London is home to some of the world’s most iconic museums and galleries, and what’s exciting is that many of them are free to visit! Whether you’re interested in immersing yourself in extraordinary art, world history, fossils and specimens, or the culture and evolution of life on earth, London’s unrivalled museum scene offers it all. If you’re planning a holiday in London, book a luxurious, amenity-rich stay with the Queens Park Hotel Bayswater, nestled in the heart of the city, only a short commute from the city’s best museums and galleries.
British Museum
The British Museum is one of London’s top free museums and galleries, and for good reason. Founded in 1753, it is the world’s first public museum of its kind and houses a vast collection spanning over two million years of human history.
Explore the iconic British Museum, moments away from your conveniently located accommodation near Hyde Park and find cultural treasures from all over the globe, both ancient and modern. Highlights of its spectacular collection include Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Sculptures, and artefacts from Africa, China, Roman Britain, and Medieval Europe. The museum’s 60 free galleries are centred around the magnificent Great Court. In addition to its permanent collection, the British Museum also hosts regular exhibitions focused on people, places, stories from the past, and key themes for the present and future.
National Portrait Gallery
After a three-year renovation, the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) has finally reopened its doors to the public. A free-to-explore museum featuring over 2,20,000 amazing portraits, the NPG has something to offer everyone, from oil paintings of stiff-backed royals to photos of football stars and glorious political caricatures. Make sure to look for portraits of Tudor and Stuart royals and notables, Georgian writers and artists, Regency greats, military men such as Wellington and Nelson, as well as Byron, Wordsworth, and other Romantics.
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
The Victoria and Albert Museum, or V&A, is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, with a collection that spans over 5,000 years! At V&A, you can find the best of art and design on display, from ancient Egyptian pottery to contemporary fashion. The museum’s collection includes works from many of the world’s richest cultures, including China, India, Japan, and the Islamic world. Some unmissable highlights of the museum are its British galleries, jewellery galleries and the Raphael Cartoons. And guess what? You can experience it all for free! So, start your day with a hearty breakfast near Paddington Station, and head to V & A for a great start to the day.
Tate Modern
Tate Modern is Britain’s world-renowned national museum of modern and contemporary art and one of the most popular free museums in London. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames, the museum’s awe-inspiring Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building and features large-scale installations by world-renowned artists.
You can also find a wide range of other artworks on display in the museum’s galleries that you can explore for free, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and immersive video installations. Some of the artists whose work you can immerse yourself in at Tate Modern include Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol, and Bourgeois.
These world-class, free museums and galleries in London are a great addition to your London trip. All you need to do is look out for offers on your central London hotel and make a booking ASAP!
