Best South London Museums – 60+ Top Picks and Hidden Gems
South London is the capital’s largest and most varied region – stretching from the busy South Bank along the Thames, to the elegant and leafy South West and buzzy, culturally vibrant South East.
There’s a rich mix of culture and history, with more than 60 museums. There are some of London’s best known, including plenty of world-class collections, as well as peaceful hidden gems, community-run galleries, and much more besides.
On this page:
My top picks – the best museums in South London
Hidden gems and local museums
Themed guides: by interest or visitor type
An interactive tool to explore all 60+ museums in South London
With more than 60 museums across the huge area of South London, it can be hard to know where to start. My picks for the must-see museums in South London are:
Tate Modern (Southwark) – One of the world’s most important modern art galleries, housed in a vast former power station on the Thames. Home to a huge collection of 20th- and 21st-century art and major temporary exhibitions. Free entry (and one of my favourite places in London!).
National Maritime Museum (Greenwich) – Part of the Royal Museums Greenwich group (which also includes the Cutty Sark, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory). The museum explores Britain’s maritime history, with engaging exhibitions for all ages.
The Imperial War Museum (Lambeth) – When someone asks me my favourite museum in London, the IWM is often my answer. A huge space, exploring human conflict and people’s real stories. Informative, engaging and often very moving.
Horniman Museum and Gardens (Lewisham) – A brilliant, family-friendly museum in Forest Hill, with fascinating collections spanning natural history, anthropology and music. The gardens, with their city views, are worth the visit alone.
The Dulwich Picture Gallery (Southwark) – The world’s first purpose-built public art gallery, designed by Sir John Soane. Its collection includes European Old Masters like Rembrandt and Rubens, plus regular modern art exhibitions.
Kew Gardens (Richmond) – Huge botanical gardens, with large historic botanical gardens, several galleries and a Royal Palace.
Hampton Court Palace (Richmond) – The home of King Henry VIII, with original rooms and exhibitions all about the Tudor world.
Hidden gem museums in South London
Beyond the world-famous, must-see museums like Tate Modern, South London is home to an astonishing range of smaller, lesser known museums.
Garden Museum (Lambeth) – Located in a converted church by Lambeth Bridge, a unique museum celebrates the history and art of gardening. Small but beautifully curated, with a great café and courtyard.
Croydon Historic Airport (Croydon) – Something a little bit different – the world’s first purpose built airport terminal, now a volunteer-run museum.
Wimbledon Windmill Museum (Merton) – A small but charming museum in Wimbledon Common’s 19th-century windmill, exploring the history of windmills.
Fan Museum (Greenwich) – The world’s first museum dedicated to fans, including a fan with sketches by Dali.
Old Operating Theatre Museum (Southwark) – a historic operating theatre, giving an insight into Victorian surgery.
Eel Pie Island Museum (Richmond) – A small, volunteer-run museum celebrating Eel Pie Island and its historic music, which was graced by everyone from David Bowie to the Rolling Stones.
The Imperial War Museum is one of London’s best history museums, covering all aspects of human conflict, including top-tier permanent exhibitions on both world wars. There’s also the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum is another key site, an important airfield during the Battle of Britain and now a great museum for history enthusiasts.
There are a few interesting Tudor sites in South London, too – Eltham Palace (originally built earlier, but further developed during Henry VIII’s time) and, of course, Hampton Court, one of the best spots in London for history lovers.
There are some excellent science museums south of the Thames – the headline being two hugely important institutions in the history of science. Firstly the Royal Observatory, home to the Prime Meridian Line (making it the birthplace of modern timekeeping) and for many years the heart of British astronomy.
Then there’s Kew Gardens, home to over 50,000 living plants and a key hub for botanical research.
Elsewhere the highlights are a series of smaller museums exploring the history of medicine and science:
The Old Operating Theatre –a historic surgery theatre in the attic of a church, giving an insight into the history of medicine.
🎨 Art galleries in South London
South London’s art scene is second to none. The Dulwich Picture Gallery is the world’s oldest, while the Tate Modern is London’s blockbuster modern art gallery.
South London Gallery in Peckham has a strong reputation as for cutting edge exhibitions. There are a host of smaller galleries, such as the not-for-profit One Paved Court in Richmond, the Bankside Gallery in Southwark (home to the Royal Watercolour Society).
And finally, there’s the House of Dreams Museum, one of London’s most interesting artistic spaces – the home of artist Stephen Wright who has spent years covering it in artwork, and opens up to visitors.
🏗️ If you like architecture…
Visit Ham House (Richmond), Eltham Palace (Greenwich), or Charlton House (Greenwich) for striking historic buildings and palaces. And then there’s Strawberry Hill, one of London’s most famous architectural gems and seen as Britain’s finest example of the Georgian Gothic revival style.
Finally, for architecture lovers make sure to visit the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and home to the famous Painted Hall.
These are just a small selection of the best museums in South London. Explore all museums in South London using the interactive tool below.
Interactive tool: explore all 60+ museums in South London
How to use this guide: The cards below show an A-Z directory of all 60+ museums in South 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.
An unassuming Georgian terraced house which on the inside is utterly beautiful, covered in hand-carved fretwork, decorated by its former owner poet Khadambi Asalache. A tiny marvel and one of London’s artistic hidden treasures.
Quirky micro-museum in Putney that displays a “a small but stunning collection of breadboards and bread knives dating from the 1840s”. It’s a private project, run Madeleine Neave, whose father was behind the collection of breadboards. She runs informal, hands-on tours throughout the Summer, which include cream teas.
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.
An archive and heritage centre devoted to Black British History. Temporarily closed as a museum, but continues to host events and tours of its exhibition.
A small museum dedicated to the world’s oldest underwater tunnel and the iconic Sir Marc Isambard Brunel who designed it. It’s housed in the original 1843 engine house of Brunel’s Thames Tunnel. There’s also the opportunity to see the Grade II* listed Tunnel Shaft which once served as the Grand Entrance Hall for Victorian visitors.
One of the best examples of Jacobean manor houses in London. You can explore and learn about its rich history and its walled garden. Also includes the exhibition ‘Living in Greenwich: Tales Through Time’, showcasing its collection.
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 hands-on museum on the site of London’s medieval Clink prison. It aims to showcase what the prison was like, filled with gruesome stories and torture implements.
A sewage station might not be your average day out – but the Crossness is a masterpiece of Victorian engineering, credited with playing a crucial role in saving London from the Great Stink in 1858 and subsequent cholera epidemics. Architecturally it’s massive in scale and stunning, giving it the nickname ‘the Cathedral of Sewage’. 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 Cutty Sark is a former tea clipper, and was the fastest ship of its time. It’s now an immersive experience: explore its deck and cargo hold, take the ship’s wheel, and discover what life was sea was like. Below the ship you can see the Cutty Sark dramatically suspended above you – on the…
1760s Georgian mansion in Danson Park with rich interiors. The gardens are free to visit, while the house is only available to visit as part of a guided tour. It is also Bexley’s Registery Office.
An exhibition introducing the history of Greenwich, including details about the former Tudor palace once located here and movies and TV filmed in the area. Part of the Old Royal Naval College, but can also be visited separately (ticketed).
The former studio-home of sculptor Dora Gordine, in a 1930s Art Deco house close to Richmond Park. Displays Gordine’s sculptures and studio spaces, preserved as they were. Also home to an important collection of Russian art, part of Gordine’s personal collection.
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 world’s first purpose-built public art gallery, home to an important collection of art by the old masters. You’ll find many big hitters here – including works by Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Van Dyck. The building is a landmark in its own right – designed by John Soane, its been a core influence on art galleries…
A funky little volunteer-run museum celebrating Eel Pie Island, which was home to a legendary 1960s music club. Everyone from Howlin’ Wolf to David Bowie, Rod Stewart to the Rolling Stones and Eric Claptop played there. The museum (which isn’t actually on the Island where the venue was, but nearby) celebrates this rock’n’roll heritage, and…
A dizzying fusion of architectural styles – a medieval palace which was then further developed during Henry VIII’s time, who spent time in the property (he danced in the Great Hall!). In the 1930s, eccentric millionaires built an art-deco mansion. There are also large, glorious gardens – 19 acres of them – and an awesome…
Contemporary fashion museum, founded by designer Zandra Rhodes. It hosts rotating exhibitions of fashion, textiles, and costume design – check what’s on, it hosts a wide range of stuff which will be of interest to many people. For example past exhibitions have covered the textiles of Andy Warhol, to how texiles have been used for…
A 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.
A 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.
An ornate 1750s ‘Temple to Shakespeare’, built by actor David Garrick to honor the playright. It originally housed his extensive collection of Shakespearean relics, but is now home to a small exhibition about Garrick himself, with reproduction of work by classic artist such as Hogarth. It’s only small, but it’s a beautiful spot, set in…
A full-scale replica of the Golden Hinde, the ship captained by Sir Francis Drake which became the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe. A very kid-friendly museum, with immersive and interactive experiences for children to learn about history in an engaging way. Also great for history buffs – built using traditional methods, with an…
A stunning Tudor country house with exhibitions about its former residents, local history and free to visit gardens. It also has an owls experience, butterfly garden and hosts farmers markets.
One of the best preserved and most lavish Stuart houses in England. Beautiful interiors, filled with original artwork and period furniture. Outside are lovely formal gardens, including the Cherry Garden. It’s often hailed as one of Britain’s most haunted houses.
One of London’s most spectacular historic sites, Hampton Court Palace is best known as the grand Tudor palace of King Henry VIII – complete with vast kitchens, courtyards, and a great hall fit for feasts. Later expanded by William and Mary in the 17th century, it’s a rare chance to see both Tudor and Baroque…
A leading contemporary art gallery which hosts rotating modern art exhibitions. Has a reputation for putting on cutting-edge exhibitions, including immersive installations. Housed in the brutalist monolith of the Southbank Centre on the River Thames.
A historic airport, home to the world’s first purpose built airport terminal. Between the wars it was the UK’s only international airport, and for a time it was the biggest and most advanced airport in the world.
An iconic WWII Royal Navy warship museum moored on the Thames. You can explore its lower and upper decks to see what life was like for those onboard – all of its cabins are presented as they were, including the Mess Decks, the Sick Bay, and the opportunity to hold the steering wheel. Exhibitions explore…
A historic house in the London borough of Sutton, dating back to the mid-17th century. It reopened to visitors in 2012 after a refurbishment, and is home to exhibitions about the local area and the house itself.
A huge, popular family museum with a wildly eclectic collection which is impossible to define. Highlights include the World Gallery, with collections from across continents; an aquarium; a natural history display; a display of music instruments. It’s also popular for its large gardens home to a number of interesting sights – like a butterfly house,…
The home of artist Stephen Wright, who has spent years covering with artworks, sculptures and designs with found objects – made up of things he buys at flea markets, or donated by visitors. Every inch is covered with mosaics, riots of colour, sculpture. And… many, many creepy dolls. An utterly unique place to visit.
An 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…
One of the world’s most famous and biggest botanical gardens, home to over 50,000 living plants, historic glasshouses, several galleries, a royal palace and a genuinely awesome treetop walkway. There’s an extraordinary amount to see – you can read my full guide here: https://whatsdownthatstreet.com/2024/06/12/kew-gardens-highlights/
A small museum exploring the history of Kingston upon Thames. Notable collections include ‘Town of Kings’, exploring the borough’s royal history, and ‘Eadweard Muybridge’, about the pioneering Victorian photographer who was from the area. Also has a small art gallery which showcases temporary exhibitions.
A unique industrial museum, home to engineer David Kirkaldy’s colossal Universal Testing Machine, which he designed to test building components, and other testing machines. For over a century, Kirkaldy, his team, and later his descendants tested materials of every kind, from metal to wooden beams, for major projects such as Hammersmith Bridge and the Sydney…
The historic London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury (still in use), open for guided tours on specific days. One of London’s oldest continuously inhabited residences, and a stunningly preserved example of medieval architecture. Also home to peaceful gardens.
The National Library and Archive of the Church of England. Founded in 1610, it holds one of the most important collections of ecclesiastical archives in the world – from medieval manuscripts and early printed books to modern church records, and hosts exhibitions about the history of the Church. Also operates free tours of the library.
An arts and community centre in a former church which – as well as its programme of events, classes and shows – hosts small, free community led exhibitions. For example, hosts Richmond’s art fair twice a year.
A small museum dedicated to the history of learning disability. Housed within the stunning Langdon Down Centre, a Victoria building established by Dr John Langdon Down, established as a place where people with learning disabilities could be cared for and educated at a time when most of them would have been condemned to life in…
A bit of a hidden gem in South West London, the Grade II listed former home of Frank Dickinson, part fof the Arts and Crafts movement. The house was designed by Dickinson himself, inspired by William Morris.
A elegant 18th-century Palladian villa set in 66 acres of riverside parkland. Recently renovated, home to Georgian artworks, period furnishings and a large garden.
A small museum, only available by booking ahead and only open on certain days, with exhibitions about the history of the Met Police, its offices, and crimes in the city.
Richmond’s local museum, inside the borough’s lovely Victorian Old Town Hall. Covers the borough’s history from medieval times to present, with community-driven exhibitions, talks and tours. Exhibitions are split across themes, such as Richmond’s Industry, Richmond’s Archaeology, Richmond’s Architecture and Richmond’s People. One of its highlights is the model of Richmond Palace, one of Henry…
An independent, volunteer-run local history museum showcasing Wimbledon’s history and the people who’ve lived here. Includes a collection relating to the campaign for Women’s Suffrage; models of lost manor houses; and local archaeology finds.
Britains premier maritime museum and the largest of its kind in the world. A must-visit for maritime history enthusiasts, with exhibitions immersing visitors in naval history – a higlight is the jacket Admiral Nelson war at the Battle of Trafalgar – and home to ships and boats from all across the world. A Fijian canoe,…
A unique medical museum in the attic of an 18th century church, home to Europe’s oldest surviving surgical theatre for female patients. Provides insight into the history of medicine and Victorian surgery, back before anaesthetics and antiseptics. As well as exploring the old operating theatre, you can see the Herb Garrett above, which was used…
Greenwich’s architectural gem, designed by Sir Christopher Wren originally as a hospital for injured Seamen before becoming a naval college. It’s now most famous for the iconic Painted Hall, more than 3,700 square matres of Baroque art covering the walls and ceilings, depicting kings, queens, naval glory and mythological creaters. It’s often called Britain’s Sistine…
Tucked away in a restored 18th-century building just off Richmond Green, One Paved Court is an independent, not-for-profit gallery showcasing contemporary art. Run by a collective of artists, it hosts an ever-changing programme of exhibitions spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media.
A free public art gallery, housed in the Baroque Octagon Room overlooking the River Thames in Twickenham. It’s home to the borough’s rich art collection, and also hosts (largely contemporary art) temporary exhibitions. Surrounded by woodland.
A bit of a hidden gem in Greenwich Park, Ranger’s House is an elegant Georgian villa (its exterior used in Bridgerton!) home to the private art collection of Sir Julius Wernher. It’s a treasure trove for art enthusiasts, home to nearly 700 works including paintings by the Old Masters and an eclectic mix of decorative…
The former home of William Morris, stunningly decorated with original furnishings, Pre-Raphaelite art and gardens. Visit to the house is by pre-book only.
Tucked away above the Wimbledon Sewing Machine Co. in Balham is this small, unique museum charting the evolution of the sewing machine from 1850-1950. It featurse over 600 machine, including a Singer prototype and a patent model from the Great Exhibition.
A reconstruction of Shakespeare’s 16th century Globe Theatre. As well as its live productions in an authentic historic environment, it offers guided tours, during which you’ll learn about Shakespeare’s London and visit the Theatre’s exhibition space.
A grade II listed, restored 1854 tower windmill offering Sunday tours. Most of the original machinery is still in place, give an insight into milling history.
A small Victorian-era institute dedicated to botany, featuring a historic herbarium and peaceful botanic garden, with themed sections, including a collection of carniverous plants.
A contemporary public art gallery in Peckham, which has been going for 125 years and has a reputation for cutting edge exhibition showcasing modern art.
A small showcase of Southwark’s historic collection, including local history displays, artefacts from the Cuming Collection (which used to be housed in the Cuming Museum) and works from the borough’s collection of art. Housed within Walworth Library.
An extraordinary 18th building by Horace Walpole, seen as Britain’s best example of Georgian Gothic Revival Architecture. It’s a feast for the eyes inside and out, filled with eccentric details and Walpole’s art collection.
One of London’s premier art galleries, famous for its absolutely ginormous collection of 20th and 21st century art, and blockbuster temporary exhibitions. You could spend all day exploring its free permanent collection and still not see everything. For me, the highlight is the ‘Artist and Society’ section, which explores the interaction between politics and art,…
A volunteer-run museum of cinema memorabilia housed in a former workhouse. Focused on cinema before the age of the multiplex, with a collection going back to the 1890s.
The first museum in the world dedicated to hand fans, located across two Grade II* Georgian buildings. Home to more than 6,000 fans displaying exquisite craftmanship and an astonishing range of artistry. The oldest dates to the 11th century. The collection will also be of interest to art lovers – it includes a fan with…
A former royal villa and one of Greenwich’s most beautiful buildings, now an art gallery. Designed by Inigo Jones, setting the blueprint for the rest of maritime Greenwich. Highlights include a painting by Gainsborough; a famous portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and the Tulip Stairs – its dizzying, elegant staircase, the first unsupported spiral stairs…
An observatory in Greenwich Park which played a huge role in the history of astronomy and navigation. Also the birthplace of modern timekeeping, home to the Prime Meridian line (giving us Greenwich Mean Time). Excellent exhibitions about time and space; one of the UK’s largest telescopes; and a world-class modern planetarium.
Galleries within the University of Greenwich, including the Stephen Lawrence Gallery, showcasing temporary exhibitions, often focused on contemporary art or local heritage.
A small, community museum focusing on the industrial heritage of the River Wandle, including Young’s Brewery; William Morris’ printworks; lavender, snuff and dye industries.
The world’s largest tennis museum, within the Wimbledon Tennis Club, right next to Centre Court. Usually visited as part of a tour, it tells the story of the tournament through interactive galleries, with memorabilia and artefacts about many of the great players to have graced its courts.
A tiny museum inside an 1817 windmill on Wimbledon Common. As well as exploring the windmill itself, there are exhibits explaining the evolution of windmills. Also home to models of windmills, ranging from ancient windmills to the various types used in Britain.
The award-winning definitive museum of rugby union, within Twickenham Stadium. Home to a huge collection of rugby memorabilia as well as interactive displays, exploring all aspects of the sport, its history, and key moments. Can be visited separately or as part of a stadium tour.
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