For history lovers, there’s no shortage of places to dive into the past. But with so many museums, where should you start? Here are the top 5 history museums in London that every curious mind should visit.
The British Museum
Best for: Ancient civilizations and world history
Location: Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury
Admission: Free (some exhibitions ticketed)
Home to over eight million works, the British Museum is one of the world’s greatest treasure troves. Go early to beat the crowds and don’t miss the spectacular glass-roofed Great Court.
Imperial War Museum London
Best for: Modern warfare and personal stories of conflict
Location: Lambeth Road, South London
Admission: Free (charges apply for some exhibitions)
This museum doesn’t just focus on military history—it dives deep into how war has shaped lives across the 20th and 21st centuries. Through immersive displays and personal artifacts, it covers both world wars and modern conflicts. The Holocaust Exhibition and WWI galleries are particularly powerful and thought-provoking.
Best for: WWII buffs and political history
Location: King Charles Street, Westminster
Admission: Paid (advanced booking recommended)
Step back into the nerve center of Britain’s WWII efforts. Hidden beneath the streets of Westminster, the Churchill War Rooms remain exactly as they were left in 1945. Explore the top-secret bunker where Churchill and his team made life-or-death decisions, and get a personal look at the man himself in the Churchill Museum.
National Maritime Museum
Best for: Naval history and British sea power
Location: Greenwich
Admission: Free (some exhibitions ticketed)
This sprawling museum in maritime Greenwich tells the story of Britain’s relationship with the sea. Discover tales of exploration, trade, piracy, and empire through beautifully curated exhibits. Don’t miss Admiral Nelson’s uniform from Trafalgar, complete with bullet hole.
Museum of London
Best for: The history of London itself
Location: London Wall (relocating to Smithfield by 2026)
Admission: Free
If you’re fascinated by how London became the city it is today, this is your place. The Museum of London takes you from prehistoric settlements on the Thames to the swinging sixties. Highlights include Roman artifacts, Great Fire of London exhibits, and a recreated Victorian street.
London Like a Local 