12 Best Free Museums in London

Are you searching the best free museums in London to visit during your trip in the English capital?

A trip to London can be expensive. Landing fees make flying there expensive, and once you get there, high average nightly rates hurt your wallet even more.

There is a bright spot, however: free-to-visit museums.

Because London is home to many world treasures, you can have a fantastic vacation visiting museums without paying a dime for admission. Awesome, right? You can save some money and buy London souvenirs and items!

12 Best Free Museums in London

To learn about the best free museums in London, keep scrolling.

1. Science Museum

The Science Museum is one of the best museums in London for free. Visiting this museum is an excellent opportunity to learn more about anything you’ve ever wanted to know. Its incredible collections have been captivating visitors since 1857.

The Museum also hosts several entertaining “Lates” events for adults only. The calendar includes events ranging from talks to Fabergé egg crafting and silent discos, so check it out and plan ahead. Visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk to find out more.

The Science Museum is located in London at Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, SW7 2DD. You must have a ticket to enter.

2. Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is one of London’s most exciting free museums.
Dinosaur Dippy has left. Hope, a blue whale skeleton, hangs in the museum’s Hintze Hall. It’s an exciting museum’s remarkable entrance.

Learn about Earth’s past, follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs, or ride the escalator up to the solar system to explore deep space. You’d love this London Museum even if natural history wasn’t your thing at school.

Natural History Museum is at Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD. You can get free tickets at the door, but you can also book a ticket online. Check out www.nhmc.ack.uk for more info.

4. British Museum

If you want to visit the British Museum, comfortable shoes and plenty of time are needed with its unique and vast collection gathered over the years.

It is undoubtedly one of the best free museums in London, offering a remarkable journey through human history. Even a full day will leave many wonders unexplored if you only spend an afternoon or morning exploring.

It’s genuinely mesmerizing to stand only inches from some of history’s most significant artifacts, such as the Rosetta Stone, which was used to decode Egyptian hieroglyphics or beautiful artwork from Mesopotamia’s ancient civilization.

British Museum is located at Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, with no pass required during weekdays. For free tickets, book here.

4. The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)

This Brompton Museum is regal, not just because Queen Victoria and Prince Albert opened it, but because of its amazing architecture, making it one of the best museums in London to visit on a budget.

The Victorian Gothic architecture is impressive, but wait until you go inside. The V&A comprises over two million art and design artifacts on five acres.

See the world’s greatest collection of post-classical sculptures (500–1450 AD), William Morris designs, fashion displays, and more.

Bags: Inside Out explores decades of fashion’s most famous accessory. This best free museum is located at Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, SW7 5BD, with no pass required.

Please note that while admission is free, there are some events and exhibitions that charge a fee. Visit www.vam.ac.uk for more detils.

5. Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum, tucked away in Kennington, is a sensory overload that immerses you in the horrific reality of war.

The museum provides an uncompromising and often poignant look at modern combat and its impact on people and society through a diverse collection of letters, films, photographs, and artifacts.

The collection is particularly noteworthy since it presents a wide range of perspectives, from those on the front lines of modern combat to journalists, artists, and poets who have written about it.

This fantastic museum is located at Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ. Book your ticket in advance here so you can ensure your free entrance.

6. Museum of London

With so many free museums in London presenting artifacts from all over the world, the Museum of London takes an entirely different approach, focusing on the history of our strange and fascinating city.

The museum chronicles the history of London from the prehistoric periods to the present day, focusing on the personalities who have lived there. It’s an enthralling look at the events and people who have shaped the great metropolis into what it is today.

Outside the museum, you can still see vestiges of the Roman wall built around early London 2,000 years ago.

Enjoy the free visit at 150 London Wall, Barbican, London EC2Y 5HN, with an entry pass available online.

7. Queen’s House

Queen’s House, located in the former royal house of Queen Anne of Denmark, is a relatively new addition to Greenwich’s Museum collection.

In fact, touring the beautiful neoclassical buildings is just as enjoyable as seeing the art displayed within. It is a noteworthy building in British architecture, built in 1637.
Nonetheless, the art is also rather impressive. Make sure to see the iconic Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I.

Despite its reputation, historians are still determining who painted the 1588 masterwork, as previous attributions to painter George Gower were proven wrong.

The Queen’s House is located at Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF. Free tickets are available online.

8. National Maritime Museum

Greenwich is brimming with gems, the best of which is the unexpectedly fine National Maritime Museum, while the Painted Hall comes close.

You don’t have to be a history geek to appreciate Britain’s maritime past. It’s fascinating to trace the history of the waters in Britain from the Roman invasion of Greenwich onward.

Keep a look out for temporary exhibitions on topics ranging from Ansel Adams to Astronomy Photographer of the Year, most of which require paid tickets.

This fantastic museum can be found at Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF. It is entirely free, but make sure to book online in advance online to guarantee entry.

9. Sir John Soane’s Museum

Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn is an eccentric and completely adorable museum that is one of London’s most excellent tiny museums.

Sir John Soane had humble origins but became a distinguished architect, most notably for designing the Bank of England, which affected architectural trends worldwide.

Most of his work in the Bank of England has been dismantled, but you may still visit his museum. It’s in his former home (and a few nearby buildings) and showcases his paintings, furniture, antiques, and curiosities.

Sir John Soane’s Museum is located at 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP, with no pass required. Check out the museum’s website for more details.

10. The British Library

We adore the beautiful red brick structures of the British Library, which houses the world’s largest national library.

Nobody knows how many books are housed in the British Library. The best estimates place it between 150 and 200 million in the collections. Isn’t that incredible?

A large portion of the structure is off-limits to readers. Still, there are a few exhibition halls where there is always something intriguing going on.

The British Library is located at 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB. Tickets are only needed for reading rooms. Plan your visit here.

11. London Mithraeum

One of London’s odder and lesser-known locales is a literal mix of old and new.

The London Mithraeum is a museum centered on the remnants of a Roman Temple that is weirdly positioned beneath the gleaming glass Bloomberg headquarters in the city’s heart.

A visit to the Mithraeum is more than just looking at old artifacts; it is an immersive sensory experience. There’s a timed entry where you’re thrown into the Roman world for ten minutes of drama and excitement. You’re on the right track if you imagine chanting and dramatic lighting.

The museum address is 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA. Book your visit here.

12. The Design Museum

After many years on the Thames’ bank, the Design Museum relocated to its new spectacular Kensington location in 2016.

The Design Museum, housed in an ultra-modern new structure, takes you on a journey through the fascinating history of design throughout the years. The exhibitions range from product design to industrial, fashion, architectural, and graphic design.

After exploring this free London museum, you’ll be able to see classics like the London Tube Map brought to life and look at everyday objects in a whole new way. But please note that some temporary exhibitions may require a pre-booked ticket and a fee.

The Design Museum is located at 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG. Your free tickets are available online. For more information, check out their website.