London may be one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit, but there are plenty of free museums (they charge only for certain). You can see ten of London’s greatest museums without paying one pence: the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, the Tate (Britain and Modern), Imperial War Museum, British Museum, National Gallery, Museum of London, and the National Portrait Gallery. Each of these museums offer something different and give visitors a glimpse of London’s culture, heritage, and history. Additionally, many of these museums are located in beautiful, historic buildings that are worth exploring.

The Natural History Museum

London’s Natural History Museum in South Kensington is impressive, offering both traditional and interactive displays that please adults and children alike. The museum has two galleries: the Life Gallery, which covers plant and animal life on Earth, as well as evolution, and the Earth Galleries, which covers things such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and geology. The most popular exhibit is the dinosaurs, which includes fossilized skeletons and eggs in addition to animatronic models of such dinosaurs as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. There is also a bird exhibit, which features the Dodo, a mammal exhibit, Creepy Crawlies (avoid if you’re arachnophobic), and an exhibit that mimics a small-scale earthquake, among other exhibits too numerous to mention. The museum is very large, and you can easily spend several hours exploring it. There are several cafes scattered throughout, in case you need a refreshment break.

The V&A

The Victoria and Albert (also known as the V&A) Museum, also in South Kensington, has one of the world’s most extensive collections of art and design, which ranges across centuries. Its art collections cover British, European, Asian and Islamic styles. In the sculpture rooms, you will find copies of very famous statues, such as Michaelangelo’s David. The Medieval Treasury contains reliquaries and other masterpieces of the Middle Ages. In addition, there is also an interesting exhibit featuring textiles and dress, which covers 400 years of haute couture and in particular, courtly attire. Jewelry, metalwork, ceramics and glass also have their place in this expansive museum. Photography and twentieth century art and design find an audience here as well. It’s likely that you can’t get through the museum all in one day, so the best way to tackle it is to find the areas of most interest to you.