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List of museums in London facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
A flow chart of London museums by Matt Brown
A flow chart of London's museums

London, the capital city of England, is home to many incredible museums. These places are perfect for exploring history, art, science, and all sorts of fascinating topics. Imagine stepping back in time, seeing amazing artworks, or discovering how things work! As of 2016, there were over 250 registered art and history places in London. This guide will tell you about some of the most exciting museums you can visit.

Top Museums in London

London has a huge variety of museums, from ancient history to modern art. Here are some of the most popular and interesting ones for young explorers.

Explore History and Culture

British Museum: A World of Wonders

The British Museum is one of the oldest and largest museums in the world. It's in the Bloomsbury area and is full of treasures from all over the globe. You can see ancient Egyptian mummies, incredible Roman sculptures, and artifacts from Greece, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It's like taking a trip around the world without leaving London!

Museum of London: The City's Story

Want to know how London became the amazing city it is today? The Museum of London tells the story of London from prehistoric times to the present. You can see what Roman London looked like, explore medieval streets, and learn about the Great Fire of London. It's a fantastic way to understand the city's past.

Tower of London: A Royal Fortress

The Tower of London is a famous historic castle and former royal palace. It has been a fortress, a prison, and even a zoo! You can see the sparkling Crown Jewels, learn about famous prisoners, and meet the Beefeaters (the Yeoman Warders who guard the Tower). Don't forget to look for the ravens – legend says if they leave, the Tower will fall!

Churchill War Rooms: Secret History

Step into a secret underground bunker where Winston Churchill and his team directed Britain's efforts during World War II. The Churchill War Rooms are preserved just as they were during the war. You can explore the Cabinet War Rooms and visit the museum dedicated to Churchill's life. It's a real-life spy adventure!

Imperial War Museum London: Stories of Conflict

The Imperial War Museum London tells the stories of people's experiences during wars in the 20th and 21st centuries. It helps us understand the impact of conflict on individuals and society. You can see real tanks, planes, and learn about the bravery of ordinary people.

Museum of London Docklands: River Life

Located in the historic Isle of Dogs, the Museum of London Docklands explores the history of London's river, port, and people. You can learn about trade, sailors, and the lives of those who worked on the docks. It's a fascinating look at how the River Thames shaped London.

Ragged School Museum: Victorian School Days

The Ragged School Museum offers a glimpse into what school was like for poor children in Victorian times. You can sit in a real Victorian classroom and imagine life without computers or fancy textbooks. It's a great way to appreciate how much education has changed!

Jewish Museum London: A Rich Heritage

The Jewish Museum London celebrates Jewish culture, heritage, and traditions in Britain. It has beautiful ceremonial art and tells the stories of Jewish people in London through history.

Queer Britain: Celebrating LGBTQ+ History

Queer Britain is the UK's first museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and others) history and culture. It shares important stories and celebrates the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Britain.

Amazing Art and Design Museums

Victoria and Albert Museum: Art and Design for Everyone

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is a huge museum dedicated to art, design, and performance. You can see everything from ancient sculptures to modern fashion, jewelry, and furniture. It's a fantastic place to get inspired by creativity from around the world.

Tate Modern: Modern Art Masterpieces

Located in a former power station on the Bankside of the River Thames, Tate Modern is Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art. You'll find exciting and sometimes surprising artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Tate Britain: British Art Through Time

Tate Britain is home to the national collection of British art, from the 16th century to today. You can see famous paintings by artists like J.M.W. Turner and explore how British art has changed over hundreds of years.

National Gallery: Famous Paintings

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square houses a collection of Western European paintings from the 13th century to 1900. You can see masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, and Monet. It's a must-see for art lovers!

National Portrait Gallery: Faces of History

Right next to the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of famous and important British people throughout history. It's a fun way to see the faces behind the stories you've learned.

Design Museum: Everyday Objects, Amazing Stories

The Design Museum explores the world of product, industrial, graphic, fashion, and architectural design. It shows how everyday objects are created and how design influences our lives. You'll never look at a chair or a phone the same way again!

William Morris Gallery: Arts and Crafts Beauty

The William Morris Gallery is dedicated to the life and work of the famous designer, writer, and artist William Morris. It showcases beautiful furniture, textiles, ceramics, and glass from the Arts and Crafts movement.

Science, Nature, and Technology

Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs and More!

The Natural History Museum is famous for its incredible dinosaur skeletons, including the huge T-Rex. But it's also home to millions of specimens from the natural world, covering botany, entomology (insects), mineralogy, paleontology (fossils), and zoology. It's a fantastic place to learn about our planet and its creatures.

Science Museum: Discover and Invent

The Science Museum is a national museum of science and technology. You can explore amazing exhibits on space, transport, medicine, and steam engines. It's a hands-on museum where you can discover how things work and learn about incredible inventions.

London Transport Museum: Journey Through Time

The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden tells the story of public transport in London. You can see old buses, trains, and learn about the history of the Underground (the Tube). It's a fun ride through London's travel history!

Royal Observatory, Greenwich: Time and Stars

Part of the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, Greenwich is where Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) was established. You can stand on the Prime Meridian, explore astronomical tools, and visit the planetarium to learn about stars and space.

Cutty Sark Museum: A Fast Ship's Tale

The Cutty Sark Museum is a real 19th-century clipper ship, one of the fastest of its time. You can explore the ship, learn about its voyages, and imagine life as a sailor on the high seas.

London Museum of Water & Steam: Power of Water

This museum in Brentford celebrates the history of London's water supply and has a collection of huge steam engines that used to pump water. It's a great place to see impressive Victorian engineering in action.

Unique and Fun Museums

Young V&A: Play and Learn

Formerly known as the V&A Museum of Childhood, the Young V&A in Bethnal Green is all about toys, dolls, and children's playtime. It's a wonderful place to explore how children have played and lived throughout history.

Horniman Museum and Gardens: Global Collections

The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill has a diverse collection of musical instruments, natural history specimens, and artifacts from different cultures around the world. It also has beautiful gardens and an aquarium!

Sherlock Holmes Museum: A Fictional Detective's Home

If you love mysteries, you might enjoy the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street. It's dedicated to the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and his adventures.

Fan Museum: Art of the Fan

The Fan Museum in Greenwich is a unique place dedicated to the art and craft of the fan. You can see beautiful and historic fans from different cultures and time periods.

Musical Museum: Automated Instruments

The Musical Museum in Brentford has an amazing collection of self-playing musical instruments, from music boxes to huge automatic organs. It's a treat for your ears!

Pollock's Toy Museum: Old-Fashioned Fun

Pollock's Toy Museum is a charming, old-fashioned museum filled with toys, games, dolls, and puppets from different eras. It's a nostalgic trip back to childhood.

Popular Museums by Visitors

Many of London's museums are free to enter, which means lots of people can enjoy them! Here are some of the most visited museums in London, based on figures from the financial year ending March 31, 2008:

Since 2001, most government-funded museums in the UK have offered free admission. This has helped many more people visit and enjoy these wonderful places.

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