Museums in London
London is full of great Museums from the world famous Natural History Museum to hidden gems like the Sherlock Holmes Museum there's something to satisfy the most curious of minds
By James Stokes | Updated Sep 13 2024
A trip to London wouldn't be complete without a visit to one of the many great museums dotted around the city. From awe-inspiring dinosaurs to fashion and design our run down of the best museums in London will help you explore them all and uncover hidden gems you might otherwise miss.
Best of all many museums offer free admission so they're a great idea if you're on a tight budget.
Young V&A
Following a redevelopment that saw its focus change from a museum of childhood to a museum for children, The Young V&A is wholly designed and curated with kids in mind - from hands-on workshops and interactive installations to storytelling sessions and family-friendly tours, the Young V&A Museum might just be the best museum to take your kids to so you can foster a love for culture and the arts in them from an early age.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum
221B Baker Street was the fictional address of the world’s greatest detective, brought to life in the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Situated in a splendid four-storey Georgian townhouse in exactly the spot where Conan Doyle imagined Holmes living and working, The Sherlock Holmes Museum brings that Victorian, gas-lit world to life with fantastic attention to detail, with visitors guided through the museum by knowledgeable staff in period costume.
It’s an absolute must for fans of the original books or the modern television series, containing the largest collection of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia anywhere in the world.
Museum of Brands
See how people lived by looking at the things that filled their homes and made up their lives, from TV-based board games and the most popular toys of the time to beers that came in a can and the treats that were packed into every kid’s lunchbox. For kids it’s a fascinating look at what life was like before they were born; for adults, it’s often a trip down Memory Lane - every time you visit you're sure to find something new and exciting that triggers a memory or tells a story.
The Royal Airforce Museum
The multi-hangar aircraft museum offers detailed glimpses into British military history, doubling as a well-rounded entertainment centre for all the family. With over 100 aircraft on display, as well as an immersive Spitfire experience where you get to ‘ride’ in one, the RAF Museum in Colindale is a go-to spot for any flight fanatic.
