5 Best London Museums to Visit Near the Tube

While London is known for its history, culture, and architecture, it also boasts must-see art in different forms, such as paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and more. There are hundreds of London museums for both locals and travelers to explore, but some notable ones located near the Tube include the National Gallery, the London Transport Museum, the British Museum, Madame Tussauds London, and the Museum of Brands.

If you’re the type of traveler who loves seeing local, traditional, and contemporary art, then this list of London museums is perfect for your itinerary planning!

Dive into the history of London’s transportation system at the London Transport Museum, as well as stories from the people who used the transport system most in the last 200 years: travelers and workers. This London museum is home to several galleries and exhibitions, including “Then and Now: London’s Transport in Photographs,” “Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workforce,” “19th Century London and Victorian Transport,” “World’s First Underground,” and “The Formation of London Transport.” 

There are so many more exhibitions available for everyone to explore, with each one highlighting and introducing the capital’s public transport, its significance to British history, ancient transport systems like riverboats, and even the creation of the world’s first underground railway.

Dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, art, and culture of not just London but the entire world, the British Museum holds the largest art collection in the world, with millions of pieces on display for everyone to see.

They have over 60 galleries, with not only the usual ones like paintings and drawings, but also virtual tours that include Google Street Views. Some museum highlights are the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery, the Sainsbury Africa Gallery, the Sutton Hoo and Europe Gallery, and the Roman Empire Gallery.

This London museum also has special exhibitions that visitors can see only for a limited time, such as “Hiroshige,” which will run until September 7, 2025, and the “Ancient India” exhibit, which will be open until October 19, 2025.

Some must-see artworks here include the Rosetta Stone and the Lion of Knidos.

This next London museum features mostly modern and contemporary art from icons like Andy Warhol, Daniel Arsham, Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Keith Haring, and more. At Moco Museum London, marvel at artworks by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Keith Haring in the Modern Masters collection, as well as pieces by Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, and Damien Hirst in the Contemporary Masters collection.

They also have digital and immersive art installations that invite you into a multi-sensory environment and new ways to connect with art. Expect to see works from contemporary artists like Anthony James from Los Angeles, Six N. Five from Barcelona, Pulse Interactive from Amsterdam, and Daniel Arsham from New York City.

Enjoy free entry to one of the most famous London museums, the National Gallery! Home to thousands of paintings, this museum is definitely a must-visit if you want to see the works of famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Sandro Botticelli.

Make sure to drop by the most famous art pieces at the National Gallery London, like “A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal” by Johannes Vermeer, “An Allegory with Venus and Cupid” by Bronzino, “Bacchus and Ariadne” by Titian, “Samson and Delilah” by Peter Paul Rubens, and “Madame Moitessier” by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.

After exploring their extensive collections and galleries, you can grab a bite at any of the restaurants, bars, and cafes they have: Ochre Brasserie (British and European cuisine), Locatelli (Italian cuisine), and Muriel's Kitchen (Italian cuisine).

If you’re looking to journey through unique London museums, then the Museum of Brands is the one for you! Get ready to learn more about the evolution of marketing and branding in London, as well as 200 years of British consumer culture. Inside the museum are thousands of different items with vintage packaging and even vintage toys.

Venture into many exhibitions and displays, such as “Thunderbirds and Space: 1999,” consisting of Sci-Fi toys and many other collectibles; “A Stitch Through Time,” which features embroidered everyday items by Emma Giacalone; “Glass Renewed,” with glass artworks by Hannah Gibson; and “Summer Lollidays,” which features retro packaging, posters, and more of iconic ice lollies like Woppa, Strawberry Split, Mini Milks, and Sky Ray.

But hey, the very highlight of this London museum is the Time Tunnel, their permanent collection that will take you on a journey through the evolution of British consumer society, dating as far back as Victorian times.

You’re now more than ready to explore some of the best London museums conveniently located near the Tube. Make sure to book your tickets on Klook in advance for a fuss-free experience!

The British Museum is widely considered to be the top museum in London.

Apart from what was earlier mentioned, other entrance-free London museums include the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Design Museum.

Most London museums are closed from December 24 to 26.