London is home to one of the proudest and most extensive museum collections in the world. Across the city are more than 200 museums covering all aspects of history, science, art and culture.
This huge collection of museums has been built over many centuries.
A timeline of museums in London
c. 530 BCE
Ennigaldi-Nanna’s Museum (Ur, Mesopotamia)
Often considered the world’s first curated museum, with artefacts and clay labels.
#1660s
Royal Armouries at the Tower of London
Opens its collection of arms and armour to the public, often called Britain’s first museum.
#1759
British Museum opens (Bloomsbury)
Founded by the 1753 Act — one of the first national museums intended for public access, though early visits required an application.
#1824
National Gallery founded
Opens with 38 paintings (from John Julius Angerstein’s collection). Examples include The Raising of Lazarus by Sebastiano del Piombo and Portrait of Pope Julius II by Raphael.
#1851
The Great Exhibition (Hyde Park)
Showcases design and industry on a global scale. Its success acts as a catalyst for new cultural institutions in South Kensington — later including the V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum.
#20th century
Local & specialist museums flourish
Many more museums appear, including local museums like the Horniman Museum (1901) and the Geffrye Museum / Museum of the Home (1914), as well as specialist institutions such as the Imperial War Museum (founded 1917).
#2000
Tate Modern opens
Bankside Power Station is reborn as one of London’s most popular cultural destinations.
#2001
Free admission policy
Free admission to national museums is introduced, making some of London’s greatest collections accessible to all.
#2007–2020
New wave & redevelopments
A wave of new institutions and moves reshapes London’s museum landscape — including the Wellcome Collection (2007) and the Design Museum relocating to a larger home in Kensington (2016).
#2020–2021
Covid-19 pandemic
Museums close during lockdown; many — especially smaller ones — continue to feel the financial impact.
#2025 and beyond
What’s next
Major redevelopments keep London’s museum scene thriving: the V&A East Storehouse (opening May 2025), the Museum of London at Smithfield (set for 2026), and exciting new destinations like the Migration Museum.
#Keep exploring London’s museum guide
Head to London’s Museum Guide to explore all of London’s 240+ museums split by theme, location and price.
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