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Rent By Owner’s insider guide to 18 of London’s top museums and galleries details must-see exhibits for every niche, interest, and hobby. Plus, discover hotels near British museums to help you pull back the curtains to a world of art and culture!
Gather Round, Culture Vultures
Perhaps, you’re a full-blown art buff, a casual enjoyer of the world’s visual history, or somewhere in between. Maybe, you’re traveling with your kids, hoping to nurture their passion for the arts at an early age. Or you may have found yourself in a hotel near several British museums and need to know which one to visit first.
Regardless of your purpose, London serves as an excellent place to visit this year.
The bustling city houses incredible cultural and historical institutions that inspire, educate, and provoke the senses. It is estimated that London holds about a third of the UK’s total art galleries and half of the entire hanging space in the country.
If you’re lucky enough to book your stay in one of the many hotels near famed British museums, you can hop from one exhibit to the next by foot or train. Of course, we at Rent By Owner are manufacturers of such luck, so read on!
Here are the must-see art institutions in London:
Museum of London
The Museum of London showcases the city’s history from prehistoric times to the present. It does so through reconstructed interiors, street scenes, and original artifacts from its archaeological digs. It’s a great place to step back in time and gain perspective on how the world, or at least London– has evolved.
BONUS: It’s Close To The Barbican Art Gallery
The Barbican Art Gallery, located within the Barbican performing arts center, offers photography, art, and design exhibitions. Check out The Curve, the gallery’s free exhibition space.
Another Bonus — Its Offshoot, The Museum of London Docklands, Is Also Worth a Visit.
The Museum of London Docklands displays London’s history as a port through various exhibits. Sailortown is a 19th-century London replica, and London, Sugar & Slavery highlights London’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.
Be sure to book a stay at a hotel near this British museum, like The Montague on The Gardens, The Bloomsbury Hotel, or Bedford Hotel, to make the most of your cultural holiday.
Bank of England Museum
Discover the history of the Bank of England, from its establishment in 1694 to the present day, at the Bank of England Museum. Experience the thrill of holding a real gold bar and walking through the museum’s gold corridor. This is the perfect stop for visitors with a particular interest in financial systems or just travelers with a taste for luxury.
Freud Museum
Discover the life and legacy of the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. Explore Freud’s study and its fascinating collection of his personal belongings and original furnishings. Immerse yourself in the perplexing world of the unconscious mind. Understand how Freud’s work changed how we think about human thoughts and behavior.
Twist Museum
With its multi-sensory and interactive experiences, the Twist Museum will surely be a hit for visitors of all ages. Dive into a world of over 60 mind-bending illusions and discover how your brain interprets different stimuli.
Find the perfect hotel stay near this British museum so you can explore more of the area’s gift & specialty shops, bars & clubs, spas, plus other attractions that will stir your interest.
National Gallery
Van Gogh, Botticelli, Turner, Rembrandt, and Renoir are just some of the many famous artists showcased in the National Gallery. The site holds an abundant collection of over 2,000 paintings, ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. This is not just a gallery; it’s a virtual goldmine of art!
Grant Museum of Zoology
If the documentaries aren’t cutting it, pay this museum a visit. It houses 68,000 specimens ranging from the strange to the bizarre, including a jar of moles and a skeleton of the extinct quagga. Hotels near this British museum offer the perfect base for exploring other nearby attractions via available bus tours of the city.
V&A Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum has over 2.3 million objects on display — from decorative art and design to fashion and textiles. Take it from us. A visit to this museum alone might require an entire day!
British Library
This one feels a bit like cheating, but the British Library does house literary treasures of old. Nerds and geeks will get a kick out of seeing the Magna Carta, Shakespeare’s First Folio, and Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook.
Design Museum
Tired of baroque, cubism, and renaissance art? The Design Museum is for you. With a range of temporary exhibitions, pop-ups, and displays available for booking, it offers a comprehensive look at the world of contemporary visual design.
Tate Modern
Here’s another one for contemporary art lovers. Discover famous artists such as Warhol, Dalí, and Hockney, as well as intriguing installations in the free, permanent collection at the museum.
British Museum
Well-loved and frequently visited, the British Museum is one of the most famous museums in the UK. It is home to the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and artifacts, and Parthenon Sculptures.
This is also a good starting point for first-time tourists or exhibit hoppers, as there are many hotels near the British Museum.
So, if you’re looking for hotels near british museums or the perfect place to stay for your gallery hopping, you can check out this modern vacation rental near The National Gallery.
Science Museum
Experience the wonders of science through hands-on exploration, interactive exhibits, and incredible inventions. Even better, immerse yourself in their IMAX 3D Theater and through time. Get lost in the ocean’s dark depths, then soar through the cosmos, all within mere minutes!
Sir John Soane’s Museum
This is the perfect next stop for those who enjoyed the Bank of England Museum. Sir John Soane was the architect of the Bank of England. In this museum, you’ll get to see over 30,000 architectural drawings. Since he was an obsessive collector of art, you’ll also find various antiquities, artworks by Hogarth and Turner, and the sarcophagus of King Seti I.
Charles Dickens Museum
Ah, the bookworm’s delight. The Charles Dickens Museum is set in the very building where the renowned writer lived from 1837 to 1839. Careful restoration has brought back to life the very rooms in which the man crafted timeless works. It also houses a collection of letters, pictures, books, and temporary exhibitions.
Hayward Gallery
Architects and enthusiasts will enjoy the brutalist building enclosing the Hayward Gallery. Showcased here are experimental and innovative works by artists from around the world. The Hayward Gallery also regularly features cultural shows through its year-round exhibition schedule, so make sure you book a hotel near this popular British art museum so you don’t miss the show!
The Photographers’ Gallery
Shutter-happy visitors will feel at home in The Photographers’ Gallery. Apart from spotlighting works from new and established photographers, the gallery also hosts events and talks. There is even a shop inside that sells prints for those who want a keepsake.
Natural History Museum
If you’re visiting with children or people who are children at heart, this is the stop for you. The Dinosaurs gallery, the blue whale model, and the state-of-the-art Darwin Centre are only a few of the wonders that await. Examine hundreds of specimens and get to see scientists at work! Discover spacious rentals or hotel accommodations near the Natural History Museum for your large group via Rent By Owner.
Museum of Brands
Yup, we’re ending this on a nostalgic note. Get pushed back in time by revisiting the famous packaging and adverts of old and beloved brands. Of its 12,000-item collection, there are even brands from decades back! Examine Victorian products and packages in the flesh, and see how times have — or have not — truly changed.
Why It’s Best to Stay At Hotels Near British Museums and Vacation Rentals
Staying at hotels near British museums and vacation rentals can offer a range of benefits for visitors looking to explore London’s cultural scene. Firstly, the convenience of being in close proximity to the museums allows for more time to be spent exploring the exhibits and less time spent on travel.
Additionally, staying near museums provides easy access to other popular tourist attractions in the area, making it an ideal location for those looking to make the most of their trip. Vacation rentals offer the added benefit of a more authentic experience of living like a local, as well as the flexibility of having your own space and cooking facilities. With so many great accommodation options, you’ll be sure to find a place that meets your needs and enhances your London experience.
Collect Memories & Exhibit Your Aesthetic Travels with Rent By Owner!
Save yourself travel time by finding vacation rentals and hotels near British museums in London. Find accommodations suited to your style, group size, and artful tastes using our easy-to-use search filters.
Pinching pennies? Not a problem. Rent By Owner brings you the best deals and discounts, whether you’re planning ahead or booking last minute. Reserve your stay now!
TLDR
Discover 18 of London’s best museums and galleries with our insider guide, tailored for every art enthusiast, history buff, or simply curious traveler. From the Museum of London, showcasing the city’s history, to the intriguing Design Museum, and the world-renowned British Museum, there’s no shortage of experiences awaiting you in this bustling metropolis. Immerse yourself in the diverse art scene, explore fascinating historical exhibitions, and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich culture and history that fills every corner of the city.
To make the most of your cultural holiday, be sure to find hotels or vacation rentals near these fantastic British museums using Rent By Owner. With our curated selection, you can save travel time and easily explore more of the area’s attractions, whether you’re traveling solo or with family and friends. Don’t miss out on these must-see art institutions, and collect unforgettable memories while experiencing the wonders of London’s rich art and culture scene.
Featured Image Credit: Stephen Kidd on Unsplash
