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The British compulsion to collect artifacts means that Britain has the best museums in the world - we had a whole empire to plunder. Below is a shortlist of things that our guides and surveys of visitors rate the highest, but whatever your interest, from 17th Century fans, to fan engines, there's a museum specifically catering to your taste. And virtually all of them are free....
An extremely thorough government-funded guide to museums (albeit with the sole intention of tempting you inside) is HERE. It paints everything a bit rosier than it really is - many of the museums mentioned aren't really worth visiting, but you'd never find out from the website.
Commercial tourist attractions such as Madame Tussauds and The London Dungeon are on our Attractions page
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. Remember to visit the reading room - in which, due to the numbers of tourists it is now impossible to read. The African collection, newly re-opened, 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. If you are a collector or researcher you can make an appointment to see the rest. Saturday - Wednesday 10.00-17.30, Thursday - Friday 10.00-20.30. Free.
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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.
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The Natural History & Science Museums
Beware the dinosaursThere'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 simply astounding. 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. We think this vies with the Tate Modern as the best new addition to London's art/museum scene. Both open every day 10.00 to 18.00, (Natural History opens at 11:00 on Sundays). Free.
