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
Make sure to check out my full London museum guide, or read my guides to museums in North, East, West and Central London.
Best museums in South London – my top picks
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.
Which South London Museum should I visit…
🧒 Best South London Museums if you have kids
The Horniman Museum (Lewisham), National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), and Cutty Sark (also Greenwich) are all perfect family days out. Hampton Court Palace (Richmond) often has events and other activities on, and is great for kids.
The Wimbledon Windmill Museum and Croydon Historic Airport Visitor Centre are fun smaller options.
🏛️ Best South London museums if you love history
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.
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich covers all aspects of seafaring history, and can be tied in with a visit to the Old Royal Naval College.
🔬 Science galleries in South London
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 Florence Nightingale Museum (Lambeth), celebrating the pioneer of modern nursing.
- Bethlem Museum of the Mind (Bromley) – exploring the history of mental health care.
- 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.
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