London Galleries and Museums

London museums are filled with an astonishing diversity of treasures from all over the world. Below are 15 of the city’s most important galleries and museums whose exhibits cater to most interests. Some of these collections started from the legacies of 18th and 19th century explorers, traders, and collectors. Others specialize in one aspect of art, history, science or technology.

Wallace Collection – Frans Hals’s Laughing Cavalier is a start attraction in this museum of art, furniture, and armor.

Science Museum – Newcomen’s steam engine of 1712 is just one of many exhibits that cater for both novice and expert.

Natural History Museum – All of life is here, with vivid displays on everything from dinosaurs to butterflies.

Victoria and Albert – It is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts.

National Portrait Gallery – Important British figures are documented in paintings and photographs.

National Gallery – The world-famous paintings in its collection are mainly European and date from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

Museum of London – London’s history since prehistoric times is told with exhibits like this 1920s lift door.

Tower of London – Crown Jewels and the Royal armories are here.

Design Museum – New inventions and prototypes sit next to familiar, every-day objects from past and present.

Courtauld Institue – Well-known works, such as Manet’s Bar at the Folies Bergere, line its galleries.

Tate Gallery – Two outstanding national collections,, of British art from 1550 and of international modern art, are housed here.

Imperial War Museum– It uses displays, film and special effects to recreate 20th-century battles.

Museum of the Moving Image– Actors and life-sized models, like film director, bring the camera to life in this museum.