Best Free Museums in London

How does 2 million years of free culture sound? Well, look no further than Britain's very own museum, the British Museum! Enter a world of other worlds, with sections dedicated to many eras of our planet. 

You'll find carvings and tablets from early man, artefacts from ancient Greece and Egypt, all the way through to Renaissance paintings. And, while you'll have to pay to enter some of the exhibits, on the whole, the bulk of the museum is absolutely free.

Do you want to see freaking dinosaur skeletons? Of course you do. Head over to the Natural History Museum and see them for yourself!

Get a glimpse into the distant past as you explore creatures great and small throughout 65 million years of our planet's history. Meet giant sloths, extinct dinosaurs, and a big old blue whale skeleton that hangs over your head. And, other than a couple of paid exhibits, all of this is entirely free for you to explore. So go see some big bones, baby!

A celebratory marriage of art, design, and history, the V&A Museum is one of the best free museums you can visit in London. Opened back in the 19th century, and named after then Queen Victoria and her husband Albert, the V&A Museum is an inspiring collection of over 5000 years of art artefacts.

Art-efacts? Yes. You'll discover ancient clothes, jewellery, sculptures, and prints that will give you key insight into past cultures and their people. They also have some late events, if you're more of a night owl.

The Science Museum is a mind-opening experience for any curious human, giving you a look back at how science and technology have changed our lives throughout history. From progress in medicine to monuments to the space race, you'll find a world of wonder within. 

There are interactive exhibits, a massive collection of scientific artifacts, and much more. And yes, other than a couple of specific paid exhibitions, including the IMAX 4D cinema, you're free to wander and wonder, free of charge.

Discover the history of humanity's relationship with the oceans at the Royal Museums Greenwich. At the National Maritime Museum, you'll discover the origins of Greenwich Mean Time and time zones, the history of Britain's sea exploration, and heaps of seafaring artefacts. 

Then, head over to Queen's House, where you can walk up the famous Tulip Stairs, marvel at all the marble, and study some fantastic paintings from notable luminaries of the brush like Turner. And yes, as you may have gathered, it's all completely free.

Want to get a better insight into the history of the city itself? Then head on over to the Museum of London. There, you'll discover the capital's rich history, from Roman occupation all the way through to the 2012 Olympics. 

Want to know how the Great Fire of London resulted in much of the city's redevelopment and redesign? Want to see artefacts from throughout the city's history, from Tudor dresses to medieval tapestries? Find all that and much, much more within. 

War is a sad fact of life, and until we change as a species, that will remain the case. However, as awful as war is, it makes up a huge part of our history. So, if you want to know more about it and the people it has impacted, head to the Imperial War Museum.

Step inside, and you'll find exhibitions dedicated to the First World War, the Second World War, and the Cold War, all the way up to the “illustrious” War on Terror that has irrevocably changed the course of human history in the new millennium. Weapons of war, both big and small, artefacts from conflicts long past, and memorabilia from soldiers on the front lines are all there to be seen and experienced. 

While some rotating exhibits do cost a few quid, the bulk of legacy exhibits are completely free, making it perfect for this list. 

Ever wondered what life on London’s docks was like way back when? If you answered “yes”, the good news is that there’s an entire museum dedicated to dockworkers and their prowling ground. Head over to the Museum of London Docklands and learn about how boats, ships, and other sea-riding vehicles changed our lives forever. 

There are a load of free exhibitions available that explore the evolution of the docks, worldwide transportation of goods, and the technology that's responsible. If you're looking for free dockland fun, it's easily one of the best free museums in London!

And finally, if you're looking for something a little more unusual in your free museum quest, give Horniman Museum & Gardens a gander. Inside, you'll find a comprehensive collection of anthropological artefacts, ancient musical instruments, taxidermied animals from across the globe, and much more. 

There, you'll find an intimate range of stories and showcases from filmmakers and artists, exploring the history of hair and why it matters so much to us humans. It might sound strange, but it's worth checking out. And don’t leave without checking out the Horniman Mereman - spine-shivering stuff.