London is a city packed with world‑class museums, but some stand out not just for their collections, but for how breathtaking they look on camera.
Whether you’re drawn to ornate galleries, quirky hidden gems, or grand historic halls, these spots are guaranteed to fill your feed with beautiful shots.
From the atmospheric Sir John Soane’s Museum to the iconic Tower of London, here are my top ten most Instagrammable museums in London… from a Classical Art graduate who has spent many afternoons wandering through museums and galleries!
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Tucked away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, this eclectic house museum is full of architectural details and antiquities everywhere you look!
For an atmospheric experience, check out their candlelit evening tours.
Tate Britain
One of London’s most elegant galleries, Tate Britain is home to an incredible collection of British art.
The grand spiral staircase alone is a photographer’s dream, while the bright, airy rooms and classical details make every angle worth capturing.
You can find Tate Britain at Millbank, by the river near Vauxhall Bridge. It’s free to visit. I’d recommend pairing this one with a visit to the beautiful Westminster Abbey nearby!
The Old Operating Theatre Museum
The Old Operating Theatre is one of London’s lesser-known museums, but absolutely worth exploring.
A hidden gem in the attic of a church in Borough, this museum is packed with character.
The operating theatre itself tells a fascinating (and slightly grisly) story of 19th‑century surgery, but it’s the Herb Garret, filled with dried plants and apothecary jars, that makes the space so photogenic.
I was obsessed with the witchy apothecary vibes!
Check out my full review of the Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret for more pics.
The V&A
If I could only choose one museum to visit in London, it would be the Victoria and Albert Museum.
It really does have something for everyone in my opinion! I’m especially drawn to their fashion exhibitions and sculpture galleries.
And of course, their cafe is Instagram‑famous for a reason: tiled floors, ornate ceilings, and dreamy lighting.
Side-note: have you visited the new V&A East Storehouse in Stratford yet? It’s incredible!
Natural History Museum
One of the most popular museums for tourists to visit, the Natural History Museum is famous for a reason!
The gothic building itself is absolutely gorgeous, with an incredible grand staircase and dramatic arches.
Be warned that this one is, of course, very busy! So try to avoid peak times if you’re aiming to capture the best shots.
It’s right down the road from the V&A, so you can see both in the same day.
Wallace Collection
I only recently visited the Wallace Collection near Marylebone for the first time, and I’m not sure why I hadn’t checked it out before!
Each room is meticulously designed, all in different colour palettes. I was amazed by how the wallpapers, chair upholstery, furniture and paintings fit each space so seamlessly.
Here you’ll find everything from antique miniatures and ceramics to a whole gallery filled with armour and weapons.
This free museum tucked away near busy Oxford Street is a haven for art and history lovers. Plus, it’s just a short walk from the famous Daunt Books!
British Museum
I couldn’t write this post without including the British Museum.
Famed for a vast collection including the Rosetta Stone, and controversially, the Greek marbles from the Parthenon, you could easily spend an entire day here.
But the building itself is iconic, too.
The sweeping glass roof of the Great Court is stunning, and the Neoclassical facade outside is just as photogenic.
Hampton Court Palace
Once the home of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is a bit out-of-the-way if you’re in central London, but it’s worth making the trip down at least once!
You might recognize the courtyard in the picture below on the right, because scenes from Bridgerton were filmed here.
Hampton Court boasts lovely gardens, and during certain times of the year, they host a Tulip Festival and RHS Garden Festival.
It’s also great fun around Halloween, with actors dressed up as ghosts, spooky stories, and in recent years, brilliant light projections on the buildings at night.
Tower of London
Continuing the Historic Royal Palaces trend, I had to include the iconic Tower of London in this list.
This iconic fortress on the north bank of the Thames has been everything from a royal palace to a prison, and it’s steeped in over 1,000 years of history, all of which makes it an endlessly fascinating place to photograph.
Although you can’t take photos of the Crown Jewels, the fortress itself is stunning (as are the ravens!).
Head up to the Wall Walk for a great view of Tower Bridge!
National Maritime Museum & Cutty Sark
Finishing off with a cheeky 2-in-1 here: the National Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark, both run by Royal Museums Greenwich.
I feel like the Maritime Museum is so underrated! I’ve been quite a few times over the past couple of years, exploring their core collection, astronomy photography exhibition and Pirates exhibition.
The older part of the building / the Royal Naval College are lovely, as is the park next to it! Make your way up the hill to the Royal Observatory for a lovely view over the city.
Just a short walk away is the Cutty Sark, the legendary 19th‑century tea clipper ship.
Suspended dramatically in a glass dry dock, it almost looks like it’s floating. You can capture unique angles from below the golden hull, or head up on deck for those classic ship‑on-the-river shots with the Thames as your backdrop.
London is overflowing with beautiful museums, but these are ten of my personal favourites for photography.
Whether you’re after moody, atmospheric corners or bright and airy galleries, I hope you found something here to inspire you.
Got any more recommendations? Let me know in the comments!
All the best,
