Discover every museum in London all in one place.
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!
-
2 Willow Road
Read more: 2 Willow RoadA 1930s modernist terraced home preserved with original interiors and modern art. Designed by Ernő Goldfinger, a key figure in the Modernist architectural movement
-
Barnet Museum
Read more: Barnet MuseumLocal museum tracing Barnets history from Bronze Age to present. Set in a historic house.
-
Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice
Read more: Bow Street Museum of Crime and JusticeAn 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…
-
Brunei Gallery, SOAS
Read more: Brunei Gallery, SOASGallery at SOAS University showcasing rotating exhibitions highlighting art and artifacts from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Its aim is to promote a better understanding of the art, culture, history and contemporary contexts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
-
Buckingham Palace
Read more: Buckingham PalaceThe 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…
-
Fenton House
Read more: Fenton House17th-century merchants house and a fine example of Georgian architecture. Throughout the house are musical instrument and porcelain collections, and there is a beautiful garden, including a 300 year old orchard.
-
Florence Nightingale Museum
Read more: Florence Nightingale MuseumA museum celebrating the pioneer of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. Explores her life, how she pioneered nursing during the Crimean War, and her campaign for better nursing. A highlight is the lamp that gave her her famous nickname: ‘the lady with the lamp. Well-regarded for its informative and inspiring storytelling.
-
Freud Museum London
Read more: Freud Museum LondonFinal home of Sigmund Freud, including his collection of antiquities, his study and his library, and his famous psychoanalytic couch. There are also temporary exhibitions, and a portrait of Freud by Dali.
-
Garden Museum
Read more: Garden MuseumA small museum dedicated to British gardening history within a medieval church. Home to lovely gardens (as you’d expect!), and a permanent exhibition about gardening and its history. You can also climb the church’s ancient tower, with views over the Thames.
-
Hackney Museum
Read more: Hackney MuseumHackney’s local museum, exploring over 1,000 years of history. This includes exhibitions on Saxon Hackney all the way through to its modern, diverse identity and rich history of migration. It’s all presented in an engaging, family-friendly way and is know for being an inclusive community resource with plenty of interactive elements for children.
-
Imperial War Museum London
Read more: Imperial War Museum LondonAn excellent museum exploring modern conflict. As well as military vehicles, rockets and artefacts, has excellent permanent exhibitions on the Two World Wars, an award winning and poignant Holocaust exhibition, and a collection of art and photography related to conflict. Its temporary exhibitions are also excellent and free, and the museum’s focus on real people’s…
-
Inns of Court & City Yeomanry Museum
Read more: Inns of Court & City Yeomanry MuseumA small museum about the Inns of Court Regiment, tracing its unusual history and predecessor units from 1584 through many conflicts right up to recent operations in Afghanistan. Open only on request.
-
Jewish Museum London
Read more: Jewish Museum LondonExcellent museum of Jewish heritage and culture in Britain, with ceremonial objects, personal stories, and exhibits on the Holocaust.
-
Kenwood House
Read more: Kenwood HouseA stately home on Hampstead Heath, built in the 17th century and remodelled in the 18th. Famous for its elegant interiors, landscaped gardens, and world-class art collection – including work by Rembrandt.
-
Royal Air Force Museum London
Read more: Royal Air Force Museum LondonThe RAF’s flagship London museum, with six aircraft hangers looking at the RAF’s history, present and future. Plenty of interactive exhibitions and aircrafts.
-
Royal Mews (Buckingham Palace)
Read more: Royal Mews (Buckingham Palace)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.
-
Sherlock Holmes Museum
Read more: Sherlock Holmes MuseumA 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.
-
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Read more: Sir John Soane’s MuseumThe preserved home of neoclassical architect Sir John Soane, preserved as it was at the time of his death in 1837 and home to his vast, varied collection with artefacts from all over the globe. Also hosts a number of free to visit exhibitions, usually around architecture or art.
-
The British Library
Read more: The British LibraryOne of the world’s largest libraries, with a free exhibition showcasing some of its treasures – including handwritten Beatles lyrics and the Magna Carta, along with important artefacts from across the world.
-
The Cartoon Museum
Read more: The Cartoon MuseumMuseum of British cartoons, comics and animation from 18th century to present, celebrating humor and political satire in cartooning. It also hosts excellent and fun temporary exhibitions.
-
The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Read more: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham PalacePreviously 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.
-
The Magic Circle Museum
Read more: The Magic Circle MuseumSmall museum of magic history, in the headquarters of the Magic Circle – the world’s most famous magic society, with over 1,700 members and a century of history. You can only visit as part of an event, which are hosted several times a week.
-
Whitehall Historic House
Read more: Whitehall Historic HouseA Grade II* listed Tudor manor house, home to exhibitions about the local area and the building’s former inhabitants.
Thanks for visiting my blog! This post may contain affiliate links - which means if you make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to yourself. This helps me keep this site running for free.