London’s cultural heritage shines through the many museums that dot the city.
With so many galleries, exhibits and collections to explore it’s difficult to narrow down which to see and where to start, because, let’s face it, time is precious and generally limited.
Keeping in mind, cultural references like contributions to world exploration, sports, science and such are on display everywhere in London, not just museums.
A Handy Journal for London Cultural Museums
Texans Touring LONDON is a travel guide, planner and bullet journal designed by a Texan, for Texans, and is the inspo for this blog series.
Exploring museums is only a fine pencil mark covered in this handy purse-sized tome.
Other practical topics covered are getting around to museums, finding accommodations near museums and British lingo that might bright meaning into focus while touring museums. And it’s available now when you click here!
London Museums: Prepare to be Amazed Series
Broken down by general specialty, such as London Cultural Museums, the Prepare to be Amazed series includes more than 20 London museums grouped with like collections that are super for Texans who are touring the town.
Many of the UK’s national museums charge no admission fee.
For each location mentioned in this post, you’ll find a link to the museum, street address, a description of the museum, days of the week they’re open, amenities such a gift shop or café and entry fees.
Wondering the criteria for making this list? Awesomeness and immersiveness of the experience. As well as location, collections, amenities and surroundings.
Use the provided links to get more details on hours and directions.
A variety of London Cultural Museums
LITERATURE
The British Library
[ bl.uk ]
96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
The British Library historic collection is easy to find, right inside the main door and next door to the gift shop.
Be prepared to be awed by handwritten lyrics of Beatles songs, a copy of the Magna Carta and drawings by Leonardo de Vinci.
Several cafés are located within the library and there’s a neat gift shop that was tended by a persnickety clerk during our visit.
Open daily.
Free admission.
Charles Dickens Museum
[ dickensmuseum.com ]
48-49 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX
Step back in time and wander the house that looks much as it would have looked when Charles Dickens lived there. You can take an interactive tour of rooms such as the author’s study and the dining room online before you go.
There is a Victorian gift shop and a café.
Hours are limited. Check before you go.
Tickets: £12.50 per adult, £7.50 children 6 to 16, under 6 free.
Sherlock Holmes Museum
[ sherlock-holmes.co.uk ]
221B Baker Street, Marylebone, London NW1 6XE
“Souvenirs, Books, Antiques and Curios” is written on the awning outside the Sherlock Holmes Museum. A London “Bobby” (no worries, the uniformed policeman is part of the ambiance) greets you upon arrive and your adventure through the Victorian setting and the infamous detective’s cases begins.
Gift shop.
Open daily.
Tickets: £16.00 per adult, £11.00 children 6 to 16, under 6 free.
MILITARY
Churchill War Rooms
[ iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms ]
Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AQ
Walk the top-secret corridors of Churchill War Rooms and glimpse what life would have been like during the tense days and nights of the Second World War. Award winning visitor experience that traces Winston Churchill‘s public life as prime minister and spotlights his service during WWII.
There is a gift shop and a café.
Open daily.
Tickets: £27.00 (members and under 5 free)
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NATURAL HISTORY
The Garden Museum
[ gardenmuseum.org.uk ]
Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7LB
The Garden Museum explores and celebrates the art, history and design of British gardens and their place in our lives today. Housed in the beautiful and deconsecrated church of St Mary-at-Lambeth, the collection houses artifacts and historical gardening tools, botanical art and covers topics of sustainability, food and plant science. Naturally, there are gardens to enjoy.
They also have a Medieval Tower to climb for breathtaking views of the River Thames and Westminster, including the House of Parliament. You can purchase a ticket for the tower separately, if you’re skipping the Garden Museum. Tower only tickets: £4.00 per person, under 18s free.
A lovely cafe and a bookshop.
Open daily.
Tickets: £14.00 per adult, £8.00 for children 7 to 18, children 6 and under free (other options apply).
Note: this is a cash-free establishment. Cards only.
The Natural History Museum
[ nhm.ac.uk ]
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
London’s Natural History Museum is a treat. The collection of dinosaur fossils, gems and rocks, plant specimen are amazing, but the building won my heart.
T.rex Restaurant is geared toward kids or there’s 3 other cafes in the museum and a picnic area. The gift shop is fun.
Open daily.
Free admission.
SCIENCE
The Science Museum
[ sciencemuseum.org.uk ]
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Located near the Natural History Museum, you’ll find London’s Science Museum. Like the scientific method itself, this museum is well thought out and organized to the 10th degree.
They have several cafes and picnic areas; additionally, there is a gift shop with a sustainability program that recommends bringing your own tote bag, since they no longer provide plastic.
Open daily.
Free admission.
LONDON’S CULTURAL MUSEUMS OF SPORTS
Arsenal Museum and Emirates Stadium Tour
[ arsenaldirect.arsenal.com/arsenal-museum ]
Emirates Stadium, Hornsey Road, London N7 7AJ
The Arsenal Football Club is a Premier league, English professional soccer team. On display at the Arsenal Museum you’ll find memorabilia from the club’s long winning history and videos documenting said winning history.
There is a crazy array of Arsenal gear to purchase.
Open daily.
Stadium tour tickets include entry to the museum. Tickets: £30.00 per person, £15.00 Match Day tour per person, £325.00 VIP Legend Experience.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
[ wimbledon.com ]
Church Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5AE
Tracing tennis’ history and the history of The Championship, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and Tour gives fans a glimpse into the fashion and equipment trends of the sport with clothes and such donated by top players. Also, there’s a new interactive gallery that explores the Open Era.
Cafe and shop.
Open daily.
Tickets: Tour and museum £25.00 adult, £15.00 per child 5 to 16; Museum only £13.00 per adult, £8.00 for children 5 to 16, children under 5 free.
Have a blast perusing London’s cultural museum collections, eating at themed restaurants, shopping in lovely gift shops and expanding what you know.
If you have a favorite London art museum I forgot to mention, please share it in the comments.
Cheerio, y’all!
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