There are nearly 250 museums in London – more than just about any other city in the world. Through London’s Museum Guide I want to encourage others to share my love of London’s incredible museum scene, and help you to discover gems you might not have heard of.
Below you’ll find a full, filterable list of everything the city has to offer. Head to the London Museum Guide homepage to explore bespoke guides.
A complete A-Z of London’s museums by theme & location
How to use this guide: The cards below show an A-Z directory of all 250+ museums in 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. If you prefer to look at a map, visit my London Museum Map here.
Finally, have fun, and if you have any tips, want to leave a review for a museum, or notice an error, don’t hesitate to comment or contact me!
A historic stately home which was the RAF’s Fighter Command HQ during World War Two. It tells the story of the Battle of Britain and the people who contributed to victory. It features interactive exhibits, and the opportunity to sit in a replica Spitfire cockpit. There’s also information about the history of the building and…
Museum at Bethlem Royal Hospita,l exploring mental healthcare history and the lives, experience and achievements of people with mental health problems. It also hosts temporary exhibitions about mental health, and showcases a large collection of art, including pieces by former patients dating back 200 years. Open to the public Wednesday-Saturday.
Tells the story of Biggin Hill, “the most important airfield during the Battle of Britain”. It includes personal stories, chapel memorial, and modern interactive displays for all ages. Opening hours change seasonally – visit website.
The museum at Stamford Bridge, telling the story of Chelsea FC and visited as part of a stadium tour. Features trophies, VR, memorabilia, and stadium access.
22-mile network of man-made caves, created from the 13th-19th centuries. Originally used as mines, they were used during the First World War to store ammunition and the Second World War as a shelter. Lamp-lit tours explore mythology, geology, and history. Visited by guided tour only
A small museum telling the story of the original Crystal Palace, a huge iron and glass structure built for the Great Exhibition in 1851 in Hyde Park. The building was then moved to the area now known as Crystal Palace, but burnt down in 1936.
The home of Charles Darwin, with extensive gardens, an audioguide by David Attenborough and exhibitions about his work. You’ll also find the Sandwalk – a path he would take multiple times a day, thought to be crucial as he developed his theories.
The former home of Emery Walker, an important figure in the Arts and Crafts movement and close friend of William Morris. Beautifully preserved with its interiors almost exactly as they were when Walker lived here, described as “the last authentic Arts and Crafts interior in Britain”.
For over 1,300 years, this was the home of the Bishops of London. Now you can explore its history through its preserved rooms and museum, as well as explore its 13 acres of gardens with exotic plants. Other highlights are its Tudor Hall and its archaeological finds (the site is still being excavated, with findings…
Harrow’s local history museum, and one of London’s best borough museums, in the historic Headstone Manor complex. Across the complex are four historic buildings – including Headstone Manor itself (a moated manor house) and the Great Barn, a 500 year old farm building. Inside Headstone Manor are interactive exhibits on Harrows past.
The London Transport Museum’s depot, where the majority of its 500,000-object collection is held, including vintage vehicles, trains, buses, posters and maps. Visited by guided tour focusing on specific aspects of its collection – such as design, and ‘Cab it!’ where you can explore a number of old underground trains and see the drivers room.…
The art collection of Harrow School, a prestiguous boarding school for boys. Features a wide range of treasures, including 19th century European watercolours; Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities; 19th century Japanese prints. The gallery rotates which parts of its collection are visible, through temporary exhibitions each term.
The country home of Sir John Soane (Ealing was countryside back then!), designed by him. Soane is one of Britain’s most influential architects. You can explore the manjor, recently restored to Soane’s original design. There is also a contemporary art gallery.
Dagenham’s only surviving Manor House, dating back to Medieval times. Exhibitions tell the story of the boroughs history, and the history building is still partly surrounded by a moat.
The smaller of London’s two museums on William Morris, in the home he lived in his final years. Rich with his work and information about his life, of interest to Arts & Crafts lovers.
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