British Museum - Getting here Getting here The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG Transport for London Journey Planner Please note that tour groups must use the King Edward entrance on Montague Place, WC1E 7JW. By Tube Buses that stop near the Museum: 1, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 98, 242 Stop on New Oxford Street 10, 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, 390 Stop northbound on Tottenham Court Road, southbound on Gower Street 59, 68, X68, 91, 168, 188 Stop on Southampton Row Transport for London: cycling information Santander Cycle Hire The nearest docking station is just outside the Museum gates, on the corner of Great Russell Street and Montague Street. About the Congestion Charge Parking There is little on-street parking available. The nearest car park to the Museum is located at Bloomsbury Square, WC1A 2RJ.

Website for Bloomsbury Square car park Disabled parking There is limited parking in the Museum's forecourt for disabled visitors only. To make arrangements please telephone +44 (0)20 7323 8299 at least 24 hours in advance. You will be asked to provide the registration number, make and model of your vehicle and the date of your visit. Groups Entering the Museum Groups of 10 people or more must use the King Edward entrance on Montague Place, postcode WC1E 7JW . Groups must also book their visit at least seven days in advance. The British Museum The British Museum ? by Barbara Ballard Located in the Bloomsbury area of London, the British Museum is the location of a national collection of science and art treasures. It first began in 1753 when Parliament purchased the collection of Sir Hans Sloane (the Cabinet of Curiosities) and a collection from Sir Robert Cotton along with Sir Robert Harley's Library. First opened to the public in 1759 in Montague House, it was later moved to its present location, being built in stages from 1823.

The famous domed Reading Room was built in 1857 and is now part of the glassed-in Great Court. The British Museum entrance The British Museum's mandate is "to illuminate the histories of cultures for the benefit of present and future generations". Thus, the number and subject of the exhibits and galleries is vast. Ranging from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and back to pre-historic times, they highlight more than just Britain. A visit to the Museum is a visit through the centuries of mankind and what he has left behind of himself. The British collections trace the history of Britain and cover prehistoric times, Roman Britain, medieval and later Britain, and Graphic Arts. One of the highlights of the pre-historic era is the preserved body of Lindow Man, dated the mid-1st century AD. The Stone Age collections include works of art and jewellery dating from 35,000 to 10,000 years ago. Roman Britain is typified by early Christian objects and collections of Roman coins.

The history of the Roman Empire and society in Europe is included in such famous objects as the Portland vase, made of cameo-glass and dating from BC 1-AD 1. 4th to 20th century European art and archaeology collections illustrate cultures of the time and include Anglo-Saxon antiquities and medieval pottery. Items from the famous Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo burial are of particular interest. Sutton Hoo, located in East Suffolk, contained 11 barrows and the remains of a Saxon ship complete with gold and silver treasures. British prints, drawings, and watercolours of the 16th century to the present are amassed in a large collection and include works by Constable and Turner. There are more than 3,000,000 prints and drawings dating from the 15th century kept in storage. A large reference library is a bonus. A coin collection includes a silver penny of Offa, King of Mercia. The Museum has more than 7000 items in its clock, watch, and scientific instrument collection. European collections from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Early Celtic civilizations are represented.

Some of those of note are the BC 750-450 finds from the cemetery at Hallstatt, Austria and BC 400 flagons from Lorraine in France. Gold, jewels, glass, and porcelain all document the wealth of civilizations. Greek collections begin at the Bronze Age. Included are sculptures from the mausoleum at Halikarnassos. Possibly the most well known Greek sculptures are the Elgin collection, named after the 7th earl of Elgin who brought them from the Parthenon in Athens. They include pediments, metopes, and friezes. The Museum can boast of the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world outside of the Cairo museum. They range from the pre-dynastic period to the Christian period and include a famous collection of mummies and coffins, jewelry, weapons, furniture, and tools. The Rosetta Stone is perhaps the most famous of all the Egyptian artefacts. It is a basalt slab with identical texts in hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek, thus unlocking the key to Egyptian hieroglyphic translation. African collections encompass sculpture, textiles, graphic arts, and money.

Near Eastern collections cover Mesopotamia, the Phoenician world, the Arabian Peninsula, and Central Asia and are some of the most inclusive collections in the world. Aboriginal art, tools, and weapons are part of the section on Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Perhaps the most famous object is the great statue, Hoa Hakananai'a, from Easter Island. The Department of Oriental Antiquities curates Asian material reaching back 9000 years. Sculpture from India, Chinese porcelain, bronze, and jade, and Islamic pottery (one of the world's best collections) and tiles are just a small part of the vast number of items on display. 16th century Vietnamese trade ceramics, salvaged from the seabed, are one of the department's recent acquisitions. Japanese swords, armour, metalwork, and art reflect their culture. Today the British Museum contains one of the most comprehensive collections of art and artifacts in the world. Admission: Free; charge for special exhibitions About British Museum Main Entrance on Great Russell Street - Picture of British Museum, London - TripAdvisor Want the lowest hotel prices? You're in the right place. We check 200+ sites for you.

Main Entrance on Great Russell Street - Picture of British Museum, London Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, England Recommended length of visit: 2-3 hours Fee: No A museum of the world, for the world. Discover over two million years... read more A museum of the world, for the world. Discover over two million years of human history and culture. Some of the world-famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies. Book In Advance British Museum Highlights Tour in London including the Rosetta Stone See All Tours on Viator Other Recent Reviews “Excellent view of colonial Britain” Reviewed 18 October 2015 I enjoyed my trip to the British Museum, although being of African descent there's always something strange about seeing African relics displayed in European museums. It's not so much the displays, but the lack of historical accuracy on how most of the objets d'art were obtained in the first place. That said, the British have done an excellent job of... More Helpful? © 2017 TripAdvisor LLC All rights reserved. TripAdvisor Terms of Use , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy .

* TripAdvisor LLC is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... (more) TripAdvisor LLC is not responsible for content on external web sites. Taxes, fees not included for deals content. TripAdvisor uses cookies to improve your site experience. Learn more or change your settings. By continuing, you consent to our cookies. London museums - London museums information London museums Readers information The British Museum - This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London with millions of people visiting the museum each year. It is located on the Great Russell Street, London, WC1 and you can reach it by taking the Tube to Russell Square. You will find almost everything under one roof starting with collections from Egypt, Greek and Roman art, China, old Mesopotamia, Antiques, coins and medals, Prints and drawings, Renaissance and Anglo-Saxon Britain, etc. The sheer size of the museum (2,5 miles of galleries) suggests to you, to wear a good pair of walking shoes and be prepared to spend most of the day there. Whatever your cup of tea is you will have a memorable day out. Open from: Mon-sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-6pm.

Tel: 0207 323 8000. Exhibitions info | Map Churchill War Rooms - Visit the highly interactive and innovative Churchill Museum, the world's first major museum dedicated to life of the 'greatest Briton', plus the secret underground headquarters that were the nerve centre of Britain's war effort. Situated at Clive Steps, King Charles Street London, SW1A 2AQ. Tel: 020 7930 6961. Textphone: 020 7839 4906. Exhibitions info | Map The Clockmaker`s Museum - It is to be found at Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London EC2P 2EJ and is open from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) from 9.30am until 4.30pm. Entry is free, via the historic Guildhall Yard. Its collection is the property of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and is run by its educational charity. It was founded in 1813 and has been open to the public since 1873.

The museum has recently been entirely reconstructed to tell the story of the "Clockmakers of London". It is a priceless collection of clocks, watches, portraits and tools. The most famous single item is John Harrison's 5th Marine Timekeeper, familiar to visitors from around the world because of Dava Sobel's astonishingly successful book, "Longitude". Around Guildhall Yard is grouped the Clock Museum, Guildhall Library (which holds regular temporary exhibitions), the Mediaeval Guildhall and its crypt, Guildhall Art Gallery, the recently discovered east gate to the Roman Amphitheatre and the Wren church of St. Lawrence Jewry, so there is much to see in the immediate vicinity. Map The Design Museum - The stylish white edifice is the perfect showcase for an unpretentious display of design products ranging from classic cars to home utensils. Whilst first floor `Review Gallery` acts as a host for new ideas and temporary exhibitions, the top floor `Collections Gallery` is constantly evolving. To replenish your body energy please go to Conran restaurant located on top floor. Shad Thames, London SE1, Tower Hill or Bermondsey tube station.

Exhibitions info | Map The Firepower - The Royal Artillery Museum - Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich tells the powerful and dramatic story of artillery, scientific discoveries made through warfare and human stories of courage and endeavour. The ‘ground shaking' Field of Fire audio-visual show puts you in the midst of battle as shells whiz overhead and guns roar. Exhibitions info | Map The Florence Nightingale Museum - Florence Nightingale was a legend in her lifetime but the Crimean War years which made her famous were just two out of a life of ninety years. If you want to find out more than please visit this museum. Exhibitions info | Map The Foundling Museum - This museum tells the story of the 18th Century Foundling Hospital, and of its Founders and Governors: the campaigning philanthropist Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel. A significant collection of works by the hospital's early artist supporters including Gainsborough and Reynolds are displayed in interiors preserved from the original Foundling Hospital. The Foundling Hospital was established at a time when there was scant provision for societys vulnerable.

The Museum traces the history of Londons first childrens charity and features many poignant objects of social history including personal mementoes left by mothers with their infants as means of their identification. The Museums top floor houses the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, one of the most important collections of memorabilia relating to the composer, who himself was a Governor of the Foundling Hospital. Exhibitions info | Map The Geffrye Museum - This museum presents the changing style of English middle-class interiors from 1600 to the present day through a series of period rooms. It is set in elegant 18th- century almshouses with attractive gardens, including an award-winning herb garden and a series of period gardens (open Apr to Oct). An imaginative education programme for children, families and adults is run throughout the year. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm, and Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays from Noon - 5.00pm. Free Admission. Tel: 020 7739 9893.

Exhibitions info | Map The Handel House Museum - The great baroque composer George Frideric Handel lived at 25 Brook Street from 1723 until his death in 1759. Here he composed famous works such as Messiah, Zadok the Priest and Music for the Royal Fireworks. Today Handel House Museum is a beautifully restored historic house, live music venue and museum offering an insight into Handels life, 18th-century music and culture. Throughout the House, paintings and prints of Handel and his contemporaries provide a backdrop to Handels life in London. Today, the House is alive with music as it was during Handels residence, a special experience for all visitors. There are weekly Thursday evening recitals, events at the weekend and family trails, quizzes and activities. Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Thursday 10am  8pm; Sunday 12pm  6pm (last admission half an hour before closing) Admission prices: £5 adult, £4.50 concession; £2 child or FREE on Saturdays.

Handel House Museum, 25 Brook Street, London, W1K (entrance around the back in Lancashire Court). Exhibitions info | Map The Horniman Museum - Conveniently located, a 13-minute train ride from London Bridge station to Forest Hill is followed by a five-minute walk to the Museum. Also, there is now direct access to the beautiful gardens via a new main entrance - the 16 acres host events throughout the year and have spectacular views over the London skyline. On entering the development, which doubles the existing public space of the museum, you are struck by a feeling of light and space. This now serves as the main entrance, with a wonderful café with barrel vaulted ceiling echoing the original building, and a brand new shop. At the heart of the new building is the central orientation area - 'Gallery Square'. A balcony overlooks the lower ground floor, and from here visitors can access any part of the Horniman. An expanse of glass on one side forms a magnificent picture window and offers views onto Frederick Horniman's 1894 conservatory (Grade ii listed), and the Gardens.

Also on this level is the Museum's new education centre which can be configured to accommodate a classroom, a craft space and lunch area for schools, as well as evening classes for adults. Around the balcony is the new "Hands on Base", housing the Museum's prestigious handling collection. Comprising 3,700 objects, especially procured to represent the Museum's three main collections of music instruments, natural history and ethnography, the collection has become an important learning tool for the Horniman's diverse visitor mix including families and community groups, highlighting the many environments and cultures represented by the Museum's varied collections. Exhibitions info | Map The Imperial War Museum - Based in south London with connection of Elephant & Castle, Lambeth North or Waterloo tube line it holds a variety of militaristic display of weapons. From the trenches of WWI and Blitz campaign on London it will try to represent statistics of war and casualties of such things. There is a section of Secret War Gallery that is not so enlightening. Interesting thing about this museum is that the building itself was until 1930 a lunatic asylum that confined Charlie Chaplin`s mother.

Open from: daily 10am-6pm.Tel: 0207 416 5000. Exhibitions info | Map Kew Bridge Steam Museum - Built in the 19th century to supply London with water, the museum is recognised as the most important historic site of the water supply industry in Britain. This museum contains the world's largest collection of steam pumping engines, many of which you can see working every weekend. The museum is open from 11.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. They are closed on Mondays, except Bank Holidays. Last admission at 4.15pm. Exhibitions info | Map The London Motor Museum - Featuring a showroom full of classic cars from the 1950s to the present day the London Motor Museum charts the recent history of the moving vehicle. Cars include pimped up rides from the States and luxury brands from Europe. A Louis Vuitton Cadillac Deville is parked up alongside a Lincoln Continental Lowrider and there are plenty of deluxe names like Aston Martin, Ferrari and Jaguar.

If you book in advance you can even have a ride in a pink Cadillac or a Pontiac 79 Trans Am muscle car. London Motor Museum, 3 Nestles Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 4SB. Tel: 0800 195 0777. | Map The London Transport Museum - Makes an interesting place to visit and compare transport from the past and learn facts about today's speed of travel in central London that is only 10 miles per hour. That alone tells you about congestion we experience on daily basis travelling trough London. Plenty of old trains, trams and buses make this exhibition and for those with children there is a chance to hop on and off some buses. Open from: Mon-Thurs, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm, Fri 11am-6pm. Tel: 0207 836 8557. Exhibitions info | Map The Museum in Docklands - London's newest museum unlocks the history of London's river, port and people in an early nineteenth century warehouse at West India Quay.

Originally used to house imports of exotic spices, rum and cotton, it now holds a wealth of objects from enormous whale bones to WWII gas masks, which provide glimpses of lost and almost forgotten worlds. Here you can encounter the wide array of people that have come and gone from the Docks over the last 2000 years, from its Roman founders to Viking invaders and from gentleman pirates to today's city workers. The state of the art galleries include a dedicated space for children, called the Mudlarks Gallery. This fully interactive play and learning area introduces kids between 5 and 12 to the history of Docklands. They can winch and weigh cargoes, get a divers eye view of work under water, balance the cargo in the hold of a nineteenth century clipper, and discover archaeological finds in the foreshore discovery box. Museum of Docklands is located at No. 1 Warehouse West India Quay, Hertsmere Road E14. Travel by DLR to West India Quay. Children go free. Exhibitions info | Map The Museum of Childhood Bethnal Green - The Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green contains one of the largest and oldest collections of toys and childhood artefacts in the world.

As well as its permanent displays, the Museum has temporary exhibitions, gallery play areas and every weekend, has art activities for children aged 5+ and soft play for under fives, with additional activities during school holidays. It also has a souvenir shop, a café, children's birthday party and corporate hire facilities, and a garden with picnic tables. The collection, which dates from the sixteenth century to the present day is permanently on display to visitors, comprises dolls, dolls' houses, teddy bears, toy soldiers, train sets, model cars, puppets, rocking horses, board games, and some of the very first jigsaw puzzles ever made. In addition to its toys, the Museum houses the national collection of children's costume. The upper gallery is devoted to the theme of growing up through the ages. With its unique display of baby equipment, nursery furniture and children's costume, the gallery explores the experience of childhood, from birth to adolescence. Open: 10.00 - 17.50. Closed: Fridays, 24 - 26 December and 1 January. Admission free. Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA.

Exhibitions info | Map The Museum of Garden History - Situated in the restored church of St. Mary-at-Lambeth, adjacent to Lambeth Palace on the banks of the River Thames, the Museum of Garden History provides an insight into the history and development of gardens and gardening in the UK, an important facet in our social history. The Museum houses one of the finest public displays of garden tools and garden related artefacts and curiosities in the country, as well as an intriguing collection of garden related ephemera. In addition, a beautiful reproduction 17th century knot garden filled with flowers and shrubs of the period has been created in the graveyard around the tombs of the famous 17th century plant hunters, the John Tradescants, father and son, and Captain William Bligh of the 'Bounty' Opening times: Open Daily 10.30am - 5.00pm (short closed period over Christmas and New Year, contact the Museum for details). Admission rates: Suggested donation Adults £3.00, Concessions £2.50 (Gift shop and café free). Facilities: Café, Gift shop, Toilets, Full disabled access, Library (by appointment only).

Nearest tube: Lambeth North, Westminster or Waterloo. Exhibitions info | Map The Museum of London - Can be found near City of London (also called Square Mile because of its size and it's a place where Big Boys operate). Nearest Tube stations are St.Paul`s or Barbican. Its name says it all, and this museum will try to walk you through different eras of life of London. Roman relics are most impressive and they start on your entering of the museum. Ages before and after Great Fire of London are included as well as Georgian and Victorian London with articles of the early twentieth century till present times. The real treasure of Museum of London is though in exhibitions, lectures, walks and videos that are being held and organised throughout the year. Open from: Tues-Sat 10am-5:50pm, Sun noon-5:50pm. Tel: 0207 600 3699. Exhibitions info | Map The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising - The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is the result of consumer historian, Robert Opie, who saw the need to record the history of the products around us.

Starting at the age of sixteen with a packet of Munchies, the Collection now extends to all aspects of daily life – toys, comics, magazines, newspapers, technology, travel, royal souvenirs, fashion and design. Robert says, ‘Whilst families tend to save mementoes from special occasions, it struck me that little was being done to keep the everyday material. When the thousands of pieces of this social history are assembled into some giant jigsaw, the picture becomes clearer as to the remarkable journey we have all come through’. Exhibitions info | Map The Natural History Museum - Based in South Kensington near Hyde Park this museum is our favourite. The entrance is in Exhibition Road, same as for Science Museum and please beware there is a great possibility of queues so nice, comfortable shoes are a MUST. Skeletons of reptiles are very good and a display of T-Rex excellent. Sabre-tooth tiger and carnivorous reptiles are sights to be seen. We can`t give enough praises to curators who have organised such a majestical show. Insect room is definitely not for people easily scared with bugs and arachnids. Here you will find real life exhibits, like life cycle of housefly.

Ecology gallery, Mammals gallery, Mineral Gallery and Earth's gallery that holds a 17-carat diamond and an emerald the size of lemon just call out to you. At the end you will be presented with Earth Today and Tomorrow where you can see what we as a human beings are doing to this planet. Pollution and destruction of Mother Earth are shown here. Open from: Mon-Sat 10am-5:50pm, Sun 11am-5:50pm. Tel: 0207 942 5000. Exhibitions info | Map Going south-east to Greenwich or Maze Hill train station you would come upon the National Maritime Museum. Millions of pounds have been spent in redevelopment programme in preparation of Millennium celebrations. There is the sight of a 63-foot Royal Barge and Admiral Nelsons Gallery with his memorabilia. There is fun to be had for a younger audience in All Hands section and for more mature to take chance to steer a ship out of harbour on a computer-simulated deck. Open from: daily 10am-5pm. Tel: 0208 858 4422.

Exhibitions info | Map The RAF Museum - This one is on another side of town and nearest tube station is Colindale. Mind you, you will have a fair walk after station so if you are elderly or can't walk try taking local Minicab or hail a Black-cab from the street. Models of planes are waiting for you and if you have children with you there is a Fun `n` Flight gallery where you can have a bit of fun. Open from: daily 10am-6pm. Tel: 0208 205 2266. Exhibitions info | Map The Science Museum - close to South Kensington tube. Seven floors filled with items drawn from every area of science, including space travel, computing, chemistry, medicine and photography. Interactive displays you can find there are a pleasant change in the life of the museums. If you have a specific interest in any of the fields we have mentioned you can get a guided tour from people in museum. Definitely one of the best museums in London. Open from: daily 10am-6pm. Tel: 0207 938 8123.

Exhibitions info | Map The Sir John Soane's Museum - The architect Sir John Soane's house, museum and library at No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields has been a public museum since the early 19th century. On his appointment as Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy in 1806 Soane began to arrange the Books, casts and models in order that the students might have the benefit of easy access to them. In 1833 Soane negotiated an Act of Parliament to settle and preserve the house and collection for the benefit of 'amateurs and students' in architecture, painting and sculpture. Exhibitions info | Map The Victoria & Albert Museum - This is a home of applied arts. Due to the sheer variety and scale of exhibits there is bound to be something to grab your attention. The world`s largest collection of Indian art outside India, Chinese, Islamic, Japanese and Korean galleries, more Constable paintings than the Tate; seven Raphael masterpieces and sizable collection of miniatures, watercolours and medieval and Renaissance sculpture, plus many other things. Located near South Kensington tube station, at Cromwell road, SW7. Tel: 0207 942 2000.

Exhibitions info | Map The Wallace Collection - The Wallace Collection is both a national museum and the finest private collection of art ever assembled by one family. It was bequeathed to the nation by Lady Wallace, widow of Sir Richard Wallace, in 1897, and opened to the public just over three years later on 22 June 1900. Its first visitors were variously delighted, amazed and bemused. Among its treasures are one of the best collections of French 18th-century pictures, porcelain and furniture in the world, a remarkable array of 17th-century paintings and a superb armoury. The Wallace Collection is located at Hertford House, Manchester Square. Opening hours - Daily 10.00am until 5.00pm (Sundays 12.00pm until 5.00pm). Tel: 0207 563 9500.

Exhibitions info | Map The London Tourism Guide - a free tourist and visitor guidebook for England's capital city The Rest The British Museum: Back from a substantial refit and better than ever, the best museum in the world where 4000 year old Pharoahs enjoy a busier afterlife than they planned for and where Karl Marx meets Buddha. Conveniently situated north of Covent Garden, on Great Russell Street, and just east of Oxford Street's main shopping drag. Just loads of everything you could think of, and free. The African collection is the world's largest (and the best in terms of range and quality) with over 200,000 objects, of which 600 pieces are on show to the public at any one time, though the Horniman is a very close rival. Just wander through the main galleries, and for maximum effeciency do it in several shorter trips than one big one, after all, it's free. However the much hyped special exhibitions are often boring and not worth the money and and we advise avoiding them. Saturday - Wednesday 10.00-17.30, Thursday - Friday 10.00-20.30.

Free. Tube: Tottenham Court Road (Northern/Central), Bus: Tottenham Court Road or New Oxford Street. Sir John Soane's Museum A miniature British Museum. You can visit it as part of one of our walks (which includes the Inns of Court and the Masonic Temple) that links some of London's most beautiful and least known sights. So full of objects that every bit of wall and ceiling is used. Great collection of Hogarth prints and friendly curators full of great anecdotes. Hidden panels reveal even more paintings. Tuesday to Saturday 10.00-17.00. Free. Tube: Holborn (Central). Bus: Holborn The Natural History & Science Museums There's a high concentration of museums in South Kensington (well signposted from the tube) and these two are great for a rainy day. Kids love them. They celebrate the Victorian's love of Science and Nature - many of the machines that changed history are here - Britain has been the world's powerhouse of science - the Computer, the Fax, the WWW, the jet engine, the train, the television, Penicillin, the list is endless. But Tyrannosaurus Rex puts man in his place.

The Natural History Museum is a beautiful building in itself - if you had to visit one museum here it's a tough decision: either the animatronic dinosaur for Jurassic Park fans, or the bells and whistles of the Science museum - better to briefly visit both as they're free. The Science Museum's new Wellcome wing is good value. It's right up to the minute - if a breakthrough is made, they'll have an exhibit up and running in as little as 24 hours. There's a team of scientists on hand conducting real experiments in which you can be a subject, if you wish - the first team took swabs from people's mouths and a photo to match facial shape with their genes. See also the WELCOME COLLECTION (below) in Euston which is more arty and also curates part of the Science Museum. Open every day 10.00 to 18.00, (Natural History opens at 11:00 on Sundays). Free. Tube: South Kensington (Circle/Piccadilly), Bus: Cromwell Road The Victoria & Albert Museum A huge museum of culture, conveniently situated next door to the Science museums and great for Harrods.

It's worth the visit for the cast rooms alone - many of Europe's great architectural gems in two huge halls, like Las Vegas without the gambling and with taste. Avoid the boring Oriental Galleries(Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Middle East) the ones to go for are Fashion (re-opening in 2012), the Cast Room, Performance (Mick Jagger's body suit and lots of theatrical stuff, the British Galleries and Jewelry. The British Culture galleries (levels 2-4) have been refitted and revitalised at a cost of over £31 million (subsidised in part by a gambling tax) Prince Charles had a lot of fun here with the interactive corset display on the opening day, confirming all our suspicions of inbreeding. What's fascinating about the British Galleries is the closeness of the objects - lots are there to be touched, and the place is crammed full of stuff (like the Soane). The great thing about the V&A is its eclecticism - anyone who's ever bought a sofa, wallpapered a room, chosen cutlery or curtains will be fascinated by the displays - but intermingled are great works of art and reconstructed period rooms.

There are several resource rooms with computers, AV displays and book collections to be poured over. Tours are free, as they are of the whole museum, and you can even borrow a lightweight folding stool to take round with you. You can spend hours in here just wandering - whatever it is you're interested, in it'll be in here - our advice, as always is to pop in several times rather than do a marathon. Less formal than the British Museum, the level of interactivity is very high and kids seem to love the hands-on stuff (eg: dressing up in old costumes, building pieces of furniture, designing their own monograms and seeing them put onto cutlery, weaving oriental carpets). Spontaneous concerts in the entrance hall on Sundays. There are regular demonstrations of crafts - for which see the website or pick up a leaflet. The cafe, which was a trendy place to hang out, is now scruffy and very expensive. Open 10.00-18.00 daily, on Wednesdays and the last Friday in the month open to 22.00). Free. (see Historic London ). For directions see Natural History Museum, above.

Imperial War Museum The name says it all, though it's not just about different ways of killing, recently they've become softer, looking at the experience of war rather than its prosecution. Some great exhibitions such as 'The Blitz' and 'The Holocaust' are quite moving. Is located on the site of St Mary's Bethlehem hospital - better known as Bedlam. 10.00-18.00 daily. Free. Tube: Lambeth North (Bakerloo) Bus: Westminster Bridge Road/St George's Circus National Maritime Museum In Britain you're never more than 60 miles from the sea. Britannia really did rule the waves and this is how she did it. Good reason to visit beautiful Greenwich. Open every day 10.00-17.00. Free. Tube: Cutty Sark (Docklands), Train from Waterloo. Charing Cross or London Bridge. Or try: DLR to Island Gardens, foot tunnel to Greenwich. Back by ferry. The Rest Just because a museum is in our 'rest' section doesn't mean it's not top class - the standard of all museums is high, apart from the Clink Museum which gets a big thumbs down from visitors.

Museums that are more attraction than culture are on our attractions page. Wellcome Collection Imagine conceptual artists hijacked the Science Museum (the two are cousins really) this has continually changing and well curated exhibitions on science themed subjects. Never less than fascinating. Also houses the eponymous founder's set of medical curios, some quite creepy. Visit the site to see what's showing currently,or just pop in...except Mondays, open 10-6 (11-6 Sundays). Free. Tube: Euston Square: Circle, Hammersmith & City, Euston: Victoria, Northern, Piccadilly Geffrye Museum A little out of the way - but worth spending half an hour visiting if you're nearby. Converted from a row of almshouses, it's a museum of interiors, with real rooms from every period of history (from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II), laid out as they would have been at the time. Slightly more concessions to children than makes for an fascinating adult visit though. A decent collection of 20th C interiors has just been added, as well as a walled garden (which they call a 'garden room').

Only accessible by bus, from Liverpool Street Station to Kingsland Road, or a longish walk from Old St Tube. You could link this in with a visit on a Sunday to Colombia Road Flower Market (11am best, for brunch, Brick Lane, Spitalfields market, all a short distance from each other. Next door is London's Vietnamese quarter, with great restaurants... some of the best and cheapest food to be had in London - try Song Que (our favourite) which scores low on decor but high on food and price. We regularly eat there. You can also explore trendy Hoxton and Shoreditch while up this end of town. Tube: Liverpool Street(Central), Old Street (Northern) Museum of Garden History Small museum tucked up beside the grounds of Lambeth Palace, in the restored church of St Mary-at-Lambeth. As well as actual gardens, the museum houses ancient gardening implements, seeds and texts and other gardening ephemera and curios. Open 7 days, free admission. Tube: Lambeth North or Westminster. See our Walk One for details. Also see this Map of other gardens open in the London area.

Tube: Lambeth North(Bakerloo) Westminster (Jubilee, Circle & District) Horniman Museum Set in 21 acres of Park, this eclectic collection was given to the nation by Frederick Horniman, the tea merchant, in 1901. Their ethnography department has an excellent collection of african art (at least as good as the British Museum) they're also good on natural history, especially insects and birds, and specialise in musical instruments - with a collection rivalling New York's Metropolitan. However it looks as if the curators were management consultants rather than real people - the entire collection is underlit and unless you take a torch you won't see much. Sloppy displays, and an obsession with building wheelchair access and meeting government targets mar this collection which should rival the Soane for the best independent museum. The canteen is pretty awful too. The aquarium is good, with several nice tanks. A bit too far to travel specially, and you're unlikely to be passing. 100 London Road, SE23. Train to Forest Hill from Charing Cross, Waterloo or London Bridge, then a short walk.

Alternatively go to Dulwich Village to visit the Art Gallery and walk thru the Park or take bus P4 which connects the two. Train: Forest Hill (from Waterloo) Museum Of London Split between the duties of Archeology and Education, whether you decide to visit this museum largely depends on whether you've affection for the city - we have, and enjoy it. Superbly done and with very well thought-out temporary exhibitions (their 'Skeletons of London' won our prize for best curator a few years ago) it's rather like the museums you find in most towns and cities, but more so. Sadly it occupies an ugly building on a traffic roundabout in the city. If you were going to a play at the Barbican, which is next door, pop in here in the late afternoon. It's also nearby the fantastic St Bartholomew's Church (as featured in 'Four Weddings and a Funeral") Strangely enough John Wesley saw God underneath the footbridge that leads to this museum - a plaque marks the spot. Hence methodism and the US' obsession with religion. Monday to Saturday 10.00-17.50pm, (Sunday 12.00). Free.

Tube: St Pauls (Central) Barbican (Circle) Handel House Museum Now open at 25, Brook Street - 400 metres south of Bond Street tube. Marks Handel's career in London - strangely enough in a house next door to Jimi Hendrix's old pad. Not really worth the admission price unless you're obsessed with Handel - a few reconstructed rooms, a couple of portraits and such - you'd be far better off at the V & A or the Geffreye Museum. Tube: Bond St (Central, Jubilee) The Old operating Theatre and Herb Garrett The Old operating theatre for women was built for Guy's & Thomas' Hospital, before the railways devastated the site. It was effectively 'lost' for nearly a century before being rediscovered in the late fifties. It's been restored and is fascinating if you are interested in the history of medicine. There's also the Herb Garrett (who we sometimes tell people was a famous jazz trumpeter) which is an old apothecary's storeroom. It's a nice counterpart to Chelsea's Physic Garden or the Physic Garden at Kew. Florence Nightingale used to work here.

It's built in the attic of an old Wren Church - which is waiting money for restoration. 9, St Thomas Street, SE1. Open 10:00-16:00. Tube: London Bridge (Northern, Jubilee) Trains: from Charing Cross, Waterloo. National Army Museum For all things military, including uniforms and weapons, this tells the history of Britain's Army, in places like Trafalgar and The Colonies, from the time of Henry VIII. Visit the Chelsea Pensioners Hospital next door - England's equivalent of Les Invalides in Paris (see our Historic section). Tube: Sloane Square (Circle). Transport Museum Again one for enthusiasts, though it also targets itself at children. The history of London's transport, which is, we suppose, a history of the World's urban transport as well. Admission fee fairly high considering the size, but the exhibts are crammed into the building. Great shop selling Underground branded goods which make perfect presents. In Covent Garden Piazza. Open 10.00-18.00 daily (11.00-18.00 Fridays).

Free admission for children under 16, so you could dump the kids here and do some shopping... Tube: Covent Garden(Piccadilly), Charing Cross (Northern, Bakerloo). Minority Interest Bank of England Museum - at the Bank of England, Bank Underground (of course) near the Royal Exchange and other city stuff. Free. Website Petrie Museum of Egyptology - part of University College, London, Gower Street. A huge collection with some gems, but not laid out for the general visitor. Free. Website Museum of Brands. - London's newest museum, re-located from Gloucester to trendy Notting Hill. Lots of vintage packaging and advertising. Opened with an exhibit linked to the BBC's excellent programme on Edwardian brands. Admission about £6 adult. Close to Portobello Road market. Website Florence Nightingale Museum, in St Thomas's Hospital next to Westminster Bridge. Museum of Nursing with many of Florence's artifacts. Website The Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Haigiography of the man who 'discovered' penicillin, in the room where he discovered it. Museum of Instruments at the Royal College of Music, next to the Albert Hall.

Over 500 instruments spanning 600 years, though the Horniman's collection is better. Tube: South Kensington. Website British Museum - Visiting Skip to section menu The British Museum uses cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience and to help us improve the site. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. (Last updated: 12 January 2017) Find out more

Question: The main entrance of which London museum is situated on Great Russell Street?
Answer: British Museum