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London Museums and Galleries

London is one of Europe’s finest cities for Art and Culture and there’s something for everyone here. Not only that but there are many exhibitions and events running throughout the year. Many of the museums are located around the South Kensington making it easy to visit for the day.

Design Museum

Design Museum: [Shad Thames, 0870 9099009] One of the leading museums on modern and contemporary design. The Design Museum promotes up and coming artists and runs internationally acclaimed exhibitions on contemporary design including fashion, architecture, industrial design, graphics and multimedia. [Open daily from 10.00 to 17.45 ]
Website: Design Museum

The Tate Modern

The Tate Modern: [Bankside, 020 7887 8888 ] Located on the Thames in the Old Bank Side Power Station. The Tate holds the national collection of British art from 1500 and of international modern art. The Tate is a must see and best of all it's free - except for the special exhibitions. [Open Sun-Thurs 10.00-18.00 and Fri-Sat 10.00-22.00]
Website: The Tate Modern

The National Gallery

The National Gallery: [Trafalgar Square WC2] The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of European painting in the world from about 1250 to 1900. Works on display include those of Botticelli, Monet, Constable, Van Gogh and Rembrant. This fantastic gallery as with most galleries in London is free. [Quietest times are early week-day morning and 18.00 - 21.00 Wednesday]
Website: The National Gallery

National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery: [St Martin's Place WC2, 020 7312 2463] Over 10,000 portraits in the Primary collection presenting some of the most influential characters in British history portrayed by the finest artists of their generation. Works includes works by Holbein, Van Dyck & Reynolds, through Gainsborough, Millais & Tissot, to Cecil Beaton, David Bailey & Patrick Heron. Admission free. [Open daily 10.00 - 18.00 Late night opening Thursday and Friday until 21.00]
Website: National Portrait Gallery

Victoria and Albert Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum South Kensington: [Cromwell Road SW7, 020 7942 2000] Very impressive museum of art and design, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity. Discover 3000 years' worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world's richest cultures including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings. Admission free. [Open 10.00 to 17.45 daily 10.00 to 22.00 Wednesdays and the last Friday of the month Closed 24-26 December ]
Website: Victoria and Albert Museum

The Photographers Gallery

The Photographers Gallery: [5 & 8 Great Newport Street WC2, 020 7831 1772] The Photographers’ Gallery is one of the UK's primary venues for photography and an excellent place to check out some of the best photographic exhibitions in London for free. Established in 1971, the Gallery was the UK's first independent photographic gallery. [Open Mon to Sat 11:00 -18:00 Thu 11:00 - 20:00 Sun 12:00 - 18:00 ] Admission is free. [Tube: Leicester Square]
Website: The Photographers Gallery

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum: [Cromwell Road SW7, 020 7942 5000] The Natural History Museum first opened its doors to the public on Easter Monday in 1881, but its origins go back more than 250 years. Now they have collections covering microscopic slides to mammoth skeletons, the Natural Museum is home to the largest and most important natural history collection in the world. Admission free apart from some special exhibitions [Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 17:50 Sunday 11:00 - 17:50] Admission free. [Tube: South Kensington]
Website: Natural History Museum

The Science Museum

The Science Museum: [Exhibition Road SW7, 0870 870 4868] The Science Museum first opened it’s doors in 1857. Visitors can experience the major scientific advances of the past 300 years and there are over 40 galleries with the world's finest collections in science history technology and medicine from working steam engines to Apollo 10 and a IMAX 3D film theatre. The Science Museum holds the world's largest and most significant collection illustrating the history and contemporary practice of science, technology, medicine and industry. Admission free apart from special exhibitions. [Open 10.00 to 18.00 Mon - Sun. The Museum is closed from 24 to 26 December.] [Tube: South Kensington]
Website: London Science Museum