8 Must-See Museums and Historical Sites in London
Are you planning a trip to visit London and looking to explore its rich history?
London is an epicenter for history and culture. There are so many things to do and important sites to see that the options can become overwhelming.
From palaces to burial grounds and everything in between, you can’t visit London without spending at least a little time learning about its famous (and infamous) history.
My husband and I love learning about history and spent our last trip to this city exploring everything history related it has to offer. So, keep reading to find my top 8 must-see Museums and Historical Sites in London.
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1. British Museum
The first on our list of must-see Museums and Historical Sites in London is the British Museum.
This museum was originally opened in 1759 and was the first national public museum in the world. It is quite expansive, and you could easily spend all day wandering through the galleries and immersing yourself in more than two million years of human history.
What to See?
Our favorite area of the museum was the Egyptian exhibit. They have an in-depth collection that includes one of the museums most notable objects – the Rosetta Stone.
Some other famous pieces at the British Museum include the Bust of Ramesses the Great and the Crouching Venus Sculpture.
Know Before You Go
One of the great parts about the British Museum is that there is free admission. However, it can become very crowded, so it is recommended that you book a ticket in advance to reserve your spot.
When you arrive at the museum, they will split you into two different entry lines based upon if you have a pre-booked ticket. This helped to fast track the security and entry process.
There are also special exhibitions you can visit with purchased ticket. Currently, tickets are available for Silk Roads and Hew Locke: what have we here? Both are available to book through February 2025.
The museum is open between the hours of 10AM- 5PM except on Fridays where it remains open until 8:30PM. I highly recommend visiting earlier in the day to allow for plenty of time to explore the collections.
2. Tower Of London.
Second on my list of the must-see Museums and Historical Sites in London is the Tower of London.
This historical landmark is most famously known today for the crown jewels; however, it was previously a notorious prison and execution site. This ended up being one of our favorite stops on the trip due to the rich history and ability to explore the vast grounds of the fortress.
What to See?
Our favorite part of visiting the Tower of London was viewing the Crown Jewels. It is a MUST on everyone’s list. However, there is so much else to see and do.
We really enjoyed seeing the Line of Kings which hosts historic armor and other pieces made for nobleman and soldiers.
Note: If you’re anything like me and don’t like birds – beware! The Ravens are quite famous at the Tower of London and are even known as the Guardians of the Tower.
Know Before You Go
To visit the Tower of London, you can pre-book a ticket and a time slot. If you’re traveling more last minute, you also have the option to purchase tickets at the tower hill ticket office.
Audio Guides are also available to purchase with your ticket. We did not elect to purchase them this time and didn’t feel like we missed out on any information.
Tickets are currently priced at 35 pounds per adult with discounts for seniors and those under 18.
The Tower of London is open from 9AM – 5:30PM daily. I HIGHLY recommend going as early as possible. We booked a slot for 9AM and it wasn’t too crowded when we arrived but by the time we left it was PACKED.
Pro Tip: Once you have entered the Tower of London, walk directly back to the Crown Jewels. There is always a very long line to enter this exhibit but if you arrive early enough you can avoid the long queue and when finished, just retrace your steps to continue the rest of your tour.
3. Westminster Abbey
The third stop on our list of must-see Museums and Historical Sites in London is Westminster Abbey.
Westminster Abbey was an incredible stop on our London history tour. It has served as the coronation site since 1066, hosted numerous royal weddings, conducts daily worship and is the burial home for countless important figures.
Westminster Abbey has been a place of worship since the tenth century and still has daily services. These services are open to the public to attend, and their Evensong service is sung by the famous choir of Westminster Abbey.
What to See?
Westminster Abbey is open to public for tours and there is plenty to learn and see. In the Abbey you will find the Coronation Chair, which is one of the most notable items housed here. It is the chair on which a British Monarch sits when they are crowned at their coronations.
You will also find Poets Corner in the Abbey. This is my favorite area to visit. Many famous writers, poets and playwrights are either commemorated or buried here. This is where you can find the monument dedicated to William Shakespeare.
Know Before You Go
There are many different options for visiting Westminster Abbey. If you’d like to take part in a service, I recommend attending Mass, however, note that no photography is allowed during this time.
You can also plan your visit during general opening times Monday through Friday 9:30AM – 3:30PM or Saturday 9AM – 3PM.
If you are looking for a more personalized experience, you can book a 90-minute tour with a Verger. This tour includes a visit to the Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor which is not open to general visitors.
You do need to book your tickets and time slots in advance. Currently tickets are being sold for about 29 pounds per adult not including any special tours or galleries.
Pro Tip: During our last visit, we added on a ticket to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries. It is in the 13th century Triforium and is 100% worth viewing.
4. Churchill War Rooms
The fourth stop on our list of must-see Museums and Historical Sites in London is the Churchill War Rooms.
Visiting the Churchill War Rooms was an activity that I was not the most excited for and I only allotted about two hours into our itinerary. Well…this turned out to be an amazing museum and we spent much longer than two hours. I really recommend you take the time to visit!
The Churchill War Rooms were the secret underground headquarters for the British government during World War II. The rooms were used as a meeting place during the air raids and were apparently utilized more than 115 times.
What to See?
When you visit the Churchill War Rooms, you will walk through the hallways and see what life would have been like during the nights of World War II. It was very neat to view the rooms that appeared like nothing had been changed or touched since the day the war ended. It gives great insight into what life during war time was like.
There is also a wonderful museum here that teaches all about the life of Winston Churchill and his war efforts. This was a very interactive museum with lots of videos and hands-on displays for both adults and children.
Know Before You Go
Tickets for the War Rooms are sold for about 32 pounds per adult. The War Rooms are open from 9:30AM – 6PM, but (like all museums in London) I recommend getting there as early as possible.
Booking in advance guarantees you access but you can also purchase tickets the day of your visit when available.
Pro Tip: The Churchill War Rooms even offer an afternoon tea experience on select dates.
5. Natural History Museum
The fifth stop on our list of must-see Museums and Historical Sites in London is the Natural History Museum.
The Natural History Museum is a very large museum in the South Kensington are of London that displays a vast range of specimen and objects from different time periods in natural history. The museum cares for more than 80 million objects. That’s crazy!
This is a must-see museum especially if you are traveling with children. However, I think it is worth a visit for adults too!
What To See?
The most notable attraction at the Natural History Museum is their Dinosaur exhibit. They have one of the world’s most important dinosaur collections with 69 different specimen types and 157 species.
More recently, the museum unveiled a blue whale skeleton that is 25.2 metres long and is hanging from the ceiling. We were able to walk underneath this massive skeleton and get a true picture of how incredibly massive this creature was (the largest animal to ever live!).
Know Before You Go
Admission to the museum is free, however, a donation is always appreciated. You do need to reserve a ticket online to guarantee your admission time. We were running late and showed up 2 hours past our admission slot but were able to enter without any problems.
The museum is so expansive it would be very difficult to see everything in one visit. We grabbed a map when we entered and selected the top three attractions to visit and marked the rest for next time.
The museum is open daily from 10AM – 5:50PM but was very popular. I believe visiting early in the day or later in the afternoon could help in avoiding the crowds.
6. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
The sixth stop on our list of must-see Museums and Historical sites in London is Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
Big Ben has become synonymous with being British and stands for democracy and history. Big Ben is often the name used to indicate this historical site, however, “Big Ben” actually refers to the Great Bell in in the Elizabeth Tower. It is located at the north end of the houses of parliament in Westminster, Central London.
The Houses of Parliament are located nearby where you can get a glimpse into the working life of the UK government. Both of these historical sites have beautiful architecture and definitely make you feel like you’re in the UK when you along the their streets.
What to See?
Touring inside Big Ben is a great option for those who are interested in learning more about the inner workings of the clock tower and its history. It is an exclusive tour and advanced booking is a must. Typically, tickets are available three months in advance of your desired tour date and sell out quickly.
During your tour you will climb 334 steps to the top of the tower, stand next to the bell as it strikes the hour (earplugs provided!) and walk behind the dials.
There are restrictions to who may participate in this tour so be sure to check the guidelines before purchasing.
Touring the Houses of Parliament can be equally as exciting. There are options for self-guided or walking with a professional tour guide. Here you can learn more about all the work that takes place inside these government buildings.
Know Before You Go
There are restrictions to who may participate in the tour of Big Ben. Be sure to check the guidelines before purchasing but you must be over the age of 11, able to climb 334 stairs and be okay with loud noises.
Note: Outside Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament you will find the iconic red pay phone booths. Long lines can form here to for tourists to snap their iconic photos with Big Ben in the background.
7. St. Paul’s Cathedral
The seventh stop on our list of must-see Museums and Historical Sites in London is St. Paul’s Cathedral.
This Cathedral is one of the most famous and recognizable spots in all of London. It was even the tallest building in London for almost 250 years. It’s dome is one of the largest in the entire world, reaching 366 feet high.
Like Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral is still a working church so there are active services happening on a daily basis.
What to See?
At the Cathedral, you can always book a normal tour, however, there are additional options if you want a more unique experience. Check their calendar of events to see what is happening and the latest programs and additions.
Visit for a worship service, concert, famous works of art and even see what is taking place in special exhibitions.
Know Before You Go
St. Paul’s Cathedral is open Monday – Saturday for tours/sightseeing. The doors are open from 8:30am (10:30 on Wednesdays) until 4:30pm.
All ticket types will include your choice of audio guide or a free tour guide with a staff member. These tickets will allow you access to the first floor, crypt and access to climb the dome.
Currently, tickets are priced at about 25 pounds per adult. Of course, if you wanted to attend for a service, entry is free.
8. National Gallery
The eighth stop on our list of must-see Museums and Historical Sites in London is The National Gallery.
The National Gallery is home to multiple famous works of art and is a great place to visit.
I’ll admit that I don’t usually volunteer to visit many art galleries as it is not my favorite way to visit a new city, however, the “free” price tag was enticing, and I was so glad we went. Fine art is not always accessible so I highly recommend taking advantage while you can.
The National Gallery is in Trafalgar square which makes it super easy to access and you don’t have to go far out of your way to add it into your day.
What To See?
There are multiple notable pieces located in The National Gallery but if you’re like me and want to make the most out of your visit (and understand what you’re looking at) I have listed the top pieces below.
- The Arnolfini Portrait’ by Jan van Eyck
- The Ambassadors’ by Hans Holbein the Younger
- ‘Sunflowers’ by Vincent van Gogh
- ‘The Fighting Temeraire’ by Joseph Mallord William Turner
- ‘The Virgin of the Rocks’ by Leonardo da Vinci
Know Before You Go
As I mentioned previously, entrance to The National Gallery is free. This is very helpful, especially if you’re trying to watch your budget while visiting the city.
Similarly to other museums and historical sites in London, it is helpful if you book ticket reservations in advance. We did this and still to wait in a small line before entering.
The National Gallery is open daily from 10am-6pm.
Pro Tip: The gallery stays open on Fridays until 9pm so paired with a picnic dinner, you have a great budget-friendly date night!
So, what are you waiting for? Book your next trip to London, put on your thinking cap, and get ready to learn about its rich history and culture.
