33 of the best museums in London

The capital of Great Britain offers its guests an exciting and informative cultural travel program. Walking through numerous museums and galleries leave an indelible impression of your stay in London. Here every tourist will find interesting educational institutions of different thematic directions. London's museums amaze visitors with their magnificent richness of expositions. They are a reflection of the cultural heritage of all mankind. During the heyday of the British Empire, valuable works of art and ancient artifacts were brought to London from all over the world. Most museums will delight tourists with free accessibility.

British museum

The British Museum is a numerous historical and archaeological exhibition reflecting the colonial past of England from the time of Ancient Egypt to the present day. Many of the exhibits presented in the museum today were donated by famous people or purchased by the administration at auctions. However, among them there are those that appeared “from the back door”. Greeks and Egyptians to this day are trying to return architectural masterpieces and archaeological finds that do not belong, as they believe, to Great Britain. The British Museum is associated with tourists not only with a rich collection of various exhibits, but also with a building in the classicism style - with columns and a modern glass dome in the courtyard, which has become one of the symbols of London in the 21st century.

As for the museum galleries, they display a huge number of artifacts. All expositions are divided into thematic zones. The most interesting collections are ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman, but others are also of interest. For example, numismatic, which is a collection of coins from different times from around the world. We should also mention the art department. It is not too big, but it boasts works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt and many other famous artists.

Interestingly, the staff includes not only traditional workers, but also six cats, whose duties include catching mice. There is a chance to meet unusual employees during the excursion. Located at Great Russell Street, London. Its doors are open daily from 10-00 to 17-00. You do not need to pay for the entrance - you can get acquainted with the history of Britain and not only for free.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

When Arthur Conan Doyle was creating his legendary work about the detective Sherlock Holmes, he could hardly have thought that in a couple of hundred years house number 221 would appear on Baker Street, in the distant 19th century there were just over a hundred, and even more so - that this address will be one of the most famous in London. Today, the Sherlock Holmes Museum, opened in 1900, attracts thousands of tourists. It is housed in a Victorian mansion carefully designed by a modern architect from book descriptions. All interiors have been restored in the same way.

The space of the four-story cottage is organized a little differently, as described by Arthur Conan-Doyle in his book, the location of the rooms was influenced by the tourist popularity of this place. On the ground floor, in addition to the ticket offices, there is a fairly large gift shop. The second floor is the chambers of the famous detective.

The third floor is occupied by the rooms where Dr. Watson and the maid Mrs. Hudson, Sherlock's indispensable assistant in everyday matters, lived. By the way, it is she who meets the guests and introduces them to the master's possessions. The fourth floor of the mansion has nothing to do with the detective, here are collected busts and sculptures of heroes of other works of Arthur Conan-Doyle. Address - Baker Street, 221 b. However, attentive guests will surely notice the discrepancy, it is located in house 239. The exposition is open daily from 9-30 to 18-00, it closes exclusively on Christmas.

London Pass: Free admission to 60 attractions - £ 69
Harry Potter: travel and tour of Warner Brothers Studios - £ 77
Harry Potter: Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transfer - £ 83
Hop-on hop-off bus tour - £ 32
Windsor Castle ticket - £ 21.20
Tower of London and Royal Treasure Exhibition Ticket - £ 26.80
View from the Oskolok skyscraper - entrance ticket and champagne - £ 24.95
Cruise on the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich - £ 12

Saatchi Gallery

The Saatchi Gallery is one of the most unusual British museums. Everything here is striking - from the exhibitions to the building in which they are located. After all, the former barracks can hardly be called the best place to get acquainted with art. The gallery got its name in honor of its founder, art dealer Charles Saatchi. It was he who decided to make his personal collection of contemporary paintings public. Today Saatchi boasts not only permanent, but temporary exhibitions, some of which create a real sensation among both visitors and critics. Moreover, not always in the positive sense of the word.

Going to the gallery, you should prepare yourself to experience a variety of emotions - from delight and admiration to bewilderment and disgust. After all, how else can you relate to the work of Mark Quinn - heads cast from frozen blood? Or an animal cut into formaldehyde by Demian Hirst? Unfortunately or fortunately, these exhibitions are already in the past and it will not be possible to visit them today. But there are others - no less shocking and shocking.

Controversial among critics and interest among ordinary people, even not related to art. What will be lucky to see you on the day of your visit is a mystery. The gallery is located at Duke of York's HQ, King's Road. Its doors are open daily from 10-00 to 18-00. The ticket office, where you can get a ticket for free, closes half an hour earlier, at 17-30.

Tate Gallery

The Tate Gallery is the best place to experience British art. Here are the works of a wide variety of authors, from the 16th century to modern ones. It was started by the industrialist Henry Tate, who decided to make his personal collection public. All works are systematized in chronological and thematic order for ease of perception. Indeed, the variety of dates, styles and names can make the head spin even among seasoned connoisseurs. Portraits, landscapes, everyday sketches, mysticism ... everyone will surely be able to find a canvas to their liking.

2000 was a year of change for the Tate Gallery. Her collection has grown so much that the old building in Trafalgar Square is no longer enough. This is how the Tate Modern branch appeared on the opposite bank of the Thames. They chose an extraordinary and original room for it, and a power plant was located in the museum. Gradually, this place has become a cult among lovers of modern art around the world. But even if you are indifferent to paintings, the Tate Gallery is still worth a visit.

At least in order to ride a boat that runs between branches on the Thames, and have a cup of coffee in a panoramic cafe under the roof of the Tate Modern. Located at London, Millbank, Tate Britain, its modern branch is opposite St Paul's Cathedral. Both of them work from 10-00 to 17-50. The first Friday of each month is a “long” day, the doors are open until 20-00. December 24-26 - days off. You do not need to pay for the entrance. But for a boat trip, if it is included in the plans, you will have to.

Charles Dickens House Museum

Charles Dickens is one of the most famous English writers. He penned such works as the adventures of Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and many others.Guests of the museum dedicated to the literary genius can get acquainted not only with his work, but also with the life of a traditional family of the Victorian era. So what can you see? First of all, the dining room, where the whole family gathered. Victorian porcelain plates depict the writer and his friends. Also on the ground floor there is a bedroom with a large four-poster bed, a kitchen and a living room.

The second floor is the real kingdom of Dickens, his study with a dressing room. Here, as if two hundred years ago, there is a table and a chair, where works were created that the whole world soon learned about, the first editions of books and even manuscripts lie. The walls of the study and other rooms of the museum are decorated with paintings depicting old London. The Dickens House Museum is located at 48 Doughty Street. Its doors are open from 10-00 to 17-00, tickets at the box office stop selling an hour earlier. They cost £ 9. But on holidays, the exposition does not work.

In London, GuruTurizma recommends the following hotels:

Museum "Cupids of London"

In order to feel happy, a person must not only discover new things, get vivid emotions and impressions, but also be able to relax and unwind. The best place in the British capital for this is the Cupid Museum of London. The exposition, inaugurated in 2007, attracted the attention of tourists, local residents, and the press. After all, Paris is traditionally considered a city of love, free and a bit depraved. London is much more modest in this regard. But, nevertheless, a museum dedicated to eroticism, sex and love has nevertheless appeared here.

Its exposition presents paintings, things, as well as interactive exhibits created thanks to modern computer technology: touch screens, multimedia equipment. The organizers of the museum also took care of the lighting - red tones add mystery and even a touch of passion. After exploring the expositions, you can continue to relax in the cafe, where cocktails made from aphrodisiacs are offered. They, according to bartenders, add sexuality to anyone, stimulate attraction and even increase sexual activity.

Those who wish can not only visit the exposition, but also get a consultation with a sex therapist for an additional fee. One of the most controversial museums in London is located near Piccadilly Circus, at 13. Coventry Street. It is open from 11-00 to 00-00. In the daytime, until 17-00.

Westminster Abbey Museum

Westminster Abbey is not only the country's main cathedral, but also one of the symbols of London. The Gothic building is reminiscent of the deeds of bygone days and the traditions of old England. By the way, do not get lost if suddenly somewhere it will be designated as the cathedral church of St. Peter - this is the second name of the abbey. In the underground room, considered one of the oldest in the entire complex, there is a small but very interesting museum dedicated to the history of the shrine.

Fragments of sculptures and frescoes, funerary statues of members of the royal family and even the thrones on which monarchs were crowned. All this can be seen here, the exhibits reflect not only the history of the church, but of the whole of England. The museum has a small souvenir shop where you can take pictures and buy something for memory. By the way, you can enter it from the street without buying entrance tickets.

There is quite a lot of Westminster in London - a chapel, a palace, a cathedral. All these objects should not be confused, let alone unified, they exist autonomously from each other, both historically and territorially. The abbey is located at Deans Yd, 20. You can visit it from 10-30 to 16-00 on any day except Sunday, when only parishioners are allowed to enter. However, it is better to clarify the opening hours before the visit, since the church is active and services can be held in it.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is dedicated to the arts and crafts not only in England but around the world. It was founded in 1851 on the initiative of Queen Victoria, and her husband, Prince Albert, did a lot to develop and replenish the collection, acquiring exhibits at his own expense. It was in honor of this couple that the museum got its name in the future.

Today he is one of the twenty most popular on the planet. To say that the collection is rich and extensive is to say nothing. 51,000 square meters, 140 halls with over 4 million exhibits. As a rule, tourists are limited to a cursory inspection, which begins with a collection dedicated to European art from different eras. After being impressed by the works of Raphael and other famous people, you should not relax. After all, there are still a lot of interesting collections - architectural, Asian, book, devoted to fashion. Many of them are called in a modern manner - departments.

Guided tours of the museum are completely free. A short review accompanied by a specialist will take about an hour. Special programs are offered for young guests and their parents. Cradle of arts and crafts is located in central London, on Cromwell Road. You can visit from 10-00 to 17-45 (on Fridays - until 20-00). The entrance, as well as the excursions, is free.

Design Museum

Lovers of creativity and everything unusual should definitely visit the London Design Museum. Founded relatively recently, it has already become a mecca for creative people around the world. Here professionalism is combined with progressive ideas, and innovation - with tradition and classics. The museum is located in a three-story building. On the ground floor there are cash desks, office premises, an art cafe and a gift shop. All of this, even the toilets, is decorated by famous designers in a very unusual style. The second and third floors are occupied by permanent and temporary exhibitions.

They are dedicated to different areas, but the “core” are exhibits dedicated to the design of clothes and interiors. Moreover, both sketches and graphic sketches, and the final results of labor are presented. The room itself is also decorated in an original way and deserves attention. Under the roof there is an exposition dedicated to the history of design - from its very formation to the present. In addition, celebrations, conferences, seminars and classes for children are held here.

Located at Shad Thames, 28. Visitors are expected daily, from 10-00 to 17-45.

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum London is dedicated to nature - its past, present and even a little future. It consists of two parts - research, where scientists work and scientific research is carried out (many years ago, Charles Darwin himself worked here), and the exhibition itself, which is open to visitors. It resembles the scenery for the films and Harry Potter and Night at the Museum. Although, of course, they weren't filmed here.

The expositions are divided into several “color zones”. The most populous, blue, features skeletons of dinosaurs and other long-extinct animals. It is interesting for both children and adults. The green zone is not so large, in its expositions - birds, insects and plants. In red, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur every day. Not real, of course, but layouts. In addition, here you can get acquainted with the “mineral diversity” of our planet. The Orange Zone is dedicated to the work of Charles Darwin.

There are laboratories where everyone can participate in the most real scientific experiments. Of course, this entertainment is aimed at children.Little visitors are a priority here in every sense. Located at Cromwell Road, Natural History Museum. You can visit it on any day (except Christmas holidays) from 10-00 to 17-50. On the last Friday of the month - until 22-30. The entrance to the main exhibition is free.

Cutty Sark Ship Museum

The British are anxious and respectful of everything connected with their history. It is not surprising that the ship with the mystical name Cutty Sark, named after the Scottish witch, the heroine of the work of Robert Burns, has been perfectly preserved and pleases visitors not only with its appearance, but also, if I may say so, with its interiors.

Sailors traditionally believe in omens. From the very beginning, they believed that a ship with a mystical and terrifying name was not destined to long life. However, for more than a dozen years, he plowed the vast seas and oceans, transporting tea from China to Europe, and has been perfectly preserved to this day. True, in 2007 there was a serious fire, after which restoration work lasted until 2012. Today Cutty Sark welcomes visitors again. Here you can walk on decks, look into the holds and even visit the underwater part. It is she who makes the greatest impression on visitors.

The perfect end of the excursion will be lunch, or afternoon tea, at the “sea” cafe. And in the souvenir shop you can buy something for memory. Located on the Thames waterfront at Greenwich, King William Walk. You can go up to the deck any day from 11-00 to 17-00.

Transport Museum

Double-decker tourist buses are one of the symbols of London, its trademark in the travel world. They and not only can be seen in the Museum of Transport. Its exposition is quite extensive and occupies a large three-story building. Each of the floors is dedicated to a particular topic. The first is the so-called organizational. There are cash desks, offices, a cafe and a souvenir shop where you can buy something for memory. In addition, young visitors will certainly be interested in the room with models, where everything can not only be touched, but also tested in action. However, no matter how interesting it is below, everything interesting is ahead.

The second floor of the museum is dedicated to the history of the world's first subway. It is not hard to guess that he appeared in London. Here you can see how they began to build the subway manually, how new stations appeared, and how the layout of lines and train movements changed over the years. The third floor is dedicated to ground transportation. Literally everything connected with street traffic is represented here - from horse carriages to those very legendary double-decker buses.

You can clearly see how the streets of the British capital have changed over the years. Address: pl. Covent Garden. It works daily, from 10-00 to 18-00 (on Fridays it opens an hour later, from 11-00). Children under 16 years old can visit the exposition completely free of charge.

Madame Tussauds museum

One of the world famous and popular cultural places in London is the wax museum named after the famous sculptor Madame Marie Tussauds. It was founded in 1835 and since then has served as the most visited attraction in the British capital. The modern building of the famous museum, located at the Baker Street tube station, has a characteristic tall green dome. The exposition of the complex is divided into thematic halls, which display the greatest collection of wax figures of eminent artists, musicians, politicians, athletes and various historical figures.

Skillful detailing of images, naturalness of sculptures, painstaking work of artists and similarity to the original delight the audience. Tourists are given the opportunity to take memorable photos with their idols and even touch them with their hands. Brad Pete, Angelina Jolie, Usain Bolt, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, John Travolta, Charlie Chaplin, David Beckham, Bruce Willis, Queen Elizabeth, Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Princess Diana - this is not a complete list of celebrities. which can be seen in the museum.

Regardless of the type of activity of prominent persons, the exhibition of the London institution is regularly updated with new sculptures. Receives guests from 9:00 to 19:00. The ticket price will cost each visitor £ 29.

National Gallery

A splendid collection of artwork is housed in the National Art Gallery of London. An imposing gray building with a massive portico, powerful columns and a huge dome dominates Trafalgar Square. More than 2,000 paintings by famous painters from all over the world are exhibited in the elegantly decorated interiors of the premises. The collection consists of masterpieces dating back to the 13th century. Visitors to the gallery can clearly trace how the trends and technical features of writing the immortal brilliant creations of great artists have changed over the centuries.

Among the examples of painting art, paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caspar Friedrich, Titian, Rembrandt, Bartolomeo Murillo, Carlo Crivelli and other masters of their era deserve special attention. The National Gallery of London has an impressive collection of Orthodox icons from the Byzantine, Greek and Russian schools of writing. Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00 and until 21:00 (on Fridays). Admission is completely free.

Gallery Tate Modern

In the picturesque five-story building of the former power plant on the banks of the River Thames, there is a gallery of modern art - "Tate Modern". The iconic place is of interest to fans of abstract, avant-garde and innovative creativity. The industrial building is crowned with a hundred-meter chimney and a glass roof. In halls with high ceilings against the background of dark bricks, curious paintings, photographs, exhibits, installations and sculptures are exhibited. Here, many objects of art make an ambiguous impression, bewilderment, and sometimes even irritate. Nevertheless, the collection engages visitors in comprehending the urgent problems of society.

The gallery contains over 70 thousand works by various artists, including Picasso, Malevich, Monet, Warhol and other masters of abstract art. Basically, the foundation of the institution consists of world masterpieces of surrealism, created during the XX century. Open every day from 10:00 to 18:00 (Sunday-Thursday) and until 21:00 (Friday-Saturday). Visiting the exposition is free.

Institute of Contemporary Arts

The Institute of Contemporary Art is located in the business district of the British capital. This is a prestigious exhibition area, where exhibits of new trends in the visual arts are presented for public viewing. The institution was founded in 1946 by collectors, writers and critics. The creative intelligentsia wanted it here to open a place for holding workshops for artists who could express their creative ideas outside the existing limits of classical art standards.

The Institute of Contemporary Art has a gallery, cinema, bookshop and café. Visitors are shown an exposition that promotes the avant-garde, provocative and marginal direction in creativity. These are paintings, sculptures, performances, video installations. Concerts are often held here. The entrance is free. The gallery is open from 12:00 to 23:00.

Wallace Collection

The curiosity of tourists will be satisfied with the contemplation of a unique collection of masterpieces of art of one of the revered English marquises - Sir Richard Wallace. The museum is based on the richest private collection of paintings, medieval weapons, fine sculptures, antique furniture and many decorative and applied items. The exhibits amaze the audience with their performance and magnificence. Valuable artifacts were bequeathed to the public by the Marquis of the British Nation.

The exhibits are kept in the Wallace family mansion, built in the 18th century. An impressive art collection is displayed in 25 rooms among luxurious interiors that epitomize aristocratic Victorian dwellings. The preserved cozy atmosphere makes a visit to the museum akin to visiting Sir Wallace personally.

Tourists can get aesthetic pleasure from admiring a large variety of paintings by the greatest artists of their time. These are the works of Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, van Dyck, Canaletto, Boucher and many other artists. Attention is drawn to examples of carved furniture dating back to the 17th century, as well as golden boxes, beautiful statues and porcelain items. Receives guests daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Free admission.

Harry Potter Museum

True fans of the legendary story of the young wizard Harry Potter will be very interested in visiting the museum of the same name, located not far from London. This is a whole complex consisting of huge pavilions with stunning decorations, various buildings and props. Hundreds of detailed locations, costumes of heroes, recognizable artifacts immerse tourists in the wonderful world of fairy tales and adventures.

The cinematic town is home to the achievements of modern production of cult Harry Potter films. The secrets of creating spectacular scenes with special effects will be revealed to the guests of the museum. Hogwarts training halls, Dumbledore's office, the famous 9 платформа platform, Diagon Alley and many other familiar places from the franchise await tourists.

Tickets can only be purchased on the official website of the museum. They cost £ 43 for adults and £ 35 for children aged 5-15. The Harry Potter Museum welcomes its guests every day from 8:30 (Saturday, Sunday) and from 9:30 (Monday-Friday) to 22:00.

Jeffrey Museum

In the old two-story building of the former almshouse of the 18th century, the Jeffrey Museum is located, where guests of the British capital can get acquainted with the history of the development of the English household. The exposition reflects changes in the arrangement of dwellings of representatives of the middle class in London. The collection clearly demonstrates how the taste preferences of people about the comfort, style and design of their apartments were formed. In eleven small rooms, residential apartments of different time periods have been recreated, from 1600 to modern days.

Particular attention is paid to pieces of furniture and arts and crafts. The walls and ceilings are decorated with original patterned ornaments, drawings, oak panels or wallpaper. Visitors will see carved armchairs, tables and cabinets, as well as fireplaces, samples of textiles, dishes, vases, candlesticks, boxes and other interior accessories.

The doors are open from Tuesday to Sunday. Working hours: 10:00 - 17:00. Free admission. It is strictly prohibited to touch the exhibits. There is a picturesque garden around, where tourists can walk along the green lawn under the crowns of trees.

Imperial War Museum

The stately building with a massive dome and a portico-entrance of the Ionic order houses numerous military exhibits. It is noteworthy that until 1936 the historic building belonged to the Royal Asylum. The collection is dedicated to the military conflicts of the 20th century, in which the army of the British Empire took part. A well-groomed park is laid out around the complex. A gigantic model of a double-barreled artillery gun is installed on its territory. Here you can also see a monument to Soviet soldiers who fell in World War II.

The exhibition pavilions are filled with tanks, airplanes, ballistic missiles, light armored vehicles and various types of weapons. Among the examples are British, Russian and German weapons. Skillfully crafted trenches, barbed wire dugouts and command posts unwittingly transport visitors to the harsh wartime reality. The exhibits of MI-6 intelligence, personal belongings of soldiers, unique archival documents and photographs deserve special attention.
Receives its guests daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Free admission.

Museum of London

Impossible to pass by the informative, interactive and free local history museum in London. The institution invites its guests, in chronological order, to follow the rich history of one of the largest European capital. The exposition covers time periods from the Stone Age to the present day. Tourists can visit the institution every day from 10:00 to 18:00.

The fund is striking in its diversity. There are numerous artifacts from archaeological excavations, including stone axes, axes, spears, swords, arrows, jewelry, personal belongings of Roman legionnaires, skulls of primitive people and much more. The collection of classic dresses, costumes, photographs, paintings, dishes, toys, and household items is of interest. The gem of the collection is the gilded carriage of one of the Honorable Lords of Britain, made in 1757.

The halls recreate the districts of old London with shops, workshops, bank branches, bakeries, taverns, hairdressers and ateliers. Visitors will learn how the townspeople once baked bread, processed metal, sewed clothes and used ancient tools. The impressive size LED screens show videos from the history of the city's life.

Science Museum

It is an entertaining and exciting place that attracts the attention of a huge number of tourists. More than 300 thousand exhibits are located in the galleries of the five-story building. All of them belong to the highest achievements of the human mind. An impressive collection dedicated to scientific activities in the fields of space, technology, medicine, chemistry and industry. Spectators are genuinely interested in unique steam engines, engines, aircraft, computers, vintage cars, space equipment, rockets, various mechanisms, household appliances and other inventions.

The models are made in full size. The museum features interactive exhibits that clearly demonstrate how a particular device looks from the inside. A separate room is filled with medical instruments of the doctors of the past centuries. Here you can also get acquainted with modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

Tourists will be curious to study some physical phenomena with the help of uncomplicated experiments, as well as explore the capabilities of the human body and sense organs. Innovative virtual reality technologies offer visitors to feel like an astronaut, travel through the vastness of the universe and visit a space station.

Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. The entrance to the complex is free. Voluntary donations are encouraged.

Horror Museum

The London Dungeon, which means "London Dungeon", is an original combination of museum, quest and theatrical performance. The popular attraction is designed to immerse not the faint-hearted tourists in the gloomy atmosphere of medieval torture, bloody crimes and criminal events from the history of the British capital. The impressions of what is happening are enhanced by special effects, soundtracks, fetid smells, excellent scenery and actors dressed in historical costumes.

Visitors will become unwitting participants in a comic and sometimes eerie performance. In the labyrinths of the dungeon, in the dim light, one can meet executioners with axes, leper victims of the plague, wandering dead, serial killers and maniacs. Each of them will be able to tickle the nerves of tourists. The spectators will see corpses with a slit throat and released intestines.Numerous torture devices are feared.

Guests will have the opportunity to wander through the fire-ravaged neighborhoods and tunnels, visit Swinney Todd's hairdresser, hide from Jack the Ripper, and take a decrepit boat in complete darkness to the scaffold. Tourists will be sentenced to death by hanging, which will end with a sharp fall into a special mine. No one will get hurt, but everyone will be deeply impressed.

London Dungeon welcomes its guests every day from 10:00 to 16:00 (on weekdays) and until 18:00 (Saturday, Sunday). The ticket price online through the museum's official website is £ 21.

Wellington Museum

A classic mansion with a Corinthian portico and limestone cladding rises next to London's famous Hyde Park. In this building lived the triumphant of the Battle of Waterloo, the duke and great commander - Arthur Wellington. He became famous not only for his military courage, but also for collecting masterpieces of art.

Today, a museum is located in the luxurious halls of the mansion. It exhibits valuable art trophy canvases captured by Wellington during the military campaigns against the French. The pristine aristocratic interior of the premises gives a special ambience for enjoying the works of painting. The exhibition is filled with works by such masters as Rubens, Velazquez, van Dijk, Caravaggio, Goya, Murillo and many other artists. In addition to the art gallery, museum visitors will see exquisite furniture, as well as a collection of porcelain, silver, weapons and orders.

At the entrance, tourists are greeted by a three-meter statue of Napoleon, made by the famous sculptor Antonio Canova. The Emperor is represented in the guise of Mars the Peacemaker. The statue symbolizes the defeated opponent of Arthur Wellington and reminds everyone of the merits of the British commander. Open from Wednesday to Sunday in the summer season (11: 00-17: 00) and from Saturday to Sunday in the winter season (10: 00-16: 00). The price for an adult ticket is £ 10.

Klink Prison Museum

For thrill-seekers, the former Klink prison, located not far from the Thames coast, opens its gloomy doors. The preserved basement houses a thematic museum. This terrifying place instilled fear in Londoners from the 12th century to 1780. Today, tourists flock here every day, wanting to tickle their nerves.

The founder of the prison was the Bishop of Winchester, who was notable for his cruelty towards prisoners. Debtors, brawlers, drunkards, heretics, thieves, harlots, as well as innocent people were sent to jail. The jailers extorted money from the arrested for food, candles and bedding.

The atmosphere of the cells of a medieval prison has been recreated as faithfully as possible. Visitors can see numerous torture devices designed to freeze the blood in their veins. The wax figures of the convicts and the audio recordings of heartbreaking groans add extra eerie experience. The Klink prison receives its guests every day. From July to September it is open from 10:00 to 21:00. In the period October-June, viewing of the exposition is limited to 18:00. The ticket price is £ 7.5.

Bank of England Museum

The Bank of England Museum is housed in a classic 18th-century building with columns, a portico and sculptures on its façade. The expositions of the institution reflect the history of the formation of the financial system of the state. Unique banknotes, royal coins, gold bars, original engravings, sculptures, IOUs and various documents are on display.

The museum fund possesses rare muskets and pikes, which were used by guards to protect the bank in the old days. Various pieces of furniture can be seen among the exhibits. Noteworthy is the large iron chest that served as a safe. Of interest is the reconstruction of an old office space with wax figures dressed in historical robes. Available for visiting on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00. Free admission.

Churchill Museum

Next to St. James's Park, under the Treasury building, there is a unique place - Winston Churchill's underground bunker. Here, at a depth of about five meters, during the German bombing raids, an outstanding British statesman held a cabinet meeting and gave orders to the army. Since 1984, the bunker has been a museum, where Churchill's personal belongings and a considerable number of interesting exhibits are on display.

The interiors of the Prime Minister's headquarters have a rather austere and practical look, corresponding to wartime conditions. Massive steel blocks under the ceiling protected the shelter from being hit by shells. Tourists will see not only Churchill's office and apartments, but also working rooms for members of the government, signalmen, typists and various personnel. The premises are lined with desks, chairs, beds and other attributes. In some rooms wax mannequins imitate the activity quite convincingly.

The collection showcases original documents, maps, telephones and garments used by Winston Churchill. Famous attributes are of interest: a box of smoking cigars, a cane, a top hat and a polka-dotted butterfly. A notable exhibit of the complex is an interactive fifteen-meter table. Its sensory surface reflects information about all the details of the life of the great Briton. Open every day from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Tea and Coffee Museum

The capital of Great Britain invites its guests to visit the Tea and Coffee Museum. Tourists are given the opportunity to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the history and culture of consumption of these aromatic and favorite drinks of millions of people. The exposition consists of an impressive collection of priceless attributes associated with tea and coffee ceremony. In the halls you can see Chinese porcelain dishes, Japanese bowls, miniature cups, whisks for whipping tea leaves, sets painted with colorful ornaments, Russian meter samovars and much more.

The walls are decorated with picturesque prints and paintings depicting scenes from the tea drinking ritual. Teapots of various shapes, sizes and models are especially delighted. They are presented in the form of dragons, lions, cars, mailboxes, police officers, steam locomotives, and pieces of furniture. It works every day from 10:00 to 18:00. The ticket price is £ 4.

Pollock Toy Museum

Offers tourists to plunge into the magical and carefree world of a good childhood. This place has prepared for its spectators a lot of wonderful impressions and pleasant surprises. Small rooms, connected by spiral staircases, are filled with adorable dolls, constructors, toy soldiers, marionettes, toy cars, airplanes and all kinds of mechanical trinkets.

The museum is named after the famous Victorian era master of toys and theater decorations - Benjamin Pollock. Most of the exhibits are unique historical items. The exposition features wax, porcelain, plastic, wood, fabric and even paper toys. Some dolls "live" in their amazing houses. Their miniature apartments are furnished and equipped with kitchenware. A separate showcase is dedicated to teddy bears, nesting dolls, as well as Dymkovo and carved Bogorodsky toys.

The toy exhibition can be visited on any day except Sunday. Open from 10:00 to 17:00. The entrance ticket for an adult will cost 5 pounds, for children 2 pounds.

Childhood Museum

The exhibits will certainly bring a lot of joyful emotions to adults and young travelers. The huge galleries of the two-story pavilion contain a collection of various toys from all over the world.These are dolls, puppets, soldiers, figurines of famous characters, robots, all kinds of board games, teddy bears, wooden horses, constructors, clockwork trains, cars and many other funny items. The Museum of Childhood is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:45 pm. Free admission.

The property of the fund is an exposition of doll houses, exhibited behind glass showcases of shelves. Many of the models have an open view, allowing viewers to view miniature furniture, tiny dishes and the detailed interiors of miniature apartments. It is impossible to pass by the exquisite toy china sets. The diameter of the cups and plates does not exceed five centimeters. The doll's tableware is covered with floral ornaments and colorful patterns.

Noteworthy are items of children's clothing for boys and girls. Dresses and costumes of the 18th – 19th centuries are presented. Rare wooden, ceramic and wax cute dolls amaze visitors with luxurious outfits embroidered by hand a century ago. Mechanical toys - plying trains, dancing ballerinas, walking robots and moving figurines - cause delight.

Sir John Soane Museum

Attracts tourists with an abundance of unique works of art. The apartments of the studio house where J. Soun lived and worked are literally cluttered with antiquarian items. Here you can see fragments of architectural landmarks, antique marble and plaster frescoes, archaeological artifacts, sculptures, minerals, vases, pictorial prints and much more.

The art collection contains rare paintings by Piranesi, Hogarth and Canaletto. The walls of the art room are screens that swing upward with hinges, revealing new images. Thus, hundreds of paintings were placed in a small room. The bulk of the maniacal collector's exhibit was brought from Italy, Egypt and Greece. The exhibits are displayed randomly in relation to the chronological sequence and cultures of civilizations of different eras.

Convex mirrors and colored window panes create an incredible atmosphere. Receives guests from Wednesday to Sunday. Working hours: 10: 00-17: 00. Visiting the exposition is free.

Whitechapel Gallery

The mysterious Whitechapel district of London, where Jack the Ripper murdered hundreds of years ago, houses an art gallery of avant-garde art and abstract expressionism. The museum was founded in 1901 and became one of the first publicly funded institutions. The gallery gained wide popularity thanks to the exhibition of paintings by Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Robert Crumb and other contemporary masters.

Today, the gallery's exhibition halls exhibit shocking and surreal sculptures, paintings and photographs. Of interest are unexpected and provocative performances that reflect pressing social problems in society. Whitechapel Gallery is open from 11:00 to 16:00 every day except Monday. Free admission.

Jack the Ripper Museum

Among the old architectural ensemble of the Victorian era of Whitechapel is the Jack the Ripper Museum. In 1888, a mysterious serial killer terrified local residents in a not-so-prosperous quarter of London. Jack's victims were women of easy virtue, whom he mercilessly cut, leaving no living space on the body.

The exhibits provide an opportunity for tourists to find out information about the details of crime investigations, victims of a maniac and the main suspects in murders. The walls are decorated with paintings, photographs and newspaper clippings detailing the circumstances of the atrocities. Museum visitors will go to the alleged room where Jack the Ripper lived. Here, they will be presented with numerous surgical instruments, medical vials, garments and other artifacts. Open every day from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Entrance fee is £ 12.50.

London museums on the map