10 Best Museums in London
London’s rich and impressive history is one of the biggest attractions for tourists all year round. From national archeological sites to state-of-the-art galleries, London offers a plethora of activities for lovers of arts & culture. Whether you are interested in archeology, architecture, design, art, or social history, you can find multiple activities suitable for your interests in London. If you are currently contemplating a visit to London or preparing your itinerary, these 10 museums and archeological sites must be on your list.
The British Museum
Founded in 1973, the British Museum is one of the largest museums in the world with a vast collection spanning over 2 million years of human history. The biggest highlights of the museum are the sprawling galleries dedicated to the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. The museum also houses 120 mummies along with other impressive archaeological collections that invite millions of visitors every year. Antiquities from various cultures are preserved at the museum including Middle Eastern, Asian Art, African, American and Oceanic Art, and European and British History.
Tate Modern Museum
One of London’s must-visit attractions, Tate Modern is one of the most prominent contemporary art museums in the world. The iconic museum is located on the south bank of River Thames which was once the Bankside Power Station. The art museum houses the national collection of British Art from the 1900s to the present day, and works of various international artists. The Turbine is one of the defining features of the museum that serves as a large space for large scale installations and performances. Some of the permanent art collections on display in the museum include Pablo Picasso’s “Weeping Women”, Salvador Dalí's "Metamorphosis of Narcissus," and Mark Rothko's "Seagram Murals."
The National Gallery
Located in Trafalgar Square London, the National Gallery is a prestigious art museum founded in 1824. It is one of the oldest public art museums in the UK that currently houses more than 2,300 paintings and antiquities from the 13th to 19th centuries. Some of the most popular and most iconic works showcased in the National Gallery include Leonardo da Vinci's "The Virgin of the Rocks," Johannes Vermeer's "The Lacemaker," Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers," J.M.W. Turner's "The Fighting Temeraire," and Sandro Botticelli's "Venus and Mars."
Science Museum
One of London’s most popular and fascinating attractions is the Science Museum which attracts tourists of all ages. The iconic cultural institution showcases the history and developments in the fields of science, climate, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The extensive collection of the museum includes over 250,000 innovations, ranging from scientific instruments to technological inventions to artifacts and interactive exhibitions. Among the exhibitive highlights are the Apollo 10 command module, Stephenson's Rocket (one of the world's first steam locomotives), and Charles Babbage's Difference Engine. Whether you’re a science enthusiast, a curious soul, or a family looking for an educational journey, the museum has something to offer for everyone.
Victoria & Albert Museum
The eighth-biggest art museum in the world, Victoria & Albert Museum in London offers over 100 galleries showcasing everything from photography to jewelry. The museum houses more than 2.27 million objects that span over 5000 years of human creativity. Visitors can witness a diverse range of collections in photography, sculpture, architecture, fashion, textiles, etc. The main entrance of the museum is on Cromwell Road and it is located very close to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum.
The Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection is a popular museum in London, located in Hertford House, a historic townhouse in Marylebone. The Wallace Collection museum houses the private collection of Sir Richard Wallace, an English art collector and philanthropist. Visitors can reach the museum easily by car or public transport and visit other nearby attractions such as Sherlock Holmes Museum and the Regents Park. The Wallace Collection Museum offers an exquisite collection of paintings, sculptures, artifacts, furniture, porcelain and more. Some of the must-see collections include Canaletto and Rembrandt, and fashion, textiles, furniture exhibitions.
The Design Museum
A vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, the Design Museum was founded by Sir Terence Conran in 1989. The contemporary museum showcases the latest innovations in the world of design in various genres including product design, digital design, architecture, and industrial design. The prestigious design museum hosts numerous temporary exhibitions to showcase the creativity of experienced and amateur artists. The museum also runs a program called ‘Designers in Residence’ to highlight young talent and their creativity.
Churchill War Rooms
A historic museum in London which is also one of the five branches of Imperial War Museums and houses artifacts from Churchill’s era. The museum displays the life and legacy of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the cabinet war rooms that were used during the Second World War. Visitors are in for a unique and intriguing experience as they explore the preserved artifacts in the underground complex of the museum where Churchill and his government took major political decisions. Churchill Museum is located right next to Churchill War Rooms where visitors can take an up close look into Churchill’s legacy.
National History Museum
A popular museum and leading scientific research center, National History Museum is bound to leave visitors in awe and astonishment. The Natural History Museum was founded in 1881, although its origins date back to the British Museum's Department of Natural History, which was founded in 1753. The iconic building of the museum is located in South Kensington and designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse. The museum houses over 80 million specimens spanning a wide range of natural sciences genres, including botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology. Some of the highlights include dinosaur skeletons, rare minerals, meteorites, fossils, preserved specimens, and ethnographic objects. The most popular specimen remains "Dippy" the Diplodocus, the skeleton of a blue whale, and the Darwin Centre's cocoon containing millions of insect specimens.
The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
The Queen's Gallery is located on the popular Buckingham Palace Road, adjacent to Buckingham Palace. Its central location in the heart of London makes it easily accessible to tourists from anywhere in London. The gallery is part of the Buckingham Palace complex and is connected to the palace by a covered walkway. The gallery displays a wide range of artworks and treasures from the Royal Collection, which spans over 500 years of British history. Artworks on display include paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, and decorative arts. The gallery houses works of the most renowned artists in history, including Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Canaletto, and Rubens.