13 free museums and galleries to enjoy in London

08.11.2024 - 17:05 / lonelyplanet.com / Tracey Emin / David Hockney

Nov 8, 2024 • 7 min read

London is home to some of the world’s greatest museums, whether you’re looking for giant whale skeletons, classical sculptures or ground-breaking fashion. 

Better still, many are completely free to visit — although venues may charge a fee for special exhibitions, you can spend hours admiring the permanent collections at no cost. 

From the top attractions to lesser-known gems, we’ve rounded up 13 of the best free museums and galleries in London.

Step through the porticoed entrance of this grand neoclassical building in Millbank and find yourself immersed in more than 500 years of British art. There are historic paintings by William Blake, Mary Beale and John Singer Sergeant, as well as modern classics from the likes of David Hockney and Tracey Emin. Tate Britain also holds the world’s largest collection of works by JMW Turner.

The Tate Modern’s dramatic Turbine Hall is a must-visit in itself, but the works on view will wow any lover of modern art. Sculptures, paintings, films and large-scale installations are presented across the six-floor Natalie Bell building and the 10-storey Blavatnik building, which has a viewing deck on its top level granting a panoramic view of the city.

Planning tip: Many galleries run after-hours openings, and the Tate does them better than most. Tate Lates take place on the last Friday of each month, with a program of artist-led workshops, DJ sets, talks and performances until 10pm.

The former home of eccentric architect John Soane has been preserved as a truly unique museum. The rooms are dimly lit and often narrow, cramped with curiosities, which lends the space a mysterious atmosphere. In one room, you’ll find masterworks by Hogarth and Canaletto; in another, the sarcophagus of an Egyptian pharaoh, or a sprawling model of Pompeii made from cork. There are few labels identifying each object, but don’t be shy about asking the friendly staff for more details.

Occupying a commanding position over Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is home to a diverse collection spanning 700 years of Western European art. Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, and Georges Seurat’s Bathers at Asnières are among the highlights, but you can explore more than 2,600 paintings, beginning in the early medieval period through Renaissance Italy, the Dutch masters and French Impressionism.

Planning tip: The vast collection can be overwhelming, so allow an expert guide to lead you on a free 60-minute taster tour, available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

Next to the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery houses 11,000 paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures and drawings of people who made notable contributions to British history. It’s said to be