100 Ways to Explore London for Free (Museums and Historical Sites)

Free Museums in London

1 The Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies at the British Museum will amaze you.

2 Experience the earthquake simulator at the Natural History Museum and come face to face with a roaring Tyrannosaurus rex.

3 Discover treasures at Sir John Soane's Museum, a 19th-century townhouse.

4 Explore the long history of the British capital at the Museum of London.

5 Hold a real gold bar at the Bank of England Museum to feel the weight of genuine gold.

6 Get design inspiration from the beautiful objects on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

7 Learn about the history of the River Thames at the London Museum Docklands.

8 Through the objects and experiments at the Faraday Museum, understand how science has evolved through the ages.

9 View the life and work of one of Britain's most inspiring designers at the William Morris Gallery.

10 Head to Greenwich to visit the Queen's House and the National Maritime Museum.

Some Quirky Museums

11 At the Grant Museum of Zoology, you'll be surprised to find a jar of moles.

12 The Imperial War Museum dazzles with over 400 exhibits, including a Spitfire and a Harrier jump jet.

13 See the giant stuffed walrus at the Horniman Museum.

14 Visit the world's oldest dinosaur sculptures in Crystal Palace Park.

15 Learn about the lives of the poor in London's East End in the late 19th century at the Ragged School Museum.

16 Browse old sewing machines at the London Sewing Machine Museum — hundreds of models, and you might just find the one your grandmother used.

17 Visit exhibitions spanning art, health, and science at the Science Gallery London.

18 Visit the Wellcome Collection, where you'll see a bunch of curious items, including a mummy, Napoleon's toothbrush, and Darwin's walking stick.

London's Historic Sites

19 Visit the remains of London's Roman amphitheatre in the basement of the Guildhall Art Gallery.

20 Book free tickets in advance to attend the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. This ceremony has been held almost every night for 700 years.

21 Explore Kenwood House on the edge of Hampstead Heath, a stately home designed by 18th-century Scottish architect Robert Adam.

22 See London Wall, the remains of the Roman city wall built around AD 200, once part of the eastern defences of Roman Londinium.

23 Visit the Temple of Mithras in London to see more Roman ruins and artefacts, an ancient temple undiscovered for centuries.