5 Free museums you should visit in London

If you plan a day out with family and kids in London, you shouldn't miss these five free museums. They are welcoming, kid-friendly and full of history. 

1. British Museum (Free but still to be booked)

The British Museum is the first national public museum in the world, and it has more than eight million permanent collections of work. The British Museum is one of the world's largest and most famous museums in London, United Kingdom. The museum houses a vast and diverse collection of art, artefacts, and objects spanning human history, from ancient civilisations to the modern era. The British Museum has an extensive range of exhibits, including:

• Ancient Egyptian artefacts: Including the famous Rosetta Stone and mummies.
• Greek and Roman antiquities: Notably the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon.
• Asian art: Such as Chinese ceramics and Japanese samurai armor.
• African and Oceanic art: Featuring sculptures, textiles, and other items.
• Middle Eastern artefacts: Including pieces from Mesopotamia and Persia.
• European art: Medieval, Renaissance, and later European works.

Entry to the British Museum is free but you still need to book online to gain access. It is welcoming for kids and families.

Address: Great Russel Street, London, WC1B 3DG

Entry: Free

Website: www.britishmuseum.org  

          2. Victoria and Albert Museum 

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design. It is renowned for its extensive collection of decorative arts and design, with more than 2.3 million objects. Some of the highlights include:

• Fashion: A vast collection of historical and contemporary clothing, including designs by famous designers like Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen.
• Textiles: The museum has an impressive collection of textiles, from ancient fabrics to modern designs.
• Sculpture: The V&A holds many sculptures, including works from Renaissance Italy, Ancient Greece, and India.
• Ceramics: Its collection includes pieces from around the world, ranging from Chinese porcelain to European pottery.
• Glass: The V&A has one of the largest collections of glass, spanning from Roman glass to contemporary pieces.
• Jewelry: Including both historical and modern jewellery, the collection is extensive and includes items from various cultures and time periods.
• Architecture: The museum houses models and drawings related to historical and contemporary architecture, including works from the Renaissance to modern urban planning.

The museum in London is located in three (03) areas:

The V&A South Kensington

Young V&A Bethnal Green

The V&A East (Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford)

Admission to the Victoria and Albert Museum is free but some exhibitions and events are not. It is family and kid-friendly.

Address:  V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL

Admission: Free

Website: www.vam.ac.uk/south-kensington/visit

Young V&A

Address: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA

Admission: Free

Website: www.vam.ac.uk/young/visit

       3. The National History Museum

The Natural History Museum in London is one of the most famous museums globally for the study of zoology and natural history.

It houses millions of specimens related to zoology, including fossils, taxidermy animals, and evolutionary exhibits. Some of its most notable displays include Dippy the Diplodocus and a wide array of dinosaurs, mammals, birds, and other animal life forms.

Visiting the Natural History Museum is free. You have to book a ticket before your visit for the best experience, especially during our busy times.

Address: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD

Website: www.nhm.ac.uk

  4. Imperial War Museum London

The Imperial War Museum (IWM) in London, UK, is one of the most important museums dedicated to the history of warfare, particularly focusing on the impact of war on society, culture, and individuals.

The IWM London houses an extensive collection of objects, documents, photographs, and audiovisual materials related to the world’s major conflicts, particularly from the First World War onwards. Key aspects of the collection include:

Military artefacts: Including weapons, uniforms, tanks, airplanes, and naval equipment from both world wars and other conflicts.

Personal stories and testimonies: The museum showcases the human side of war through personal stories, letters, diaries, and films. It also features oral history collections, with accounts from veterans, civilians, and survivors of various wars.

War art: The IWM holds a significant collection of war-related art, including works created by official war artists and artists who documented their experiences during conflicts.

Photographs and films: Thousands of photographs and films illustrate key events, battles, and moments of wartime life.

Address: Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ

Admission; Entry is free and you don’t need to book.

Website: www.iwm.org.uk

       5. National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum (NMM) is located in Greenwich, London, and is one of the world's leading maritime museums. It focuses on Britain’s rich history as a maritime nation, exploring the nation’s relationship with the sea, its naval history, and its global impact through exploration, trade, and warfare.

The National Maritime Museum has an extensive collection related to the history of British and global maritime history. Some of the key aspects of its collection include:

• Ship Models and Artifacts: The museum holds a large collection of ship models, instruments, maps, and navigation tools that were used by sailors and explorers throughout history.
• Paintings and Art: A significant collection of maritime art, including paintings depicting naval battles, seascapes, and famous ships like HMS Victory.
• Naval Uniforms and Weapons: The museum showcases uniforms, weapons, and naval equipment used by sailors, officers, and other personnel throughout history.
• Maps and Charts: The museum has one of the largest collections of historical maps and sea charts, reflecting the age of exploration and navigation.
• Astronomical Instruments: Items such as marine chronometers and telescopes, essential for navigation during the age of exploration, are also part of the collection.

Address: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF

Admission: Free

Website: www.rmg.co.uk