13 must-see museums in London

Looking for which museums to visit during your stay in London? Discover the 13 must-see museums to visit in London!

London is the city of the world's most famous royal family, pubs, shopping and of course party. One of the least-known aspects of the capital of England is that it hosts an impressive number of museums. In total, no less than 240 museums are in London! If you come to stay in the English capital, you will not be bored. Moreover, if you want to enjoy it at a lower cost, don’t hesitate to use the London Pass which offers you preferential rates and many benefits.

Since it is unlikely that you will have time to visit all museums in the city, we have selected the 13 must-see museums to visit in London. Follow the guide!

1. British Museum

We can't talk about London museums without mentioning the very famous British Museum. The most popular museum in London welcomes visitors daily between 10h and 17h30 , with a late closure on Friday, as it closes to 8:30 .

This museum retraces the history of Man since his creation, until now through the prehistoric period. The British Museum is not only interested in history in Europe, but in the world.

Through the various museum collections, you will travel to Africa, America, Asia and the Pacific. You will discover internationally renowned works such as the statue of Easter Island, the sculptures of the Parthenon or old Egyptian mummies.

In total, the British Museum has more than six million works . As well as many London museums, the entrance to the British Museum is free except for temporary exhibitions.

2. Natural History Museum

The Museum of Natural History is dedicated, not to men, but to men all living species of the world all the time. Upon arrival in the entrance hall, you will be impressed by the oldest of the animals: a diplodocus . The exhibition on the dinosaurs will delight the smallest as the greatest.

You can then admire the largest of the animals still alive, a blue whale and this in nature. If you are not too afraid of the arachnides, go in search of the spider 40 million years present in the Museum of Natural History.

This must-see museum in London is as interactive for the whole family to have fun. You can even access the laboratory where dozens of scientists are working on new revolutionary discoveries.

Open 10h to 17h50 , we highly recommend you come from the opening . Every day, classes of small Londoners storm the natural history museum.

3. Science Museum

Located in the Kensington district, the Science Museum is one of the most important museums to visit in London. This museum brings you back time to scientific and technical discoveries. All the inventions that have made our world what it is today are present in the Science Museum. More than three centuries of scientific advances are available to you. All the questions our ancestors were asking for answers through scientific progress. The journey into space, the existential questions around “who am I?”, impossible mathematical equations. The answers are all at the London Science Museum.

Among the attractions not to be missed, you will find telescope of the Galilee astronomer , steam locomotive the oldest, and a magnificent Rolls Royce .

The London Science Museum is free , except 3D cinema Imax and temporary exhibitions.

4. Museum of London

Come and discover London even before she becomes London at the Museum of London. Located north of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Museum retraces the history of the British capital before it was built up to today. If you want to learn more about the history of the city, it is one of the most important museums to visit in London.

Flip into time and discover the prehistoric period of the city to admire what it has become. Period medieval , peste , Civil war and fire London has evolved enormously over the centuries.

Among the most majestic pieces, the calèche du Lord Mayer dating from 1757. More than just a carriage, this one is made of gold and is beautifully carved.

The London Museum is open daily between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. . Attention, however, the last admissions are to 5.30 p.m. .

5. Tate Modern

On the banks of the Thames, the Tate Modern was once a power plant. Today, it has been transformed into a cathedral completely dedicated to modern art . It is the largest and most impressive museum of modern art in the world, making it one of the most attractive museums in London.

The museum covers six floors and presents collections in various forms, such as paintings, sculptures, photographs and films. Several temporary exhibitions are regularly presented at Tate Modern.

This is the opportunity to discover new artists known or less known. Among the contemporary artists who are exposed to Tate Modern, you can find Mark Rothko , Frida Kahlo or Kandinsky .

After your visit to the Tate Modern, don’t hesitate to have lunch or dinner on the museum’s restaurant terrace. In addition to tasting delicious dishes, you can enjoy a exceptional view of the Thames .

6. National Gallery

Located on the most famous London square, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery offers works from 1250 until the 1900s. Opened in 1824, the museum had only a collection of 36 paintings at the time.

Today, with an international reputation, the National Gallery has no less 2 300 tables . This is one of the most important collections in Western Europe. You will find works by English painters, but also French as Paul Cézanne, but also Italian as Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci, or Dutch with paintings by Vincent Van Gogh or Rembrandt.

The museum is completely free except for a few temporary exhibitions.

7. Victoria and Albert Museum

Founded in 1852 by Prince Albert, this museum offers a collection combining art and design. You can admire many objects from all over the world with a 3000-year-old history. All types of objects are present in the V♣ Museum; paintings, sculptures, furniture, textiles, and many other things.

Among the works not to be missed are the replica of the Trajane column dating from the Roman period, a Ardabil carpet from Iran aged 500 or oil paintings by John Constable.

Unmissable museums to visit in London, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens its doors all year round (with the exception of 24, 25 and 26 December) between 10h and 17h45 .

8. Imperial War Museum

Dive into the darkest hours of the twentieth century during your visit to the Imperial War Museum. This museum opened in the time of the First World War retraces the history of soldiers and all those who lived in the war.

Each conflict since the First World War was transposed into the Imperial War Museum through objects (e.g. uniforms, weapons, military vehicles, etc.) and photographs of times. One of the most shocking exhibitions in the museum is obviously the one on the Holocaust .

The museum is open daily between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. with one free entry .

9. Transport Museum

The Museum of Transport, which retraces the history of London through transport. Are represented no less 80 vehicles dating from the 1800s to the present day. Discover first steam train the world or the famous Imperial red bus .

Thanks to this museum, you will understand the evolution of the city through the role of motorization. And above all, its weight on the evolution of cultures and societies.

Several interactive exhibitions allow you to observe the vehicles=, but also to touch them. The museum is ideal for the whole family, smallest and tallest.

The ticket price varies between £16.50 and £18 depending on the season. In addition, for minors , the museum entrance is free .

10. Madame Tussaud

The museum Madame Tussauds was created by Marie Tussauds in 1835. This designer of wax statues had the idea of creating a place to showcase iconic characters from the UK. Subsequently, world leaders added.

By visiting the museum, you can take pictures with the Royal Family, Lewis Hamilton, Boris Johnson and Daniel Craig. Temporary exhibitions are sometimes available, such as that on Marvel heroes.

The entrance ticket costs 25€ online, and 35€ on site. As for the line ticket, it costs between 39€ online, and 45€ on site.

11. The Saatchi Gallery

Created by collector Charles Saatchi, the gallery offers one of the most important contemporary art collections in the United Kingdom. The vast majority of the works exhibited come from the "The Young British Artists" group of which Saatchi is the patron.

In addition, all artistic materials are represented, from the painting to the work broadcast by the overhead projector.

Positive point, the entry is completely free .

12. HMS Belfast

The HMS Belfast allows you to enter the heart of the Second World War. It is also the only boat of the Royal Navy has been preserved. In addition, the measurements of this light cruiser are simply colossal, since it measures 187m long, for a weight of 11,500 tons.

Today, you can visit the HMS Belfast, its nine bridges including the boiler room, as well as the anti-aircraft cannons. The boat is now moored on the Thames. The price of the entrance is from £17.10 for an adult, and £8,55 for children between the ages of 5 and 15. However, for those under 5 years of age, the visit is free .

13. Tower of London

The Tower of London are fortifications built in the city of London. Their founder is none other than William the Conqueror. Moreover, the location of the castle-fort is not anondin, since the monarch wanted to see London and all the river traffic. Later, the place will experience several transformations.

Today, several places of the place are to be discovered. Especially the jewels of the British crown, preserved inside. The chapel of St Jean is also one of the highlights of the visit. Just like the walk on the ramparts. As a result, the Tower of London is one of the most important museums in London, so the journey through the centuries is spectacular.

The ticket to the Tower of London is from £27.50 for adults, £21.50 for students and seniors, £13.10 for children between the ages of 5 and 15. Finally, the visit is also free for under five years.

You now know what the 13 London museums are not to miss. You have all the keys to discover London and British history and culture. Maybe you've already gone to London? In this case, we invite you to tell us your comments!