List of museums in London


This is a list of museums in London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. It also includes university and non-profit art galleries. As of 2016, there were over 250 registered art institutions in Greater London.

List of museums in London

NameImageDistrict/wardBoroughRegionTypeSummary
2 Willow RoadHampsteadCamdenNorthHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, modernist terrace house designed by Ernő Goldfinger, features a significant collection of 20th-century art
7 Hammersmith TerraceHammersmithHammersmith and FulhamWestHistoric houseFormer home of Emery Walker, friend and mentor to William Morris, house features Arts and Crafts style interior
18 Stafford TerraceHolland ParkKensington and ChelseaWestHistoric houseAlso known as Linley Sambourne House, home of the Victorian Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, features much of his work
575 Wandsworth RoadClaphamLambethSouthHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 18th century terrace house with interiors designed by Kenyan poet and civil servant Khadambi Asalache
All Hallows-by-the-Tower Crypt MuseumTowerCity of LondonNorth EastReligiousSaxon-period Anglican church, museum of church's history, including Roman and Saxon artefacts, historic religious artefacts
Anaesthesia Heritage CentreFitzroviaWestminsterNorthMedicalHistory of anaesthesia and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
Apsley HouseHyde Park CornerWestminsterNorthHistoric houseOperated by English Heritage, also known as Wellington Museum, home of The Duke of Wellington, significant collections of paintings, porcelain, sculpture and furniture
Arsenal Football Club MuseumHollowayIslingtonNorthSportsHistory and memorabilia of the Arsenal F.C.
Art in Perpetuity TrustDeptfordLewishamSouth EastArtContemporary visual art
artsdepotFinchleyBarnetNorthArtArts centre with exhibit gallery
Baden-Powell House ExhibitionSouth KensingtonKensington and ChelseaWestBiographicalHistory of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting
Bank of England MuseumCity of LondonCity of LondonNorth EastNumismaticHistory of the Bank and its activities, banknotes and coins, books and documents, pictures, furniture, statues, silver
Bankside GalleryBanksideSouthwarkSouth EastArtEducational charity, home to the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers
Banqueting House, WhitehallWhitehallWestminsterNorthHistoric house17th century ornate building used for entertaining, designed by Inigo Jones, only remaining component of the Palace of Whitehall
Barbican CentreBarbican EstateCity of LondonNorth EastArtArts centre and gallery
Barnet MuseumBarnetBarnetNorthLocalLocal history, costumes, domestic items, lace
Battle of Britain BunkerUxbridgeHillingdonWestHistoryMuseum and restored underground operations room at formerly used by No. 11 Group Fighter Command during World War II
Ben Uri Gallery, The London Jewish Museum of ArtSt John's WoodWestminsterNorthArtJewish art
Benjamin Franklin HouseWestminsterNorthHistoric house18th-century house where Benjamin Franklin lived for 16 years, exhibits on his life, science activities
Bentley Priory MuseumStanmoreHarrowWestHistoryMuseum in former officers' mess at former RAF base at Bentley Priory, used by the RAF Fighter Command and Royal Observer Corps during World War II, focuses on its role as Headquarters Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain
Black Cultural ArchivesBrixtonLambethSouthBlack historyBlack history museum and cultural space
Bethlem Museum of the MindBeckenhamBromleySouth EastMedicalArt by patients and historic artefacts of Bethlem Royal Hospital
Borough Road GallerySouthwarkSouth EastArtPart of London South Bank University, celebrates the artist David Bomberg and includes the Sarah Rose Collection of his pictures and those of other artists in the Borough Group
Boston Manor HouseBoston ManorHounslowWestHistoric house17th century Jacobean manor house
Brent MuseumWillesdenBrentWestLocalLocated in the Willesden Green Library Centre, local history and culture; formerly the Grange Museum of Community History-
British Airways Heritage CentreHattonHounslowWestAviationHistory and memorabilia of British Airways, including uniforms, aircraft models and pictures, posters and photographs
British Dental Association MuseumWestminsterNorthMedicalHistory of dental care in the United Kingdom
British LibrarySt PancrasCamdenNorthLibraryChanging exhibits of art, history and culture from its collections
British MuseumBloomsburyCamdenNorthMultipleArt, decorative arts, archaeology, antiquities from Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece and the Middle East, coins, galleries on Africa, North America, Mexico, Asia
British Optical Association MuseumCharing CrossWestminsterNorthMedicalHistory of eye care
British Red Cross Museum and ArchivesMoorgateCity of LondonNorth EastMedicalHistory and memorabilia of the British Red Cross, open by appointment only
Brixton WindmillBrixtonLambethSouthLocalEarly 19th century windmill; interior open selected days only
Bromley MuseumOrpingtonBromleySouth EastLocalLocal history and culture
Bruce Castle MuseumTottenhamHaringeyNorthLocalLocal history, culture
Brunei GalleryBloomsburyCamdenNorthArtPart of the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, historic and contemporary works from and about Africa and Asia, including photography and culture
Brunel MuseumRotherhitheSouthwarkSouth EastTechnologyHistory of the construction of the Thames Tunnel and its designers, Sir Marc Isambard Brunel
Buckingham PalaceWestminsterNorthHistoric houseOfficial London residence of the British monarch, public tours of the state rooms, includes Queen's Gallery and Royal Mews during summer only
The Building CentreBloomsburyCamdenNorthDesignExhibits on architecture and design
Burgh House & Hampstead MuseumHampsteadCamdenNorthLocalLocal history, culture, art exhibits
Calvert 22ShoreditchHackneyNorthArtRussian and East European contemporary art
Camden Arts CentreHampsteadCamdenNorthArtChanging exhibits of contemporary art
Campbell WorksStoke NewingtonHackneyEastgalleryIt runs a programme of contemporary art exhibitions, public engagement projects, publications and education schemes.
Canada House GalleryTrafalgar SquareWestminsterNorthArtCanadian historical and contemporary art and artefacts
Carlyle's HouseChelseaKensington and ChelseaWestHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, Queen Anne early eighteenth century townhouse, home of Victorian historian and philosopher Thomas Carlyle
Cartoon MuseumFitzroviaCamdenNorthArtPolitical cartoons, comic strips and comic books
Centre for Recent DrawingIslingtonNorthArtContemporary drawings
Charles Dickens MuseumHolbornCamdenNorthHistoric houseMid-19th century period house with original papers, furniture and items relating to author Charles Dickens
Chelsea Physic GardenChelseaKensington and ChelseaWestMedicalBotanical garden with displays on medicinal uses of plants
Chisenhale GalleryTower HamletsNorth EastArtNon-profit contemporary art gallery
Chiswick HouseChiswickHounslowWestHistoric house18th century neo-Palladian villa with large collection of art and furniture, gardens
Churchill War RoomsWhitehallWestminsterNorthMultipleIncludes the World War II-era underground Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum with exhibits about the life of British statesman Winston Churchill
City of London Police MuseumCity of LondonCity of LondonNorth EastLaw enforcementUniforms, Victorian-era police equipment, communications devices, famous murders, WWII display
Cinema MuseumLambethLambethSouth WestMediaHistory and artefacts of film making
Clarence HousePall MallWestminsterNorthHistoric houseOfficial residence of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
Clink Prison MuseumSouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastPrisonSite and history of the notorious prison in use from the 12th century to 1780
Courtauld GalleryStrandWestminsterNorthArtPart of the University of London, located in Somerset House, features Old Masters and Impressionist paintings
Crime MuseumWestminsterNorthLaw enforcementHistory, artefacts and crime memorabilia of Scotland Yard, not open to the public
Crofton Roman VillaOrpingtonBromleySouth EastArchaeologyRemains of a Roman villa
Crossness Pumping StationCrossnessBexleySouth EastTechnologyVictorian sewage pumping station with preserved steam engines
Crystal Palace MuseumCrystal PalaceBromleySouth EastHistoryHistory and memorabilia of The Crystal Palace
Cubitt GalleryFinsburyIslingtonNorthArt
Cuming MuseumWalworthSouthwarkSouth EastLocalLocal history, culture; small collection of Ancient Egyptian objects. Closed since March 2013 due to fire damage.
Cutty Sark MuseumGreenwichGreenwichSouth EastMaritimeMid-19th century clipper, museum ship
Danson HouseDanson ParkBexleySouth EastHistoric house18th century Georgian house
Dennis Severs' HouseSpitalfieldsTower HamletsNorth EastLivingEnactments of life in the 18th and 19th centuries
Design MuseumKensingtonKensington and ChelseaWestDesignProduct, industrial, graphic, fashion and architectural design
Dr Johnson's HouseCity of LondonCity of LondonNorth EastHistoric house18th-century townhouse home of 18th-century English writer Samuel Johnson
Dorich HouseKingston ValeKingston upon ThamesSouth WestArtFormer studio of the Estonian sculptor Dora Gordine, with a collection of her works and of Russian Imperial art. Part of Kingston University.
Down HouseDowneBromleySouth EastHistoric houseOperated by English Heritage, home of naturalist Charles Darwin where he wrote "On the Origin of Species"
Dulwich Picture GalleryDulwichSouthwarkSouth EastArtCollection of European Old Masters, mostly of the 17th and 18th centuries
Eastbury Manor HouseBarkingBarking and DagenhamNorth EastHistoric houseOwned by the National Trust, 16th century Tudor gentry house, local history displays
Eltham PalaceElthamGreenwichSouth EastHistoric houseOperated by English Heritage, 1930s Art Deco house with mediaeval Great Hall
Enfield MuseumEnfieldEnfieldNorthLocal historyLocal history
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian ArtCanonburyIslingtonNorthArtModern Italian art
Fan MuseumGreenwichGreenwichSouth EastFashionArt and craft of the fan
Faraday MuseumMayfairWestminsterNorthScienceLocated at the Royal Institution, scientist Michael Faraday's 19th century laboratory, activities and people associated with the Institution
Fashion and Textile MuseumBermondseySouthwarkSouth EastFashionFashions, textiles and jewellery, both historic and contemporary
Fenton HouseHampsteadCamdenNorthHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 17th century merchant's house, features collections of early keyboard instruments, paintings, porcelain, needlework pictures and Georgian furniture
Fleming MuseumPaddingtonWestminsterNorthMedicalLocated at St Mary's Hospital, London, site and history of Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin, 1928 period laboratory
Florence Nightingale MuseumLambethLambethSouth WestMedicalLife and nursing work of Florence Nightingale
Forty Hall MuseumForty HillEnfieldNorthMultipleLocal history, 17th and 18th century ceramics and pottery, 19th and 20th century china, glassware
Foundling MuseumBloomsburyCamdenNorthMultipleHistory of the Foundling Hospital, Britain's first home for abandoned children, art by many of Britain's most prominent 18th-century artists, 18th-century period rooms, room on composer George Frideric Handel and his connection to the hospital
Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and MuseumNorth FinchleyBarnetNorthCulturalCollection of material relating to the history of Belarus
Freud MuseumHampsteadCamdenNorthHistoric houseHome of Dr. Sigmund Freud, features his study, exhibits on his life and works, collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, contemporary art and Freud-themed exhibitions
Fulham PalaceFulhamHammersmith and FulhamWestHistoric houseMediaeval former residence of the Bishop of London, also art gallery
Fusiliers MuseumTower HillTower HamletsNorth EastMilitaryHistory of the Royal Fusiliers, uniforms, regalia, medals, weapons and memorabilia, located at the Tower of London
Galton CollectionBloomsburyCamdenNorthMedicalPart of the University College London, open by appointment only, scientific instruments, papers, and personal memorabilia of Sir Francis Galton
Garden MuseumLambethLambethSouth WestGardeningTools and artefacts related to ornamental gardening
Garrick's Temple to ShakespeareHamptonRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestBiographical18th century folly built by actor David Garrick to celebrate the genius of William Shakespeare, includes display on Garrick's life and acting career
Gasworks GalleryKenningtonLambethSouth WestArtContemporary art organisation with exhibition space and studios
Goldsmiths' CentreClerkenwellIslingtonNorthArtChanging exhibits of contemporary jewellery and silversmithing, operated by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Golden HindeBanksideSouthwarkSouth EastMaritimeReplica museum ship of the Golden Hind, the 16th century galleon used by Sir Francis Drake
Gordon Museum of PathologySouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastMedicalThe largest medical Museum in the United Kingdom, part of King's College London
Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative AnatomyBloomsburyCamdenNorthNatural historyPart of the University College London, skeletons, taxidermy, entomology and specimens preserved in fluid.
Greenwich Visitor CentreGreenwichGreenwichSouth EastHistoryAlso known as Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre, history of the World Heritage Site, its builders and buildings, maritime heritage, local history
Guards MuseumWestminsterNorthMilitaryHistory, artefacts and memorabilia of the five regiments of Foot Guards: the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards, and Welsh Guards
Guildhall Art GalleryBassishawCity of LondonNorth EastArtLocated in the Guildhall, collection includes art and cultural artefacts about London, Victorian-era works, remains of a Roman amphitheatre in the basement
Gunnersbury Park MuseumActonHounslowWestLocalLocal history of Hounslow and Ealing boroughs, archaeology, costume, fine art, ceramics, also Edwardian era kitchen rooms
Hackney MuseumHackneyHackneyNorthLocalLocal history and culture
Hall PlaceCrayfordBexleySouth EastHistoric house16th & 17th century former stately home, exhibits from the Bexley Museum's collections including art, social history, natural history, geology, archaeology, Ancient Egypt, costumes, furniture
Ham HouseHamRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 17th century grand house, fine interiors and historic gardens, collections of textiles and furniture
Hampton Court PalaceHamptonRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestHistoric houseFormer royal palace, King Henry VIII exhibition, Tudor kitchen, Tudor-period living history programmes, gardens, maze
Handel & Hendrix in LondonMayfairWestminsterNorthHistoric house
Museum dedicated to the lives and works of the baroque composer George Frideric Handel and the rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix, who lived in adjoining houses two centuries apart
Harrow MuseumHeadstoneHarrowWestLocalLocal history, industry, archaeology, also known as Headstone Manor Museum
Havering MuseumRomfordHaveringNorth EastLocal
Hayward GallerySouthbankLambethSouth WestArtPart of the Southbank Centre, contemporary art
Heath Robinson MuseumPinnerHarrowNorth WestBiographicalLife and work of cartoonist Heath Robinson
HMS BelfastSouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastMaritimeOperated by the Imperial War Museum, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser and served during the Second World War and Korean War
Hogarth's HouseChiswickHounslowWestHistoric houseHome of the 18th-century English artist William Hogarth
Honeywood MuseumCarshaltonSuttonSouth WestLocal17th-century house with details from different eras of ownership, local history exhibits
Honourable Artillery Company MuseumFinsburyIslingtonNorthMilitaryRegimental artefacts and memorabilia
Horniman MuseumForest HillLewishamSouth EastMultipleMusical instruments, art, natural history, anthropology, African arts and culture, aquarium, gardens
House of Dreams MuseumEast DulwichSouthwarkSouth EastArtHouse turned into outsider art sculpture by former textile designer and art director Steven Wright
House of IllustrationKings CrossCamdenNorthArtLocated at Granary Square, public gallery dedicated to illustration
Household Cavalry MuseumHorse Guards ParadeWestminsterNorthMilitaryRegimental artefacts and memorabilia of the Household Cavalry
House MillBromley-by-BowNewhamNorth EastMill18th–19th century tidal mill
Hunterian MuseumLincoln's Inn FieldsWestminsterNorthMedicalHunterian Collection of preserved anatomical specimens, history, artefacts and developments in surgery, part of the Royal College of Surgeons
ICANDOVictoriaWestminsterNorthScoutingFormerly the Girl Guide Heritage Centre, exhibits and activities about Girl Guides
Imperial War Museum LondonSouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastMilitaryWarfare in the 20th and 21st centuries
Inns of Court & City Yeomanry MuseumLincoln's InnCamdenNorthMilitaryRegimental history and artefacts of the Inns of Court & City Yeomanry
Institute of Archaeology CollectionsBloomsburyCamdenNorthArchaeologyPart of the University College London, open by appointment only, prehistoric ceramics and stone artefacts, Classical Greek and Roman ceramics
Institute of Contemporary ArtsThe MallWestminsterNorthArtMulti-disciplinary arts centre with exhibit galleries
Islington MuseumFinsburyIslingtonNorthLocalLocal history
Jack the Ripper MuseumTower HamletsNorth EastHistoryHistory of the East London in the 1880s, providing a serious examination of the crimes of Jack the Ripper within the social context of the period
Jewel TowerWestminsterWestminsterNorthHistoryOperated by English Heritage, one of only two surviving sections of the mediaeval royal Palace of Westminster, includes an exhibition on the history of Parliament and the building
Jewish Museum LondonCamden TownCamdenNorthEthnicJewish culture, heritage and traditions in Britain, ceremonial art collection
Keats HouseHampsteadCamdenNorthHistoric houseEarly 19th century home of Romantic poet John Keats
Kelmscott House MuseumHammersmithHammersmith and FulhamWestArtLondon home of William Morris, exhibits of his designs
Kennel Club Dog Art GalleryWestminsterNorthArtExhibits and collection of dog paintings, open by appointment
Kensington PalaceKensington GardensKensington and ChelseaWestHistoric houseRoyal residence
Kenwood HouseHampsteadCamdenNorthHistoric houseOperated by English Heritage, 17th century former stately home, interiors by Robert Adam, features collection of Old Master paintings
Kew GardensKewRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestMultipleIncludes Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Marianne North Gallery, exhibits on plants and conservation, Kew Palace
Kew PalaceKewRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestHistoric houseFormer royal palace located within the Kew Gardens
Kingston MuseumKingston upon ThamesKingston upon ThamesSouth WestLocalLocal history, Eadweard Muybridge gallery of photographs, exhibits of art, photography, culture
Kirkaldy Testing MuseumSouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastTechnologyMaterials testing machines used by engineer David Kirkaldy
L-13 Light Industrial WorkshopClerkenwellIslingtonNorthArtContemporary art space
Lambeth PalaceLambethLambethSouth WestHistoric houseTours of the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury on selected days only
Landmark Arts CentreTeddingtonRichmond upon ThamesWestArtArts centre with visual art gallery, located in the former St Alban's Church
Langdon Down Museum of Learning DisabilityTeddingtonRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestMedicalOperated by the Down's Syndrome Association in the Langdon Down Centre, history of treating people with learning disabilities
Lethaby GalleryKings CrossCamdenNorthArtLocated at Granary Square, art gallery of Central Saint Martins, features contemporary and historic works from its collections of art and design
Leighton House MuseumHolland ParkKensington and ChelseaWestArtVictorian house of painter Frederic, Lord Leighton, features paintings, sculpture, Middle Eastern tiles
Library and Museum of FreemasonryHolbornCamdenNorthMasonicLibrary, artefacts and regalia of Freemasonry
Little Holland HouseCarshaltonSuttonSouth WestHistoric houseArts and Crafts home of the artist Frank Dickinson with interior influenced by John Ruskin and William Morris
London Canal MuseumKings CrossIslingtonNorthTransportationHistory of London's canals
London Film MuseumCovent GardenWestminsterNorthMediaProps, costumes, sets and artefacts from British films, history of moviemaking
London Fire Brigade MuseumSouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastFirefightingOpen by appointment only, history of the London Fire Brigade, equipment, apparatus
London MithraeumCity of LondonCity of LondonCentralArchaeological siteRemains of a Roman temple to Mithras
London Motorcycle MuseumGreenfordEalingWestTransportationOver 150 classic and British motorcycles
London Museum of Water & SteamBrentfordHounslowWestTechnologyWater supply technology and a collection of water pumping steam engines, also operating narrow gauge railway; formerly the Kew Bridge Steam Museum
London Sewing Machine MuseumWimbledonMertonSouth WestTechnologyCollection of sewing machines
London Transport MuseumCovent GardenWestminsterNorthTransportationPublic transportation including the railway, underground, buses, memorabilia
London Transport Museum DepotActonEalingWestTransportationHouses the majority of the museum's collection, open day visits and tours
Madame Tussauds LondonWestminsterNorthWaxWax figures of celebrities in acting, music, politics, sports, history, royalty and fiction
Mall GalleriesTrafalgar SquareWestminsterNorthArtGallery exhibits of the Federation of British Artists
Magic Circle MuseumCamdenNorthMagicMagic tricks, props, posters, artefacts, open by appointment
Mansion HouseCity of LondonCity of LondonNorth EastHistoric houseGuided tours of the public rooms of the official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, includes city regalia, 17th Century Dutch and Flemish paintings, gold and silver plate collections; open on selected days only
Marble Hill HouseRichmondRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestHistoric houseOperated by English Heritage, 18th century Palladian villa with Georgian interior
Markfield Beam Engine and MuseumTottenhamHaringeyNorthTechnologyVictorian 100 horsepower beam pumping engine
MCC MuseumSt John's WoodWestminsterNorthSportsHistory and memorabilia of cricketing, located at Lord's Cricket Ground
Media SpaceSouth KensingtonKensington and ChelseaWestArtLocated on the second floor of the Science Museum, showcases the collection of the National Media Museum, explores relationships between, and lesser-known histories of, photography, science, art and technology
Merton Heritage CentreMordenMertonSouth WestLocalLocal history
MOCA, LondonPeckham RyeSouthwarkSouth EastContemporary ArtMuseum dedicated to Contemporary Art of varied media. Curated by Michael Petry
Morley GallerySouth BankLambethSouth WestArtPart of Morley College, exhibitions include painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, ceramics, textiles, installations, digital and sound art
Museum of Army MusicTwickenhamRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestMusicOpen Wednesday afternoons and by appointment, history of British military bands and music, includes musical instruments, banners, uniforms, paintings, model bands
Museum of Asian MusicActonEalingWestMusicMusical instruments, music extracts and video clips of music from across Asia
Museum of Brands, Packaging and AdvertisingNotting HillKensington and ChelseaWestMediaAdvertising, packaging and brand memorabilia and artefacts, including domestic products, packaging, posters, toys and games
Museum of ComedyBloomsburyCamdenNorthMediaLocated in the undercroft of St. George's, Bloomsbury, photos, posters, memorabilia, scrips, video and film about the history of British comedy
Museum of CroydonCroydonCroydonSouth WestLocalLocal history, culture, social history, Riesco Gallery with collections of Chinese pottery and ceramics, and Roman and Anglo-Saxon collections
Museum of Domestic Design and ArchitectureColindaleBarnetNorthArtOpen by appointment only, research museum of Middlesex University, 19th and 20th century decorative arts for the home including textiles and wallpaper
Museum of Immigration and DiversitySpitalfieldsTower HamletsNorth EastHistoryOpen selected days only
Museum of Life SciencesSouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastNatural historyHistoric biological and pharmaceutical collections, including skeletons, fluid-preserved material, taxidermy, and fossils; part of King's College London
Museum of LondonBarbican EstateCity of LondonNorth EastHistoryCity's history, culture, archaeology
Museum of London DocklandsIsle of DogsTower HamletsNorth EastMaritimeArea maritime, river and local history
Museum of RichmondRichmondRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestLocalLocal history, culture
Museum of the HomeShoreditchHackneyNorthArt and historic houseChanging style of the English domestic interior in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day. Also historic alms house. Formerly the Geffrye Museum.
Museum of the Order of St JohnClerkenwellIslingtonNorthMedicalHistory of the Order of St John and its medical care in the community
Museum of WimbledonWimbledonMertonSouth WestLocalLocal history, culture
Musical MuseumBrentfordHounslowWestMusicCollection of music boxes and automatic instruments
National Army MuseumChelseaKensington and ChelseaWestMilitaryHistory and artefacts of the British Army
National GalleryTrafalgar SquareWestminsterNorthArtNational collection of Western European painting from the 13th century to 1900
National Maritime MuseumGreenwichGreenwichSouth EastMaritimeHistory of Britain at sea, includes maritime art, ship models and plans, scientific and navigational instruments, instruments for time-keeping and astronomy. Incorporates Greenwich Observatory and the Queen's House.
National Portrait GalleryTrafalgar SquareWestminsterNorthArtPortraits of historically important and famous British people
Natural History MuseumSouth KensingtonKensington and ChelseaWestNatural historyAlso includes the Geological Museum, collections focus is botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology and zoology.
Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb GarretSouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastMedical19th century operating theatre, herb garret and museum of surgery
Old Royal Naval CollegeGreenwichGreenwichSouth EastHistoric site
Old Speech Room Gallery and Museum, Harrow SchoolHarrowHarrowWestArtEgyptian and Greek antiquities, English watercolours, Modern British paintings, sculpture, printed books and natural history
Orleans House GalleryTwickenhamRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestArtMunicipal art gallery, also the Stables Gallery
Osterley Park and HouseIsleworthHounslowWestHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, late 18th-century palace designed by Robert Adam, ornate interiors, gardens
Parasol unit foundation for contemporary artHackneyNorthArtExhibitions of works by international contemporary artists working in various media
Peckham PlatformSouthwarkSouth EastArtContemporary art
Petrie Museum of Egyptian ArchaeologyBloomsburyCamdenNorthArchaeologyArtifacts from Ancient Egypt, part of the University College London
The Photographers' GallerySohoWestminsterNorthArtPhotography
Pitzhanger ManorEalingEalingWestHistoric houseAlso known as PM Gallery and House, manor designed by architect John Soane with PM Gallery for contemporary art. After a 3-year restoration project Pitzhanger Manor will reopen on 16 March 2019.
Polish Institute and Sikorski MuseumSouth KensingtonWestminsterWestMilitaryContributions of the Polish Armed Forces in the West in World War II
Pollock's Toy MuseumFitzroviaCamdenNorthToyToys, games, dolls, puppets, folk toys
Postal MuseumClerkenwellIslingtonNorthPhilatelicPostal communications history, stamps, letters, artefacts
Pushkin HouseBloomsburyCamdenNorthArtRussian art and culture
Queen Charlotte's CottageKewRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestHistoric houseLocated within the Kew Gardens, 18th century rustic country retreat built for Queen Charlotte, open seasonally
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting LodgeChingfordWaltham ForestNorth EastHistoric houseTudor hunting lodge
Queen's GalleryWestminsterNorthArtExhibitions of items from the Royal Collection, located at Buckingham Palace
Queen's HouseGreenwichGreenwichSouth EastArtMarine art gallery of the National Maritime Museum
Ragged School MuseumTower HamletsNorth EastEducationHistory of the Victorian-era charity schools
Rainham HallRainhamHaveringNorth EastHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 18th-century Queen Anne house
Ranger's House GreenwichGreenwichSouth EastArtOperated by English Heritage, Georgian villa with fine and decorative art collection, including silver and jewels, paintings and porcelain
Red HouseBexleyheathBexleySouth EastHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 19th-century house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts Movement
Red Mansion FoundationPortland PlaceWestminsterNorthArtGallery exhibits of contemporary Chinese art
Redbridge MuseumIlfordRedbridgeNorth EastLocalLocal history, culture, located on the second floor of Ilford Central Library
RCM Museum of MusicSouth KensingtonKensington and ChelseaWestMusicMusical instruments, art, documents and accessories, part of the Royal College of Music
Riverside GalleryRichmondRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestArtMunicipal art gallery
Rivington PlaceShoreditchHackneyNorthArtInternational visual arts centre, home to InIVA and Autograph ABP
Rose Theatre ExhibitionBanksideSouthwarkSouth EastArchaeologyExcavations of an Elizabethan theatre
Royal Academy of ArtsPiccadillyWestminsterNorthArtLocated in Burlington House
Royal Academy of Music MuseumRegent's ParkWestminsterNorthMusicMusical instruments and artefacts of the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Air Force Museum LondonColindaleBarnetNorthAviationHistory of aviation and the British Royal Air Force
Royal Armouries, Tower of LondonTower HillTower HamletsNorth EastMilitaryArms and armour dating from the Middle Ages onwards
Royal College of Physicians MuseumRegent's ParkCamdenNorthMedicalPortraits, silver, medical instruments and artefacts
Royal Hospital Chelsea MuseumChelseaKensington and ChelseaWestMilitaryMilitary artefacts and memorabilia, items related to The Duke of Wellington
Royal London Hospital Archives and MuseumWhitechapelHackneyNorthMedicalHistory of the hospital and medical care in the East End
Royal MewsWestminsterNorthTransportationThe Queen's stables, features State vehicles including horse-drawn carriages and motor cars, and the Gold State Coach
Royal Observatory, GreenwichGreenwichGreenwichSouth EastHorologyPart of the National Maritime Museum, features astronomical and navigational tools, a planetarium
Royal Pharmaceutical Society MuseumLambethLambethSouth WestMedicalBritish pharmacy history, medicines and artefacts
Saatchi GalleryChelseaKensington and ChelseaWestArtContemporary art
SmithfieldCity of LondonNorth EastMedicalHistory of the hospital and its work, historic surgical instruments, sculpture, mediaeval archives, works of art including paintings by William Hogarth
Ludgate HillCity of LondonNorth EastReligiousAnglican cathedral with religious art, sculpture, architecture, tombs, decorative arts
Science Gallery LondonSouthwarkSouthwarkSouth EastScience and artExhibitions of art illuminating scientific topics
Science MuseumSouth KensingtonKensington and ChelseaWestScienceNational museum of science and technology, transportation, medicine, steam engines
Serpentine GalleriesKensington GardensWestminsterWestArtSerpentine Gallery and Serpentine Sackler Gallery in Kensington Gardens, exhibitions of contemporary art, architecture and design
Sherlock Holmes MuseumRegent's ParkWestminsterNorthBiographicalDedicated to the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes
Shirley WindmillShirleyCroydonSouth WestMillRestored mid-19th-century tower windmill
The ShowroomWestminsterNorthArtContemporary art gallery
Sir John Soane's MuseumHolbornCamdenNorthArtFine art, architecture, antiquities, sculpture
Somerset HouseStrandWestminsterNorthArtArts centre with gallery and Courtauld Gallery
Soseki Museum in LondonClaphamLambethSouth WestHistoric houseLondon home of Japanese author Natsume Sōseki
South London GalleryCamberwellSouthwarkSouth EastArtContemporary art
Southside HouseWimbledonMertonSouth WestHistoric house17th century period house
Spencer HouseSt James'sWestminsterNorthHistoric house18th-century mansion with restored state rooms and garden
Stephens CollectionFinchleyBarnetNorthBiographicalLife of Dr Henry Stephens, inventor of an indelible blue-black ink, and his son Henry Charles Stephens, their ink company and local history
Strawberry HillTwickenhamRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestHistoric houseGothic villa home of Horace Walpole
Studio VoltaireClaphamLambethSouthArtContemporary art
Sutton HouseHackneyHackneyNorthHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 16th century Tudor house
Syon HouseBrentfordHounslowWestHistoric houseFamily residence of the Duke of Northumberland, 18th-century house with interior by Robert Adam, collections of paintings and furniture, gardens, park
Tate BritainMillbankWestminsterNorthArtNational collection of historical and contemporary British art
Tate ModernBanksideSouthwarkSouth EastArtNational collection of modern art
Tower BridgeTower HamletsNorth EastTechnologySteam engines, workings of the bridge
Tower of LondonTower HillTower HamletsNorth EastMultipleHistoric fortress, prison and former royal residence, includes the Royal Armouries, Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, regimental museum of the Royal Fusiliers
Twinings MuseumStrandWestminsterNorthFoodHistory of Twinings, tea caddies and tea history
Twickenham MuseumTwickenhamRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestLocalLocal history
Two Temple PlaceWestminsterNorthArtLate Victorian mansion, now an art gallery to showcase publicly owned art from UK regional collections, only open during exhibitions
Type MuseumBrixtonLambethSouth WestMediaCollection of typesetting equipment and artefacts, currently not open to the public
UCL Art MuseumBloomsburyCamdenNorthArtPart of the University College London, exhibits in the Strang Print Room
UCL Geology CollectionsBloomsburyCamdenNorthNatural historyPart of the University College London, rocks, minerals, fossils on display in the Rock Room, limited opening hours
Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of NostalgiaUpminsterHaveringNorth EastHistoryArtefacts of rural domestic and agricultural life
Upminster WindmillUpminsterHaveringNorth EastMill19th century windmill, exhibits on its history
V&A Museum of ChildhoodBethnal GreenTower HamletsNorth EastToyToys, dolls, children's playtime and lives
Vagina MuseumCamdenCamdenNorthMuseumAims to celebrate female reproductive anatomy and challenge myths and misconceptions
Valence House MuseumDagenhamBarking and DagenhamNorth EastLocalLocal history, archaeology, maritime and fishing industry, art
Valentines MansionIlfordRedbridgeNorth EastHistoric houseCountry house with recreated Victorian kitchen and Georgian rooms, contemporary art exhibits, 18th-century gardens
Vestry House MuseumWalthamstowWaltham ForestNorth EastLocalLocal history, culture
Victoria and Albert MuseumSouth KensingtonKensington and ChelseaWestMultipleNational collection of applied arts, includes ceramics, glass, textiles, costumes, silver, ironwork, jewellery, furniture, mediaeval objects, sculpture, prints and printmaking, drawings and photographs, theatre and performing arts, Asian art and decorative arts, architecture
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural HistoryHackneyHackneyNorthMultipleIncludes natural and scientific curiosities, art, pop culture objects
Wallace CollectionMaryleboneWestminsterNorthArtOld masters and decorative arts
Walthamstow Pumphouse MuseumWalthamstowWaltham ForestNorth EastTransportationThe museum is due to become the Lea Valley Experience, pioneering achievements in road, rail, air and sea transport in the River Lea valley from the early 19th century.
Wandle Industrial MuseumMitchamMertonSouth WestIndustryIndustries along the River Wandle, including flour and textile mills
Wandsworth MuseumWandsworthWandsworthSouth WestLocalLocal history
Wellcome CollectionCamdenNorthMedicalMedical artefacts and original artworks exploring 'ideas about the connections between medicine, life and art', exhibits from the collections of the Wellcome Library
Wellington ArchHyde Park CornerWestminsterNorthHistoryTriumphal arch with exhibits about its history
Wesley's Chapel, Museum of Methodism and John Wesley's HouseIslingtonNorthReligiousHistory of Methodism from its founding by John Wesley to the present
Westminster Abbey MuseumWestminsterWestminsterNorthReligiousRoyal and other funeral effigies, religious artefacts
Westminster Dragoons MuseumFulhamHammersmith and FulhamWestMilitaryRegimental artefacts, regalia and memorabilia, collection currently in storage
White Lodge Museum and Ballet Resource CentreRichmondRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestBalletHistory of the Royal Ballet School, daily life of its students, history and development of Classical ballet, history of White Lodge, visits by appointment
Whitechapel GalleryWhitechapelTower HamletsNorth EastArtContemporary art
WhitehallCheamSuttonSouth WestHistoric houseTudor house with elements from different eras
Whitewebbs Museum of TransportCrews HillEnfieldNorthTransportationCars, trucks, motorcycles, model railway
Wiener LibraryBloomsburyCamdenNorthHistoryExhibits of art and history from its collections about the Holocaust and genocides around the world
William Morris GalleryWalthamstowWaltham ForestNorth EastArtArts and Crafts movement furniture, textiles, ceramics and glass
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis MuseumWimbledonMertonSouth WestSportsHistory of tennis
Wimbledon Windmill MuseumWimbledonMertonSouth WestMill19th century windmill, exhibits on its history and other windmills
World Rugby MuseumTwickenhamRichmond upon ThamesSouth WestSportsRugby union history and the England national rugby union team, players, memorabilia, history of Twickenham Stadium

Defunct museums

Visitor figures

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport publishes monthly visitor figures for the public sector museums and galleries which it sponsors, which include most of the leading museums in London.
The most popular London museum in the private sector is The Sherlock Holmes Museum.
The DCMS totals for the financial year to 31 March 2008 were as follows:
The majority of government-funded museums stopped charging admission fees in 2001 and, although this was challenged in 2007, this has remained the case. Following the removal of admission charges, attendances at London museums increased, with a large percentage of the 42 million annual visitors nationwide.