Best Museums in London

By Dom Bewley
best museums in london

Knowledge is power. Every day, many of us look to nourish our withered brains with learning. Whether online, in a book, or in the scary outside world, it's good to learn. After all, a strong brain is a happy brain. So, if you're looking to flex those synapses on a day out in London, where should one go? Why, a museum, of course! London has a boat-load of the info hives just waiting for you. 'But there are so many, which are the best?' we hear you cry. Stop crying, and start reading, because these are the best museums in London.

Featuring:

  • Museum of London
  • Natural History Museum
  • Science Museum
  • V&A Museum
  • British Museum
  • Royal Museums Greenwich
  • London Transport Museum
  • Museum of Brands

Museum of London

Best Museums in London

Why not start our trip down museum lane with one about the city itself? It may shock you to discover that the Museum of London is a museum about London. Step inside, and you'll find out about the city's long history, which dates back thousands of years to the Romans. You'll discover the rise and fall of nations, the coronation and usurping of leaders, and how the city's culture has shifted through generations.

See exhibits dedicated to famous events like the Olympics, as well as those dedicated to fictional characters like Sherlock Holmes. London is a city absolutely brimming with history. Visit the Museum of London, and have it condensed into a bite-sized chunk that'll fit perfectly in your brain.

 

Natural History Museum

Best Museums in London

Arguably one of, if not the best museums in London, the Natural History Museum is known worldwide for its stunning collection of fossils. How many, you may wonder? Well, there are around 80 million contained within! You'll gaze up at the life-sized blue whale skeleton, see dinosaurs and other ancient creatures, and explore floor upon floor of exciting history!

During your visit, why not get yourself a free guidebook? Thanks to the guide's map, you can make your way around all the museum's best exhibits, so you don't miss a thing. Plus, it's a great keepsake to take home with you!

Science Museum

Best Museums in London

And right next door to the Natural History Museum is the Science Museum, a must-visit for any of you curious minds out there! Within, you'll discover humankind's scientific progress throughout time, from the humble wagon to the spacefaring rocket. Explore the evolution of technology, medicine, and existence through a multitude of interactive exhibits, artefacts, and videos.

There's also a 3D IMAX screen housed within, featuring a number of family-friendly films that'll excite as much as they educate. Swim beside fish in the sea, or travel to the stars, all while sitting comfortably in a dark, warm cinema.

 

V&A Museum

Best Museums in London

London's leading art and design museum, the V&A Museum is easily one of the best museums in London. Featuring collections of art and design from both the past and the present, the museum's collections touch on everything from fashion, performance, and cultural diversity.

With a rich rotation of exhibits taking place throughout the year, make sure to check what's on and book ahead before you travel. If you need to refuel, there's a restaurant that serves warm lunches throughout the day. And, if the weather is good, feel free to grab a cold drink and sit in the vast open garden you'll in the middle of the museum!

British Museum

Best Museums in London

Step inside the British Museum and discover 2 million years of history and culture. Discover 8 million artefacts from humanity's history. See ancient relics from all across the world, and enter exhibits dedicated to some of the most exciting periods of the past!

Whether it's a gallery full of Egyptian sarcophagi, medieval tapestries, or Roman war artefacts, you're sure to find something to stun and delight you!

 

Royal Museums Greenwich

Best Museums in London

If you prefer your history more seaborne, take a trip to the Royal Museums Greenwich in the eponymous London suburb. There's so much to see and do, including a visit to the National Maritime Museum. There, you can chart the history of sea exploration and reminisce on amazing human endeavours. With a vast collection of historically-significant maritime artefacts to see, and interactive displays to enjoy, it's easily one of the best museums in London.

Then, take a stroll over to the Queen's House, a delightfully-designed villa that was built in the 17th century by Inigo Jones. Within, you'll see works of art from esteemed painters like Turner and Hogarth, ascend the Tulip Stairs, and marvel at the marble finish throughout the villa.

 

London Transport Museum

Best Museums in London

Get an insight into London's colourful transport history at the London Transport Museum. From black cabs and tube logos to red buses, London is known worldwide for its unique transport offerings. Here, you'll see how these choices came about, and how London transport has evolved through the years. Featuring a huge gathering of vehicles, artwork, artefacts, and footage, it's a great place to discover the origins of some of the world's most recognisable icons.

You even get the chance to explore real buses, tube trains, and other transport types. Perfect for small and big kids alike, it's a great place to take the family.

 

Museum of Brands

Best Museums in London

Take a trip through time, and see how advertising and consumer culture have evolved over 200 years of history! With over half a million artefacts on display, the Museum of Brands is one of the best museums in London!

See how brands and advertising have evolved through all parts of our lives, whether entertainment, music, or magazine. It's a great way to explore how social and political influence has changed our culture. And, how technology has allowed brands to evolve along with it. With an entire section dedicated to television advertisements throughout the years, you'll laugh and cringe in equal measure, as you're cruelly reminded of how awkward ads were back then. And, by extension, how old you are now.

 

And that about does it for the best museums in London you simply cannot miss! If you're looking for other things to do when visiting the English capital, why not check out our guides to Shoreditch, Notting Hill, and Mayfair? Or, if you want to see the city but don't know where to sleep, check out our guide for the best places to stay in London!

And, if you want to check out all the very best London attractions the capital has to offer, pick up a London pass and see it all for one low price!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Outdoor Activities in London
Blog

Outdoor Activities London

You know how it is. Sometimes, it's fun being inside. The feeling of relief when someone else cancels plans you really weren't up for attending. Meanwhile, you get to stay inside guilt-free, splaying out on the sofa absorbing terrible TV like an unsociable husk. It's magical. Other times, you've got that pep in you, that desire to get out there and show the world who you really are. You're an outdoors person. You like going outdoors and doing things outside of those doors. And, if you're living in London or are visiting the English capital, you might be wondering what outdoor thing to do. Well, wonder no longer, for we have curated this list of the very best outdoor activities in London. So read on, get inspired, and find something new to do today! Featuring: Parks Rooftop drinks See a film Urban escapes Animal hangouts and more! Go to a park Let's start with something so cheap it's free. Walking, the human's favourite mode of physical transport. Walking is excellent for both the body and mind, getting those endorphins pumping and breathing in some fresh air. And where better to get your step on than at a park? Trees, grass, tiny woodland critters. Parks really do have it all. And in London, you're simply spoiled for choice. Hyde Park, Victoria Park, Ally Pally, Finsbury Park, and Regents Park are all heavy hitters in the London park department. Want something smaller? Try Barnard Park and Islington Green in North, Shoreditch Park or London Fields in East, Ladbroke Square Garden or Holland Park in West, or Clapham Common in South. Wherever you are, there are big and small green places all around. So get up, go out and find them! Simple yet effective, parks walks and hangouts are some of the best outdoor activities in London! Check out a rooftop bar If the weather's right, the sun's out, and the clouds are on holiday, why not grab a cool refreshing drink at one of London's many rooftop bars? You've got low-key affairs like The Castle and Vagabond, which offer no-frills terrace drinks and tasty bites. For higher-energy trips, head to Brixton Beach or Bussey Building, which both offer great drinks, pumping music, and great party vibes. Or, if you want to be active while on a rooftop sipping cocktails, try Skylight in Tobacco Dock or Peckham. You can play a few rounds of croquet or boules with your friends as the sun shines down on you. Who ever knew that throwing or smacking balls with a mallet could be so much fun? Go there, and you will know. See a film beneath the stars Yes, you read that right. Films, but outside. That's techinically an outdoor activity in London, right? If you simply can't be without the talking pictures, you can make them an outdoor activity too! Relive the glory days of drive-in cinema. You've got plenty to choose from too. Perhaps the biggest one around is Rooftop Film Club. With venues in Stratford and Peckham - at the good old Bussey Building - they're the best in the business. Showing a mix of old classics, Oscar winners, modern films, and musicals, you're sure to find the perfect flick to watch under the stars. You could probably sing along too, if you're so way inclined. Alternatively, check out Film4's 'Summer Screen Festival' at Somerset House for an eclectic mix of cult classics, new releases, and lesser-known indie hits. Or, if you're feeling courageous, why not take to the sea with 'Movies on the River'? Adorably, they play an assortment of river-based films like Wind River, The River Wild, and Mystic River. River-ting. A little wordplay never hurt anyone. See the sights on an open-air bus Does the thought of sitting down outside yet moving around sound like fun? Why not hop aboard an open-air bus tour of the city? You'll get the chance to see the city's sights with the wind running through your hair, or what's left of it. You'll pass iconic London sights like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace. And thanks to a handy, informed guide, you'll learn all about them too. It's like school, but fun. And outside. An escape room, but outdoors So, you're looking to outdoor activities in London, are you? Well, how about this doozy? London is under threat, from hackers or something. Do you have the wits and smarts to save the city? If you answered 'yeah, sure,' why not check out Urban Missions? This outdoor escape room slash scavenger hunt takes place entirely outdoors. You work for The Agency, a shadowy organisation that stays in the shadows. Your task? Use WhatsApp to receive clues and codes, then use your brains to solve them. This adventure will take you all through the city, just like a real phone detective. Groups of two or more must work together to solve every clue, unlock every code, and save London from an unknown threat. Are you up to the task? There's only one way to find out. Try it for yourself and see what you're made of. Go to the zoo And, finally, why not add some fauna to your outdoor adventure? Walk, talk, and other things with the animals at London Zoo! There are a whopping 20,000 animals for you to mingle with from all over the planet. All you cat lovers are in for a treat. You can visit Land of the Lions, a space dedicated to the majestic and sadly endangered Asiatic Lions. There are only 400 left on the planet, which is incredibly sad. Alternatively, if you like your cats with a few more stripes, go see Tiger Territory, which is dedicated to Sumerian Tigers. Learn about their day-to-day habits, and the issues we have with conserving their natural habitat. Or, if you sleep all day and the night is your time to shine, go check out Night Life, an entire exhibit dedicated to the exotic critters that own the night. On top of all that, you've got gorillas, penguins, butterflies, and even kid-friendly offerings like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Here endeth the list of all the best outdoor activities you can experience in London. So go forth, and be active. And outside.
Dom Bewley
Busy street in London with two phone boxes and Christmas lights
Blog

The best Christmas markets in London

If you happen to be in this enigmatic city as the days get colder and the nights get longer, you’ll notice a proliferation of twinkly lights that can only mean one thing – Christmas markets have appeared!
Karleen Stevens
A couple laughing together in front of the London Eye
Blog

Things to do in London for couples

Whether you’ve been together six months or 60 years, there’s a wide array of things to do in London for couples. Strolling hand in hand through the grounds of palaces and stately homes, taking in views of the River Thames’ meandering path or soaking up some culture are just some of the experiences that await. Share in London’s historic wonders After six weddings and two beheadings, Henry VIII’s record as a husband may come into question, but it’s hard not to admire his taste in homes. Riverside Hampton Court Palace was his favorite residence, and the only Tudor royal palace in London welcoming the public. Having wondered at the Great Hall and historic kitchens, save some time for tackling the famous maze together – like couples have been doing since it was first planted in the 1680s. Continuing the theme of important London homes is Hampstead’s Keats House. The 19th-century romantic poet John Keats lived in the building for less than two years. However, as visitors will discover, in this time he not only wrote Ode to a Nightingale beneath one of the garden’s plum trees, but also fell madly in love with neighbor Fanny Brawne. And all before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 25. The magic figure at St Paul’s Cathedral is 259, the number of steps leading to the Whispering Gallery. Forming part of the 65,000 ton dome, it has the intriguing property of amplifying even the slightest sound around its walls. Couples who make here also get a close up with the focal point of Sir Christopher Wren’s original 17th-century structure. Check out London’s food scene Couples in London looking for a foodie treat are well catered for. The capital’s list of places to be wined and dined is a long one, meeting all tastes, budgets and dietary requirements. Though there may be more shared benches than tables for two, one of the newest kids on the block is Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey. A short walk from Tower Bridge, Venezuelan arepa share the space with Ethiopian wat and Chinese gyoza in a celebration of world cuisine. More traditional dining experiences still don’t have to cost the Earth. Home of the capital’s Bengali community, Brick Lane is the cherry on top of the cake of London’s love-affair with curry. Even so, prices are a fraction of those charged by celebrity chefs and London’s 60 or so Michelin-starred restaurants. If you abide by the idea that couples which drink together stay together, look no further than a cocktail-making class. Guided by the skilled hands of a professional mixologist, you’ll get to create a perfectly-balanced Old Fashioned, Dark and Stormy or Cosmopolitan. Alternatively, you could go one step better and take a tour of the Beefeater gin distillery, revealing just some of what goes into making the spirit so popular with bartenders across the city. Enjoy views of the Thames Even dirty old rivers – to steal a phrase from The Kinks’ 1960s classic Waterloo Sunset – have a certain innate romance. Take to its banks pretty much anywhere along its 215 mile course, and you’ll have to agree the Thames is no different. Actually one of the cleanest rivers in the world, it’s further reaches are home to otters, dolphins and seals in addition to landmarks known the world over. What’s more, there are several ways for couples in London to enjoy the majesty of the Thames. The classic way is to take to its waters, with river cruises slipping up and down stream between Westminster and Greenwich. When it comes to timing, sunset is difficult to beat, and is known as the golden hour for taking in the city’s panoramas. Boarding a Thames cruiser isn’t the only way to fully-appreciate the capital’s lifeblood. A completely different perspective is offered from a gondola of London’s first cable car, the Emirates Air Line, connecting the two sides of the river via a journey which takes in the entire Greenwich Peninsula. At dusk the journey is extended, so you have even more time to admire the panoply of sights below you. Climb the O2 Arena and the only thing immediately beneath your feet will be its white canopy. However, to either side of the walkway hanging 50 meters above the ground, the river unravels in all its glory in either direction. Take in a show William Shakespeare’s words have echoed through the centuries. Where better to relive the romance of Romeo and Juliet or Anthony and Cleopatra, or the bromance of Prince Hal and Falstaff in Henry IV than Shakespeare’s Globe? Outside of performances, tours detail some of the theater’s most captivating tales, such as the time an audience member’s breeches burst into flames alongside the original playhouse. Meanwhile, the velvet-clad seats of Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House is the foremost destination for opera and ballet. The West End has shows to suit any couple, with contemporary playwriting, musicals and classic plays all fighting for attention. When it comes to foot-tapping fun, there are venues large and small where it’s possible to let your hair down. They include the likes of the Sky Garden, hosting regular concerts to continue the traditions of the capital’s legendary music industry, which has given voice to everyone from David Bowie to Amy Winehouse. London’s Madame Tussauds – the first wax works to hold the name – is a great option for couples in need of a rainy-day activity. It’s array of famous faces from British history and worldwide popular culture are one way to get close to your idols. Movie lovers also have the option of taking in a multitude of sites forming backdrops to some of the silver screen’s best-known scenes including the James Bond franchise, Paddington and Bridget Jones’s Diary. Save on things to do in London for couples Reserve your hard-earned cash for spoiling your significant other by saving on London attraction admission and exploring more with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Ian Packham

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.