Best Central London Museums – 80+ Top Picks and Hidden Gems
Central London is home to a dizzying array of museums, including some of the best collections on the planet.
On this page you’ll find an interactive tool, where you can explore all the museums in London by theme and find the perfect museum for you. Before that, you’ll find my top 5 picks and my top 5 hidden gem museums in Central London.
Central London is just the start of London’s amazing museum offering. Make sure to check out my full London museum guide, or read my guides to museums in North, South, East and West London.
Best museums in Central London – my top picks
If you’re only in London a short time, these are my top 5 pick must see museums in central London:
The British Museum: One of the world’s greatest museums, with over eight million objects covering every continent and era of human history. It’s vast, fascinating, and free to visit.
The National Gallery – Home to some of the greatest paintings ever made, including works by Van Gogh, Turner, Monet and Rembrandt. Free entry.
Churchill War Rooms – The underground bunker where Churchill and his government directed operations during the Second World War. Many spaces are left just as they were when the war finished. One of London’s most memorable historic sites.
London Transport Museum – A huge museum exploring the history of transport in London and celebrating its modern transport network. A great, interactive museum for kids and adults alike.
National Portrait Gallery – It sounds a bit dull, but it’s far from it. Arranged chronologically, you literally walk forwards in time, each floor a fascinating ‘who’s who’ of British history. Plus, it’s home to that portrait of Henry VIII.
Top 5 hidden gem museums in Central London
Sir John Soane’s Museum – The extraordinary home of the neo-classical architect, preserved exactly as he left it in 1837. A maze of architectural models, artworks and curiosities
The Courtauld Gallery – One of London’s most underrated art galleries, home to an extraordinary collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, including Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear.
Handel & Hendrix Museum – a museum in a historic house in Soho, where two iconic musicians – Jimi Hendrix and the composer Handel – both lived, though many years apart. You can explore the music of both, and how they both lived.
Photographer’s Gallery – A gallery in Soho dedicated to photography. There’s no permanent collection, but usually four or five temporary exhibitions going on – usually excellent.
Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum – The very lab where Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, restored to how it was when he worked there.
These are just my top picks – but there are so many to choose from. Explore all museums in Central London using the interactive tool below.
Interactive tool: explore all museums in Central London
How to use this guide: The cards below show an A-Z directory of all museums in Central London. Use the filters to the right to show only museums you’re interested in.
‘Primary focus’ splits museums by their broad area of focus. You can click ‘additional themes’ to see more specific categories, such as museums covering World War Two, or modern art galleries.
The laboratory where Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin – a discovery which revolutionised medicine and earned him a Nobel Prize. It’s restored to how it was when he worked here, and tells the story of Fleming and the discovery and development of Penicillin. Within St Mary’s Hospital.
A small museum in one of the oldest churches in London, housed in an atmospheric crypt. It included part of a Roman floor, Roman and Saxon artefacts, and charts the City of London’s history from Roman Londinium through the Great Fire.
Once home to the Duke of Wellington, famous for his victories over Napoleon. A stunning stately home, which is also home to an extraordinary collection of art, including work by Goya and Velázquez.
A museum within the Bank of England’s headquarters, which charts over 300 years of monetary history from banknote design to financial crises. Visitors can handle a real gold bar.
The only surviving building of Whitehall Palace, designed by iconic architect Inigo Jones. Famous for its epic painted ceiling and as the site of Charles I’s execution in 1649. TEMPORARILY CLOSED UNTIL LATE 2025 – CHECK WEBSITE
The world’s only remaining home of Benjamin Franklin, telling the story of his life in London, his scientific work, and his diplomacy leading up to the American Revolution. It offers a variety of experiences depending on the day you visit. On Wednesday-Thursday you can visit on a self guided tour, exploring the rooms and exhibition…
An award-winning museum in a former Police Station and Magistrates’ Court, once home to London’s first official law enforcement service, the Bow Street Patrols and Runners. Its original cells and corridors now house galleries that chart the evolution of policing, the lives of those who served here, and the stories of famous cases, prisoners, and…
This lesser-known collection showcasing the British Red Cross’ 150 years of history, featuring historical objects like medical kits from WWI trenches and documents from relief operations illustrating the evolution of emergency aid since 1870s.
The royal family’s official London residence – millions of tourists peer through its gates every year, watch the famous Changing of the Guard, and wonder what’s behind its huge, majestic facade. Its opulent, magnificent state rooms open to the public every Summer, and are open to some small group tours year round. Highlights include the…
The secret underground headquarters where Winston Churchill and his ministers planned Britain’s strategy in the Second World War. Now open to visitors, with many rooms – including the iconic ‘Map Room’, where many of the key decisions in the war were made – left as they were on the day the war ended. Other highlights…
One of my favourite art galleries in London, home to London’s best collection of impressionism. Includes many of the big hitters, like Van Gogh, Monet, Manet and Degas, plus the biggest collection of Cézzanes in the country. Also hosts temporary exhibitions, often focused on more contemporary art.
The former home of Dr Samuel Johnson, where he compiled his famous and influential Dictionary of the English Language. As well as exhibitions about his life and work, you can explore the period rooms and gain a sense of 18th-century literary life in London.
An interactive and immersive art experience, which aims to bring some of the world’s greatest masterpieces (works by those such as Van Gogh, Kandinsky, etc) to life through multi-sensory installations using cutting edge technology. Features 42 masterpieces across four galleries.
An art gallery home to the City of London’s art collection, especially notable for its Victorian pieces – though the collection ranges from the 17th century to the modern day. Downstairs are the excavated remains of part of London’s Roman Ampitheatre, lost for centuries and discovered when the gallery was built in the 1980s.
A unique museum, showcasing the lives of two of the most iconic museums to live in London: Jimi Hendrix and classical composer George Frideric Handel. In a restored Georgian townhouse, it showcases the homes of both (if they’d been contemporaries, they’d have been neighbours!). Handel lived here from 1723 until his death in 1759; Hendrix…
A living museum at the heart of Horse Guards, telling the story of the history, traditions and day to day life of the Household Cavalry – the personal troops of the Monarch. Exhibits uniforms, armour, ceremonial equipment and a behinds the scenes view of its working stables, all located in the historic Horse Guards parade…
Arguably London’s most famous building – home to the iconic Big Ben, as well as the heart of British political life. Guided tours show you around the historic building, including the House of Commons and House of Lords. You can also book self guided tours when Parliament isn’t in session. They also offer Big Ben…
A museum exploring the history of surgery, from ancient times to cutting-edge technology. Housed at the Royal College of Surgeons, it recently reopened after a major refurbishment, and displays the largest public display of human anatomy in England, as well as instruments, equipment and models. Fascinating, though not for the squeamish. It’s named after the…
A cutting-edge contemporary art gallery showing rolling exhibitions, focused on emerging and experimental art. Usually has one exhibition on at a time. It also has a cinema, showing often experimental films.
A unique art gallery dedicated to art featuring dogs, dating from the present day all the way back to the 1st century AD – though most art comes from the 19th and 20th century. Housed within the offices of the Kennel Club, an organisation dedicated to the wellbeing and health of dogs.
A free to visit, multi-sensory experience based around the ruins of an ancient temple of Mithras, a secretive and mysterious Roman cult. Found below Bloomberg’s London headquarters, the ruins of the 3rd century AD temple are brought to life by an immersive light and sound show. There’s also a small exhibition.
An excellent museum about the history of transport in London, going from Victorian times when the city was filled with horses and carriages, to the transport of the future. Features historic buses, Underground train carriages and exhibitions about the development of the Tube network and the art and design behind its iconic brand. Highly interactive.
A unique art gallery, led by artists and entirely not-for-profit and self funded. Showcases exhibitions and competitions, providing a platform for emerging and unknown artists. Has a wide range of exhibitions which tend to only be on for a short amount of time – check website.
A Grade I listed Palladian mansion from the 1750s, and the official residence and office of the Lord Mayor of the City of London. Includes the striking Egyptian Hall and a large art collection.
London’s world-famous major gallery, dominating Trafalgar Square. Home to a huge collection of art from the 13th century to the 20th, including work by Leonardo da Vinco and Van Gogh’s sunflowers. Usually also hosts one blockbuster (paid) temporary exhibition at a time.
Holds the world’s largest collection of portraits, including famous figures from throughout British history. It recently reopened after a major rennovation, and it’s excellent (way more interesting than the name suggests), telling Britain’s story through faces.
London’s leading museum dedicated to photography. It has no permanent collection, but instead has several temporary exhibitions running at any time, showcasing a wide range of historic and contemporary photography, across styles and geographies. Exhibitions can cover everything from Black British identity, to photography on album covers, to photography using cutting edge technology. Also home…
A museum dedicated to Poland’s experience in the Second World War, especially the story of the Polish Armed Forces in exile and the government-in-exile in London. Founded in 1945 to preserve archives, artefacts, and personal testimonies, it became a vital centre during the Cold War for keeping this history alive when it was suppressed in…
One of London’s most historic and prestigious art institutions, founded 1768, housed in the beautiful Burlington House. Nowadays it’s most famous for the Summer Exhibition, where anyone can enter their art to be shown (which if you’re in London during, is REALLY worth visiting, at least once). Throughout the rest of the year it hosts…
The Royal Academy of Music (still an active education space)’s collection, including historic and rare instruments and original manuscripts from composers.
Part of Buckingham Palace, but entered separately and with a separate ticket. Home to the royal collection of stables and a collection of carriages and coaaches used by the Royal Family. Highlight includes the Gold State Coach, used in the coronation of both Elizabeth II and Charles III.
A free to visit modern art museum across two galleries, within Kensington gardens. Hosts excellent contemporary art exhibitions, including with internationally known artists (for example an exhibition with David Hockney in 2026) as well as outside installations within the park itself.
A musueum at the real 221B Baker Street, address of the world famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Aims to recreate Holmes’ world through Victorian style rooms, including his ‘study’, filled with items referenced in the stories and guides in costume. Also home to the largest collection of Sherlock Holmes gifts and memorabilia in the world.
A huge, neo-classical building on the River Thames, which hosts exhibitions – often contemporary art, but also exhibitions about photography and design. Also worth visiting if you’re in the area for the stunning courtyard and fountain.
A rare 18th-century noble townhouse, describing itself as one of the finest buildings ever built in London, and home to extremely opulent, well-looked after state rooms. Visited by guided tour, providing an insight into the lives of Britain’s aristocracy.
A museum charting 900 years of medical care at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, with artefacts such as the 1546 refoundation agreement between Henry VIII and the City of London.
London’s iconic domed cathedral, designed by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.with religious art and architecture. Includes the crypt, which is the final resting place of Sir Christopher Wren and the DUke of Wellington,; a Whispering Gallery; and panoramic views across London from the dome.
One of London’s major art galleries, sister to the Tate Modern on South Bank. It focuses on British art throughout time, from Hogarth to Hockney, and is also home to a major collection of work by JMW Turner.
Tells the story of the five regiments of Foot Guards who guard the Royal Palaces (the ones with the big fluffy hats). The museum’s display follows these regiments’ histories from the English Civil War to modern conflicts.
Previously known as the Queen’s Gallery, a public art gallery within Buckingham Palace that showcases work from the Royal Collection on a rotating basis. Exhibitions often explore members of the Royal Family, its history and fashion, as well as its vast collection of art and photography.
A not-for-profit contemporary art space supporting emerging artists and socially engaged projects. It often focuses on political art, and supports artists who haven’t previously had significant exposure in London
A small museum inside Twinings’ flagship store on the Strand, which is the oldest dry tea and coffee shop. It’s mostly a shop, but features a small exhibit on tea and the history of Twinings.
A world-class collection of 18th and 19th century art in the historic townhouse of the Seymour family (it was originally Edward Seymour’s home, brother of Jane Seymour). Across lavish stately rooms, it showcase one of the world’s most significant collections of fine and decorative arts, including paintings by Titian and Van Dyck, arms and armour,…
The iconic triumphal arch at Hyde Park Corner. Inside is a small museum about the arch’s history and World War One, and at the top you’re rewarded with views over the park.
One of the key locations in British history, Westminster Abbey is a large Anglican church complex that has hosted the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs since 1066. Thousands of people are buried here, including former kings and queens, as well as prominent figures such as Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, and several…
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