London is home to an impressive collection of free museums for a budget-friendly day out. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, or just want a rainy day activity, these free-entry museums in London are a must see for visitors of all ages. I loved going to these museums as a child and it is a joy to introduce my own children to my favourite ones now. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.
Top Tip: Even though they are free, I would recommend checking out the museum’s website to see if you can get a ticket to receive priority entry. You can just turn up if you’re not sure of your itinerary but at peak times, especially school holidays, the queues are very long and you don’t want to waste precious holiday time!
So in no particular order or preference: my ultimate guide to the best free museums in London:
The British Museum
As one of the most iconic and famous free museums in London, the British Museum houses priceless artifacts from around the world. See the world-renowned Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. The controversial Parthenon Sculptures are also housed here. I have been here a few times as I love the architecture of the Great Court, not just the amazing artifacts on display. I have also taken classes of children on school trips so be prepared to manoeuvre around groups of children mid to late morning. It is a very popular museum so if you want to bypass any queue, I would recommend booking a free ticket so you can just walk in.
Find out more: The British Museum
Natural History Museum
One of my favourites, you will marvel at the awe-inspiring dinosaurs and blue whale skeleton. This free London museum offers an unforgettable experience if you are curious about natural history and the Earth’s incredible biodiversity. This is a perfect rainy day activity with your children. I have many happy memories as a child visiting here, especially walking amongst the dinosaurs and the very realistic T-Rex! It has been a real pleasure introducing my own children to this museum including the iconic blue whale and even the earthquake simulator. Before your visit, I would spend time on the website using the ‘Explore the Museum’ tab as there are some brilliant suggestions for a self-guided tour.
Find out more: Natural History Museum
Science Museum London
Discover the fascinating world of science and technology. From space exploration to the future of robotics, this free museum offers interactive exhibits that will engage both you and your kids alike. My children especially loved the interactive gallery: Wonderlab. This is a paid activity but well worth it. You can purchase a day or annual pass which allows you to see live science shows and participate in your own science experiments. If you have younger children aged 3-6 then there is a free interactive gallery on the lower ground floor. We were also all interested in the Apollo 10 Command Module and Space Gallery, so make sure you download the map from the website to make sure you don’t miss anything! As this museum is located right next door to the Natural History Museum, it is very easy to see both in one day. You could spend the whole day visiting both of these museums; perfect for a rainy day in London.
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
The Victoria and Albert Museum is London’s largest museum dedicated to art, design, and culture. It has stunning collections ranging from Renaissance art to contemporary fashion. My Mother comes here however, just to visit the café as it is absolutely beautiful. You will definitely need to visit the café to recover from the seven miles of galleries! To help plan your visit and know where to start, the V&A have put together some trails to follow. Make sure you don’t miss the gift shop before you leave. It has the most wonderful array of gifts for both yourself and others.
Find out more: Victoria and Albert Museum
Imperial War Museum (IWM)
If you or your children are fascinated by planes or tanks, then this is the museum for you. It takes you through all the important historical moments, from WWI to modern-day conflicts, using poignant exhibits and military artifacts. The entrance alone impresses with the beautiful gardens and two enormous guns. The open atrium as you walk in with the planes in the air is incredibly impressive, a must for anyone to see. Depending on your children’s age (recommendation 14+), the Holocaust exhibition deals sensitively and emotionally with individual stories told through photos, artwork and personal effects. A powerful exhibition you should not miss. I have taken my children into the exhibition but did not let them see the graphic video that plays.
Find out more: Imperial War Museum
Design Museum
This fabulous museum is the world’s leading contemporary architecture and design museum. Founded by Sir Terence Conran in 1989, the new building is breath-taking, designed by British architect, John Pawson . There are exhibitions about the history of mass production to the digital and making of recent times. Most exhibits are free but there are a couple that need a paid ticket. My advice is if you want to see a certain exhibit then book beforehand. They can get extremely busy so don’t be disappointed.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
This former home of architect Sir John Soane has been turned into a free museum, filled with a rich collection of antiquities, art, and architectural models. Sir John Soane was the architect who designed the original Bank Of England. The house has been kept as it was when he died in 1837 including the recently restored Drawing office. This oldest surviving example of its kind can be viewed on Thursdays and Saturdays at 14.30 on a first-come first-served basis. The Picture Room contains a collection of masterpieces by artists such as Hogarth, Canaletto, Turner and Piranesi. There is a self-guided tour available on the Bloomberg Connects app.
Find out more: Sir John Soane Museum
Bank of England Museum
Here, you will learn about the history of British currency and economics at the Bank of England Museum. From early banknotes to modern financial systems, this museum offers a unique insight into the workings of the British economy. You will find our why we started to use paper money and even get to pick up a gold bar! Set in the original Stock Office, showing what the inside of the Bank of England was like 200 years ago. There are audio guides available which you can download before you go or you can launch the tour from the QR codes inside the museum.
Find out more: Bank of England Museum
The British Library
Not technically a museum, but worthy of inclusion in this list. The British Library is home to over 170 million items, including rare books and historical documents such as the world’s largest collection of Anglo Saxon documents and 14km of archives of the East India Company. Anyone can visit and you don’t need to book a ticket or have a library card. However, to use the Reading rooms for research, working or using the WiFi you’ll need to bring I.D. to get a Reader Pass which is free. You’re able to access the online catalogue beforehand but will need to be on site to order. Best to contact them before your visit if you have any specific questions.
Find out more: British Library
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Situated in South London, this free museum is easy to get to by train from central London. This is my closest museum, which I can drive to and was my go-to destination when my children were younger. They loved the tiny aquarium (small charge) and amazing natural history gallery (unfortunately this is closed until 2026 for refurbishment) but there are so many other galleries to see displaying information about cultures from around the world and 16.5km of gardens to explore including a new Butterfly House in the indoor tropical Garden. It is a fantastic place for a picnic (there is even a play park over the road) that you can spend the whole day here.
Find out more: Horniman Museum
London Museum Docklands
This free London museum is an unexpected gem. I’ve been here a couple of times and absolutely loved it. Located in Canary Wharf, the exhibitions tell the story of London’s maritime history, trade, and commerce. It is situated in an old warehouse with original walls and floors. You can truly imagine what it must have been like to offload cargo from the ships in the water directly outside. You start at the top of the warehouse and work your way down, exploring 400 years of Docklands history including the Slave Trade Exhibition. If you are interested in any of the events or temporary exhibitions then booking ahead is best. It is easy to spend the whole afternoon in the area, having a meal at the riverside restaurants and walking around, admiring the docks.
Find out more: London Museum Docklands
Young V&A (Formerly Museum of Childhood)
Dedicated to children and childhood, the Young V&A offers a range of interactive exhibits designed to inspire creativity in young minds. It is designed with families in mind as there are three big galleries called Imagine, Play and Design all designed for and aimed at families with children. This is a brilliant place to visit if you are looking for a rainy day activity.
Find out more: Young V&A Museum
Museum of the Home (Formerly Geffrye Museum)
Another museum outside of central London but definitely worth the detour especially at Christmas. When you enter, you literally step back in time. Each gallery reveals a room styled to reflect a different period in English interior design starting from 400 years ago, working towards to the present day. At Christmas time, each room is decorated in the style of the time and is an absolute delight! My children loved seeing how each room was decorated and comparing them to our own Christmas decorations. The museum is housed in almshouses built in 1714 to provide homes for pensioners of the Iron mongers’ Company funded by Robert Geffrye, an English merchant, hence the original name.
Find out more: Museum of the Home
National Maritime Museum
Located in the historic Greenwich area, the National Maritime Museum is a treasure trove of maritime history. From the Royal Navy to Britain’s seafaring past, this free London museum brings the ocean’s legacy to life, especially the central atrium floor map (note that the map is currently being refurbished). There are many interactive displays for children. You can see Nelson’s Trafalgar Uniform and ship models that naval enthusiasts will love even a real Fijian canoe! I love spending the afternoon in Greenwich walking along the Thames and then popping in here to see the historical boats and seeing how life used to be.
