London is home to numerous spaces that appreciate and cultivate culture. Especially with the 250 museums and galleries in the city! There are many to check out, you might even have a hard time budgeting your trip.
But guess what? There are A LOT of free museums and galleries in London, and they’re actually major destinations for millions of travellers! So here’s your guide to must-visit, budget-friendly museums:
1. The British Museum
Explore the oldest free museum in London | Photo by Dale Cruse on Flickr
Our first stop is the UK’s most famous and oldest museum, The British Museum in London! Open since 1759, it showcases artifacts of human history, art, and culture taken from all over the world.
You can find the Egyptian collection, which includes the Rosetta Stone (the very one archaeologists used to decipher hieroglyphics)! There are also the exquisite Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Greece, antiquities from the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia, and more!
Being a popular and free museum in London, expect large crowds when you visit. Actually, the lines can get so long that some people don’t get to enter. To secure your spot, you can get a British Museum priority entry with audio guide. It does mean spending but it guarantees your admission and a deeper dive into the displays.
2. The National Gallery
Closeup of “Sunflowers” by Vincent van Gogh | Photo by Sailko on Wikimedia Commons
Now let’s go to the iconic Trafalgar Square where we’ll find The National Gallery. It’s a famous and free art museum in London that’s more traditional, housing classical paintings. Kids may find this uninteresting but it’s great for art-lovers!
You’ll see legendary works such as Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh, The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, and Water-Lilies by Claude Monet.
Heads up: The National Gallery’s interior is narrow and it can get cramped. You’ll most likely see a similar crowd situation to the British Museum. But you can cut through the lines by availing a National Gallery priority entry with guided tour. We promise it’s worth it!
3. Victoria and Albert Museum
Admire the craftsmanship showcased in the V&A Museum | Photo by BRENAC on Wikimedia Commons
Our next stop is the Victoria and Albert Museum, not just London’s but the world’s largest museum when it comes to applied arts, decorative arts, and design. What does this mean?
Expect to see intricate jewelry, Medieval architectural details (think ornate columns and doorways), Renaissance sculptures, and more. It’s a free museum in London not as frequented by travellers compared to the British Museum, but you’ll be impressed by the displays. Plus, it has a smaller crowd!
To learn about the works here, you may opt to take this V&A Museum half-day private tour. An expert will guide you through the collection, and you get a workshop!
4. Tate Modern
“Marilyn Diptych” by Andy Warhol | Photo by Barbara Piancastelli on Flickr
To switch things up, let’s head to the Tate Modern! It’s one of the free galleries in London that has hip vibes with its industrial architecture accompanying the modern and contemporary art.
Admire their main collection that includes works from Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, and more!
Plus, there are limited-time exhibits, installations, and live performances. While these additional sections are not free to the public, paying a few more pounds will elevate your visit!
5. Natural History Museum
Wander through the magical halls of the Natural History Museum Photo by Diego Delso on Wikimedia Commons
Our next stop is the Natural History Museum, London’s hotspot for specimens of the natural world. It’s a wondrous experience from the moment you enter, as you’ll be greeted by the huge blue whale skeleton.
Some of the other popular displays are the animatronic Roaring T.rex and the Giant Sequoia. The Hintze Hall is especially fun because its audio guide is narrated by the one and only David Attenborough! This is a hit for science-lovers and kids.
Like many popular and free museums in London, you’ll have to wait in long lines and risk not being able to enter. But through the Natural History Museum reserved entry and audio tour, you can secure your admission!
6. National Portrait Gallery
It’s Instagram but make it art | Photo by R Boed on Wikimedia Commons
Our last stop is the National Portrait Gallery. It houses portraits of important British figures throughout history, be it paintings, photographs, or even caricatures!
What’s interesting about this gallery is that the works are usually chosen based on the subject, not the artist. The most famous piece is the Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare. But it’s not all history and facts.
The gallery has welcomed exhibits centered on iconic international personalities (like a Marilyn Monroe collection). They’ve also commissioned and featured new artists, so you’ll also enjoy fresh approaches alongside older works, making it one of the most interesting free galleries in London!
Tips before you enter free museums in London
The best things in life are free | Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Whether it’s to easily show your online tickets or to navigate your way, it’s always good to stay connected while travelling. We highly recommend purchasing a UK eSIM for a hassle-free trip, where you can get UNLIMITED data for up to 30 days!
And aside from the free museums in London, we’re sure you’ll want to see more of the city’s many attractions. Many of which have entrance fees! But you can stay within your budget by getting the Klook London Pass.
Save up to 60% off and choose from 36 destinations including Warner Bros. Studios, London Eye, and Moco Museum London!
Are you ready to enter the free museums and galleries in London?
FAQs for free museums and galleries in London
Which London museums are free?
Aside from the ones on our list, you can check out The Wallace Collection and the Tate Britain for more art. For other fields, visit the Royal Air Force Museum for aircraft and the Twinings Museum for the famous tea brand’s history!
What are 7 places to visit in London for free?
Most of London’s iconic places are actually free! Westminster Abbey, Harry Potter filming locations, and Kensington Gardens are a few places you can easily access.
What unique exhibits can I see for free in London?
The Serpentine Galleries is one of the more unique free galleries in London, displaying contemporary art in Kensington Gardens. The museums in our list also have seasonal free exhibits.
Is the Tate museum free?
Entrance to the Tate Modern is free! Though they have shows apart from their main collection that you do need to purchase a ticket for if you want to see.
Is the V&A in London free?
The Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the free museums in London. You’ll only have to pay if you want to do a guided tour with workshops.
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