor, and porcelain. The collection, gifted to the British nation in the late 1800s, offers a glimpse into the lavish world of European aristocracy and frequently hosts temporary exhibitions. Admission to the Wallace Collection in London is free and unticketed.
- Location: Hertford House
- Transportation Details: Bond St (7 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: The Swingby Fragonard, The Laughing Cavalier by Franz Hals, Venus and Adonis by Titian
Wellcome Collection
The Wellcome Collection is a free museum in London, founded by Sir Henry Wellcome. It showcases over 250,000 items, including medical curiosities, artwork, and audio-visual collections. Spanning the 14th century to the present, it explores health, wellness, and the human experience. Its collections feature prints, photographs, films, oral histories, and public health materials.
- Location: 183 Euston Rd
- Transportation Details: Euston St (7 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours:
- Gallery and Reading Room: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day, until 8:00 PM on Thursdays, closed on Monday
- Library: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day, until 8:00 PM on Thursdays, until 4:00 PM on Saturdays, closed on Sunday
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: Napoleon’s toothbrush, Ivory carvings of pregnant women, and Used guillotine blades
Bank of England Museum
The Bank of England Museum takes you through the history of British currency, from the Bank’s founding in 1694 to the present. It features interactive exhibits on monetary policy, the central banking system, and the important role the Bank has played in British history. The Bank of England Museum is free to visit, no reservations or tickets are needed.
- Location: Threadneedle St, Bartholomew Lane
- Transportation Details: Bank station (1 minute walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Friday, until 8:00 PM on every third Thursday of the month
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: a real 13kg gold bar, rare banknotes and coins, the ‘Kenneth Grahame and the Bank of England’ display
Science Museum
The Science Museum offers an engaging journey through science, technology, and innovation. With seven floors of interactive exhibits, it explores everything from biology to astronomy. The museum features galleries on contemporary science, medicine, and space exploration, as well as hands-on areas for both children and adults. Science Museum is free for the public to enter, but pre-booking is required.
- Location: Exhibition Road
- Transportation Details: South Kensington (5 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day (last admission at 5:15 PM)
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: Boulton and Watt rotative beam engine, Helen Sharman’s space suit, Crick and Watson’s DNA molecular model, and Amy Johnson’s Gipsy Moth plane
National Army Museum
The National Army Museum, features 2,500 objects across five galleries that explore the history of the British Army. The exhibits cover various aspects of military life, including the evolution of the army, its impact on society, and the experiences of soldiers through different conflicts. All visitors can enter the National Army Museum’s galleries for free.
- Location: Royal Hospital Rd
- Transportation Details: Sloane Square (10 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: a captain’s uniform from the Battle of the Somme, frost-bitten toes from Mount Everest, and modern prosthetics for wounded soldiers.
Museum of London Docklands
The Museum of London Docklands, housed in a 200-year-old warehouse, explores the history of the Thames port and its diverse communities. It traces the area’s evolution from Roman times to the rise of Canary Wharf, showcasing port trades and historic collections. The Museum of London Docklands is free to all, while certain special exhibitions may require separate payment. It’s suggested that you check the detailed information on their official website.
- Location: 1 Warehouse, Hertsmere Road
- Transportation Details: Canary Wharf (10 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: Metropolitan Fire Brigade footage and captured Nazi footage
Young V&A
The Young V&A is a vibrant, creative, and free London museum showcasing a world-class collection of toys, dolls’ houses, and costumes. With interactive exhibits and play areas, it offers a fun cultural experience for children and families, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in the history of childhood and creativity.
- Location: Cambridge Heath Road
- Transportation Details: Bethnal Green Station (5 minutes walk)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM daily
- Admission Details: Free entry
- Notable Exhibits: Dolls’ Houses Collection, 1970s Puppets
Tips for Visiting London’s Free Museums & Galleries
London is home to many fantastic free museums, making it a great destination for culture lovers on a budget. To enhance the effectiveness of your London tour and the experience of visiting, here are some tips to help you make the most of your free galleries and museums in London.
Check the Opening Hours
Check each museum’s opening hours before your visit, as some stay open later on certain days. This can help you plan around quieter times, especially if you have flexibility in your schedule.
Know The Best Times to Visit
Try to visit museums on weekdays and avoid busy times like early mornings or late afternoons. This will give you a more relaxed visit and avoid the feeling of overcrowding.
Check Recommended Transportation
Public transport, especially the London Tube, is the most efficient way to get around London. Many museums, especially ones in South Kensington, are close to each other, so walking between them can save time and give you a feel for the area.
Stay in a Nearby Location
If you’re planning to visit London and explore its rich cultural offerings, staying near London’s museums will make your experience less stressful by cutting down on travel time. With the best museums London has and attractions just a short walk away, you can enjoy more of the city’s rich culture without the hassle of long trips or crowded transport, letting you explore more in a day. It’s a relaxed, convenient way to experience museums in London free from worry.
From cozy apartments to spacious family homes, you can find them on uhomes.com, as it offers a variety of affordable and comfortable rental options, all conveniently located near London’s top museums.
Final Wrap-up
To sum up, London’s free museums offer a wealth of experiences, from art and history to science and culture. With a little planning by checking opening hours, visiting during quieter times, and staying nearby, you can enjoy these iconic attractions without the stress. Whether exploring ancient artifacts at the British Museum or marveling at space exploration at the Science Museum, free museums in London provide unforgettable experiences. Make the most of your visit and immerse yourself in the city’s incredible heritage and creativity.
FAQs
Top museums in London, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum, offer free entry to their permanent collections. You only need to pay for some special exhibits, but most of the main collections are free!
Thanks to a UK government policy that ensures London museums free for everyone. There are not only museums but also a lot of free art galleries in London. By letting everyone visit the Natural History Museum for free, it makes learning about nature, science, and the planet open to all, so more people can explore and enjoy it.
Thanks to a UK government policy that ensures London museums free for everyone. There are not only museums but also a lot of free art galleries in London. By letting everyone visit the Natural History Museum for free, it makes learning about nature, science, and the planet open to all, so more people can explore and enjoy it.
The Natural History Museum in London is one of the best free museums in London England for kids. Highlights include the Dinosaur Gallery with life-size skeletons, the blue whale model in Hintze Hall, and the interactive Investigate Centre. It’s a fun, educational experience for children to explore specimens and conduct experiments.
For general entry, most free museums do not require booking tickets in advance. However, some special exhibitions, events, or timed-entry galleries may require tickets. It’s best to check the museum’s website ahead of your visit for any booking requirements, especially during peak times or special events.
Yes, most free museums in London are open daily. However, it’s recommended to double-check the opening hours on each museum’s website, as some museums might have late openings on specific days (e.g., late nights on Fridays) or may be closed on certain public holidays.
