Free Museums in London

Posted by Questo Team

London is one of the most visited cities in the world. The UK's capital boasts a rich history, diverse culture, beautiful attractions, clean environment, pleasant weather, fine dining, and many museums

The vibrant culture in London attracts people of different ethnicities and nationalities who speak different languages. That's why London is the most attractive city for tourists worldwide

In addition to hundreds of attractions and sightseeing areas, London is home to over 170 museums. The good news is that most of these museums are free, allowing you to explore historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific artifacts. 

Although visiting free museums in London provides visual and informative explorations, you can enjoy many other perks, such as connecting with people from different communities, inspiring beautiful artwork, and capturing memorable photos. Read on! 

#1 The British Museum

Opening times: Every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but Opening times vary on occasion depending on events taking place. Please check before your visit.

Price: FREE - but please book in advance 

Time Needed: 3-4 hours

The British Museum is one of London's best and free museums, allowing you to explore and learn about human history and culture. It is the oldest and biggest museum in London, making it the most visited cultural attraction

Once inside, you will explore hundreds of treasures acquired over centuries. The museum has separate sections for Ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern history and culture. Russel Square, Holborn, and Tottenham Court Road are the nearest tube stations to the British Museum. 

#2 The Museum of London

Opening times: Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price: FREE - but please book in advance 

Time Needed: 1-1.5 hours


The Museum of London is another best place to visit with your family or friends. It is one of the most unique and free museums in London, located five minutes from St Paul or Barbican tube station. The Museum allows you to discover the pre-historic and modern history of London. It has eight prominent galleries that showcase:

  • The Great Fire of London
  • The First and Second World Wars 
  • London in the 1950s 
  • 2012 London Olympics 

Besides, the Museum of London has many interactive stations, film screenings, models, and original objects that help you explore the city's history and gain valuable insights. If you don't want to spend money, we recommend visiting this free museum to have some quality time. 

#3 The Imperial War Museum

Opening times: Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Price: FREE - but please book in advance 

Time Needed: 1.5-2 hours

The Imperial War Museum is a beautiful attraction for people of all ages and walks of life, featuring state-of-the-art galleries and allowing visitors to uncover stories that led to the events of World War I and World War II

As the name indicates, this place is the world's leading war museum. The museum was established during World War I. Another of London's free museums, the Imperial War Museum, tells the story of people affected by World Wars

It has six floors, featuring various collections, including uniforms, vehicles, weapons, letters, artwork, photographs, etc. If you want to explore World Wars history visually, it is worth visiting the Imperial War Museum. 

#4 The Science Museum 

Opening times: Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Price: FREE - but please book in advance 

Time Needed: 3 hours


The Science Museum
is one of the oldest attractions in London. Founded in 1857, it is another of the city's free museums. It features more than 300,000 items, including steam locomotives of the 19
th century, the first jet engine, the Apollo 10 module, and many other objects. 

The Science Museum has nine galleries, including Medicine, Flight, Energy, and Space. You can quickly access the museum via the nearest tube stations in South Kensington. Besides, you can access hundreds of educational resources or take a guided tour to learn about various science subjects and hands-on exhibits

#5 The Queen's House

Opening times: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price: FREE - but please book in advance 

Time Needed: 1.5 hours


The Queen's House
is another of London's free museums that allow locals and tourists to view the most attractive art galleries. The Queen House Museum, located in Greenwich, features globally renowned artifacts, art pieces, hundreds of paintings, sculptures, etc. 

You will love the art collection at the Queen's House. The pleasant indoor atmosphere and fantastic architecture create tourists' "Wow" factor. Looking at art will give you the greatest empathy you strive to comprehend the context of artwork and emotions around these beautiful pieces. 

#6 The Natural History Museum

Opening times: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price: FREE - but please book in advance 

Time Needed: 3-4 hours


The Natural History Museum offers a wide range of exhibits, specimens, and fossils from different segments of human history. However, the 82-foot skeleton of the blue whale is something that attracts hundreds of people every day. 

Get off the tube at South Kensington and walk 3-5 minutes to reach the Natural History Museum. Keep in mind that this museum is home to more than 80 million items within five primary categories and collections, including zoology, botany, paleontology, entomology, and mineralogy. You will love spending time here learning about different species. 

#7 The Victoria & Albert Museum

Opening times: Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM

Price: FREE - but please book in advance 

Time Needed: 3-4 hours


Cromwell Road
, London, is home to 35% of the city's free museums, including the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. A 3-5 minutes' walk from the tube station in South Kensington will let you access the Victoria and Albert Museum, another of London's free museums where you can spend quality time with your family or friends. 

The Victoria and Albert Museum has the most extensive collection of artworks, sculptures, paintings, and pictures. Besides, it has more than 2.27 million objects. That's why we recommend taking a guided tour to get the most out of your trip to this world-famous museum in London. 

#8 The Tate Britain

Opening times: Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Price: FREE - but please book in advance for other exhibitions 

Time Needed: 2-3 hours


The Tate Britain
is one of the oldest museums in London. Opened in 1897, the Tate Britain showcases a vast collection of British art and culture from the Tudor times. Most people visit this place to learn the country's art history in a walk-through manner. 

The walk-through starts from Hogarth and goes through David Hockney and other pioneers in British history, including Gainsborough, Frederick Lord Leighton, to others. The Tate Britain also showcases the masterpieces of various renowned artists, including M.W. Turner. 

Final Words 

There are numerous reasons to visit London's free museums. These include learning about the past, getting answers for your curiosities about London, enjoying art and culture, exploring natural and scientific history, and learning about your ancestors. 

Questo is a reputable app with excellent gamification features, allowing users to discover the real-world city. It comes with numerous features that keep you engaged and entertained. Download Questo App for Android or IOS and engage yourself in endless entertainment. We recommend trying out our walking tours in London for a unique experience for locals and travelers.