It might not always feel like it amid the glassy skyscrapers, but the City of London is the oldest part of the capital. The ancient Square Mile is home to more than 600 listed buildings and marks the very beginning of London’s story — making it a fascinating place to explore, especially at weekends, when it’s often surprisingly quiet.
The City’s museums reflect this deep history. This is the best place in London to see Roman ruins and, while a bit of imagination is sometimes required, the surviving fragments of ancient Londinium are genuinely compelling. The London Mithraeum (Bloomberg SPACE) is particularly well presented, while the remains of the Roman amphitheatre can be seen beneath the Guildhall Art Gallery.
Beyond its Roman heritage, highlights include the Barbican Art Gallery, embedded within its vast Brutalist estate, and the Bank of England Museum, which charts the history of money in the heart of the financial district.
The much-anticipated London Museum is also set to open here in 2026.
Note: despite the name, the City of London is just one small borough of Greater London. For museums across all of London, see our complete London museum guide.
Explore all museums in City of London below. You’ll also find museums in nearby boroughs further down the page.
An A-Z of museums in the City of London
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All Hallows-by-the-Tower Crypt Museum
A small museum in one of the oldest churches in London, housed in an atmospheric crypt. It included part of... -
Bank of England Museum
A museum within the Bank of England's headquarters, which charts over 300 years of monetary history from banknote design to... -
Barbican Art Gallery
An art gallery showcasing rotating exhibitions of international artists, in the iconic brutalist Barbican complex. -
British Red Cross Museum and Archives
This lesser-known collection showcasing the British Red Cross' 150 years of history, featuring historical objects like medical kits from WWI... -
Dr Johnson’s House
The former home of Dr Samuel Johnson, where he compiled his famous and influential Dictionary of the English Language. As... -
Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre
An art gallery home to the City of London's art collection, especially notable for its Victorian pieces - though the... -
London Mithraeum (Bloomberg SPACE)
A free to visit, multi-sensory experience based around the ruins of an ancient temple of Mithras, a secretive and mysterious... -
Mansion House (The Lord Mayors Residence)
A Grade I listed Palladian mansion from the 1750s, and the official residence and office of the Lord Mayor of... -
Pollock’s Toy Museum (Leadenhall Market)
The UK's oldest toy museum - currently split across two locations, Leadenhall Market and Croydon. -
St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum
A museum charting 900 years of medical care at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, with artefacts such as the 1546 refoundation agreement... -
St Pauls Cathedral
London's iconic domed cathedral, designed by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.with religious art and architecture. Includes the...
Museums near City of London
The City of London’s central location means you’re just minutes from the rest of London’s magnificent museum offerings. Explore 80+ of central London’s best museums – from world-famous institutions to hidden gems – in our complete Central London guide.
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