This blog post was updated on October 11, 2018.
In London, most visitors know of the British Museum, the Tate Modern and the Victoria and Albert Museum. All of these museums are standout spaces for exploring the past without having to pay an admission fee. However, there are several other museums in London with free admission that you might not know about. While the city can be expensive, it always helps to save a few pounds on some museum admissions. If you want to uncover some of London’s free museum that aren’t the big timers, here are four that won’t disappoint.
The National Maritime Museum: For those fascinated by Britain’s connection to the sea, a free visit to the National Maritime Museum is a must while in London. The museum uncovers the endless stories of Britain at sea. It explores the history of trade across the Atlantic, with a compelling exhibit on maritime trade with Asia. As the world’s largest maritime museum, it is no wonder that you can discover what seems like all 500 years of Britain at sea. In addition to all of the practical collections, the National Maritime Museum also adds a twist of fun. The museum contains a ship simulator and the chance to shoot down a pirate ship.
Bank of England Museum: Ironically, the Bank of England Museum does not charge an admission fee to explore the history of the United Kingdom’s central bank. Set up in the Bank of England building, the museum details the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to present day. You can see gold bars from ancient times, a collection of unique coins and banknotes along with documents from the bank’s most famous customers. The museum is home to the largest collection of Bank of England notes in the world.
Sir John Soane’s Museum: Post Bank of England Museum tour, you can explore the home of the man who designed the bank’s building. The Sir John Soane Museum explores the architect’s residence. Sir John Soane was a bit of a collector as the museum showcases. It is home to over 30,000 architectural drawings with many of those featuring some of the most important buildings in London. In addition, you can expect to see a number of his personal effects acquired between the 1780s and 1837 including notable paintings, objects and even the Egyptian sarcophagus of Seti I. The home was originally designed by Soane to be his residence but also to house all of his works of art. It remains largely left as it was at the time of Soane’s death.
The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology: For ancient Egypt fans, London supplies the ultimate free museum. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology is home to around 80,000 objects, making it one of the greatest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology in the world. You can step back in time in this museum while observing its notable pieces such as one of the earliest swatches of linen from 5000 B.C., the earliest known monumental sculpture and the largest architectural drawing, showcasing a shire from 1300 B.C. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archeology is also home to a number of costumes including the oldest dress and works of art from Akhenaten’s city at Amarna.
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