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Hello museum lovers!
Today I’m sharing 10 Most Instagrammable London Museums… in the humble opinion of a museum nerd.
Since you’re here, I’m going to assume that you either live in London, or you’re planning a cultural trip to London.
You’re in the right place to find a bunch of pretty museums and galleries for the ‘gram! (or TikTok aesthetic videos if that’s more your thing).
Some of these London museums are famous across the world, for their iconic architecture and brilliant collections. But you may well stumble across a museum you’ve never heard of!
Don’t forget that online museum tours are great too, so if you don’t have the chance to visit London, make sure to check out my post on the 50 best virtual museum experiences.
Visit these 10 most Instagrammable London museums to find the perfect backdrop for your Insta feed.
Soak up the art and culture while you’re there, and please make sure to check which areas you’re allowed to take photos in.
Did you know that London has over 170 museums? I couldn’t find a specific number, but some sources claim there are around 230 museums in this city!
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a worldwide icon and a must-see for any London tourist.
The Romanesque architecture is sublime. No wonder it’s all over Instagram… a #LightAcademia dream!
The Natural History Museum cares for over 80 million objects and functions as a scientific research facility. You could spend hours there exploring all kinds of fossils, anthropology, and wildlife artefacts.
The famous diplodocus, known as Dippy, returned from tour on May 27th 2022. Make sure to book a free ticket to see the dinosaur!
The Natural History Museum is open 7 days a week, 10am-5:50pm (last entry 5:30pm). Admission is free.
The Wallace Collection
This one has become pretty popular on Instagram in recent years, thanks to its gorgeous pink cafe!
The Wallace Collection is in Hertford House, Manchester Square. The museum occupies the former house of the Seymour family (Marquesses of Hertford). The collection was built by Sir Richard Wallace, boasting decorative and fine arts from the 15th to 19th centuries, including many important French 18th-century paintings, arms, porcelain, and furniture.
The Wallace Collection has 25 galleries for you to explore, featuring stunning displays, and of course, the Instagram-famous pink cafe. Did I mention that it’s free to visit?
Like most of London’s best free museums, the Wallace Collection puts on paid temporary exhibits, which help support the care and maintenance of the museum. Their recent exhibit, “Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts” looked incredible, I’m gutted that I missed it!
If you’re interested in Old Master paintings by artists such as Titian, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, or Gainsborough, the Wallace Collection is a must-see.
The Wallace Collection is open 7 days a week, 10am-5pm. Admission is free.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Sir John Soane was a renowned architect who specialised in the Neo-Classical style.
You can peruse his incredible house, filled with antiquities, sculptures, paintings by artists like Turner and Hogarth, architectural models, and furniture.
Sir John Soane’s Museum is one of my all-time favourites – it’s truly extraordinary. Every time I visit I spot something I’ve not seen before!
Sir John Soane’s Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm). Admission is free.
British Museum
Unsurprisingly, I had to feature The British Museum, for its iconic dome ceiling.
The BM is a must-see museum for anyone visiting London. I’ve spent many hours wandering around the beautiful free exhibits, featuring everything from Ancient Egyptian sarcophagi to a room full of coins!
Oh, and if you’re into the dark academia aesthetic, make sure to check out the Enlightenment Gallery. It’s on the right-hand side when you enter from the main entrance.
The British Museum is open 7 days a week, 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm). Admission is free. On Fridays, The British Museum is open until 8:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm.
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
If you’ve only got time to visit one museum in London, I recommend the V&A.
Why? It has such a variety of exhibits, surrounded by beautiful architecture. They even have a stunning library!
Art, fashion, design, architecture… what’s not to love?
The V&A is right next to the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, so why not spend a day exploring them all?
The Victoria & Albert Museum is open 7 days a week, 10am-5:45pm. Admission is free. On Fridays, the V&A is open until 10pm.
The Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College
While there are several Instagrammable museums in Greenwich, The Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College is the one I’m featuring today. It’s all over Instagram, and I can see why!
Known as “Britain’s Sistine Chapel”, The Painted Hall is covered in the finest Baroque art by Sir James Thornhill.
How stunning is the Gaia exhibit pictured below?! Unfortunately, Gaia is no longer on display, but the Painted Hall is still worth a visit.
If you love a painted ceiling, make sure to also check out The Banqueting House in Whitehall. The ceiling by Rubens is stunning!
The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College is open 7 days a week, 10am-5pm. Admission for a year of unlimited entry costs £12.50 online.
Hampton Court Palace
London is home to many Royal Palaces, and Hampton Court is my favourite one.
Home to Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is a must-see for anyone interested in Tudor history.
Did you know that scenes from Bridgerton were filmed at Hampton Court?
Oh, and don’t forget the beautiful gardens!
Hampton Court Palace is open 7 days a week, 10am – 5:30pm. Last entry is at 4:30pm. Admission is £26.10, or free with a Historic Royal Palaces Membership (£62 per year).
The Old Operating Theatre Museum
This is one of London’s lesser-known museums. Right by Borough station, in the attic of a church… is the Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret.
I wrote a blog post all about The Old Operating Theatre if you’d like to find out more about this secret museum!
The Old Operating Theatre Museum is open Thursdays – Sundays, 10:30am – 5pm. Last entry is at 4:15pm. Admission is £7.50.
Tate Britain
Tourists flock to the Tate Modern, but don’t forget about Tate Britain!
One of London’s many free galleries, Tate Britain is a journey through over 500 years of British art.
You’ll see works by David Hockney, JMW Turner, William Blake, and more.
The building itself is absolutely stunning – no wonder the staircase pictured below is an Instagram favourite!
Tate Britain is open 7 days a week, 10am – 6pm. Admission is free.
Strawberry Hill House
Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham truly is instagram goals.
The exterior of this Gothic villa by Horace Walpole is reminiscent of a castle, and the interior is equally stunning.
Open to visitors for 250 years, visitors can peruse the collection of paintings and objects, and explore the beautiful garden!
Strawberry Hill House is open Sunday – Wednesday, 11am – 4pm. Last entry is at 3pm. Admission is £12.50.
That’s it for my top 10 most Instagrammable London museums!
Have you visited any of them?
All the best,
Wow, what an incredible list of Instagrammable museums in London! It’s like a treasure trove for culture and aesthetics. Your recommendations are spot on, and I appreciate the insight about each museum. London’s art and history scene is truly something to behold. Thanks for this fantastic guide; it’s a perfect reference for both locals and travelers. Keep sharing your museum adventures and insights – they’re an inspiration for fellow museum lovers like me!