Bank of England Museum
City of London
Explore the history of money, banking and the Bank of England.
- Free admission
- Family-friendly
- Usually walk in
Free culture in London
Choose an area or subject and find a museum that suits your day. General admission or the permanent collection is free at every place listed.
Special exhibitions, events and some attractions inside a museum may charge. Booking rules and opening hours can change, so check the museum's official page before travelling.
Choose your visit
Results
Map view
Use the map to compare areas, then open a marker to find the museum in the list.
32 locations available on the map.
Showing all museums.
Try another area or remove one of the filters.
City of London
Explore the history of money, banking and the Bank of England.
King's Cross
See manuscripts, maps, music and historic documents from the national collection.
Bloomsbury
Objects covering human history and cultures from around the world.
Hampstead
Free changing exhibitions of contemporary art in a historic building, with a secluded garden and an on-site café.
Kensington
The free permanent display introduces contemporary design and how objects are made.
Bloomsbury
A compact university museum filled with zoological specimens and curiosities.
City of London
Victorian art and the remains of London's Roman amphitheatre.
Holborn
Explore the history of surgery through preserved anatomical specimens, human remains, skeletons and medical instruments. The displays can be graphic and may not suit younger children or squeamish visitors.
Forest Hill
Anthropology, natural history, musical instruments and extensive gardens.
Lambeth
Personal stories, objects and galleries covering modern conflict.
Canary Wharf
The history of the Thames, London's docks and the communities around them.
Hoxton
Explore how people have lived at home through rooms, gardens and personal stories.
Trafalgar Square
European paintings from the 13th to early 20th century in Trafalgar Square.
Greenwich
Britain's maritime history, exploration, trade and life at sea.
Trafalgar Square
Portraits telling stories about influential people in British history and culture.
South Kensington
Dinosaurs, wildlife, geology and the natural world in a landmark building.
Bloomsbury
A university collection covering thousands of years of Egyptian and Sudanese history.
Greenwich
Historic royal architecture and an art collection in Greenwich Park.
Colindale
Aircraft, aviation history and Royal Air Force stories across several hangars.
South Kensington
Science, technology, engineering, space and interactive family galleries.
Kensington Gardens
Contemporary art exhibitions across two galleries in Kensington Gardens.
Holborn
An atmospheric historic house packed with art, architecture and antiquities.
Camberwell
Contemporary exhibitions and projects across several buildings in south London.
Millbank
British art from the 1500s to today, including the Turner collection.
Bankside
International modern and contemporary art in a former power station.
Stratford
A new free museum exploring global creativity, design and making in east London.
Stratford
An open working store where visitors can explore objects usually kept behind the scenes.
South Kensington
Art, design, fashion, sculpture and decorative objects from around the world.
Marylebone
Paintings, furniture, armour and decorative arts in a historic townhouse.
Euston
Free exhibitions exploring health, medicine, science and human experience.
Whitechapel
Modern and contemporary exhibitions at a major east London public gallery.
Bethnal Green
A museum designed for children and young people around play, imagination and design.
London has free national museums, small local collections, university museums and independent galleries across the city. Use the filters to find places by area and subject, including art, history, science, transport and London life. You can also narrow the list to family-friendly options or museums that normally do not require advance booking.
Every place listed offers free general admission or free access to its permanent collection. Temporary exhibitions, special events and some attractions inside the building may still charge. Reserve a free entry slot where recommended and check opening hours on the official website before travelling.
For most visitors, one large museum and one smaller nearby museum or gallery is a comfortable day. Allow around two to three hours for a major collection, plus time for security, lunch and travel. The British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A are large enough to occupy most of a day on their own, so choose a few priority galleries before arriving.
Grouping nearby museums saves time and money. The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A are together in South Kensington, but trying to see all three properly in one day can be exhausting. Easier combinations include the National Gallery with the National Portrait Gallery, or the National Maritime Museum with Queen's House in Greenwich.
Read our guide to choosing a free London museum.