Location: London
Top Things to do in London
Things to do in London, England: The Best History Museums
The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market…in London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture aficionados shouldn't miss the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. If you love fashion, Oxford Street has shopping galore. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will love seeing Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, of course).
Restaurants in London
1. The Charterhouse
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 258 reviews
The Charterhouse has been living the nation’s history since 1348. Founded as a medieval monastery of the Carthusian order, the site became a Tudor mansion, a boys’ school, and an almshouse, which it remains to this day. We provide accommodation for over 40 individuals known as ‘Brothers’ who form part of the community alongside staff, private and commercial tenants, and residents of the Infirmary. Our historic and peaceful 7 acre site is an inspiring location for filming and private events. In late January 2017 we opened our doors to the public for the first time in our 660 year history as part of the Revealing the Charterhouse project. Come and discover our fascinating story revealed through our new museum and learning programme; explore the site during a paid tour; and relax with tea and homemade cake in the café next door. We look forward to welcoming you.
Reviewed By lemonadepocket
Took a garden tour with the new head gardener and one of the Brothers (residents) of The Charterhouse. How I could have lived in London all my life and not known about this site, I don't know. We booked the garden tour in January and the whole season is sold out, so unless you can catch one of their unguided open garden evenings, you have to plan ahead. The small gardens are beautifully planted with lush borders and trees and plants of special interest. The additional historical notes pointed out by Brother Tim were an added bonus. After the tour, there is a small gift shop selling attractive souvenirs, including 'Behind Walls' containing glorious photographs of the development of the gardens. They also sell sweet pea seeds, a great way to take a memory home with you! This tour, together with the trip to the free museum has whetted our appetite to find out more. We will be booking to take a tour of the inside of the buildings with one of the Brothers. Book this! You will be amazed at what has been hiding in plain sight!
2. The British Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72,631 reviews
A museum of the world, for the world. Discover over two million years of human history and culture. Some of the world-famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies.
Reviewed By kb147 - Lafayette, United States
Nearly everyone has heard of the British Museum and with good reason. The collections are absolutely amazing. This is the home of the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and one of the best collections of Egyptian artifacts outside Egypt. (Controvery over whether Britain should be the custodian of these things aside.) But that is only the beginning. There are artifacts from all over the world: an amazing collection of Greek and Etruscan terracotta objects, Roman glass, the Sutton Hoo treasure, some of the most famous Maya stellae, beautiful torquoise mosaic objects of the Aztec culture; sections devoted to China, Japan, and the South Pacific. A serindipity of German "notgeld". And much more! One of the most wonderful areas is King George Library, the "Enlightenment Room": one could spend an entire day just there! That being said, one has to be prepared for crowds, particularly at popular exhibits like the Egyptian artifacts and King George Library. During the week there are numerous school groups clogging these areas and multiple tours in a variety of languages. One has to be patient: go see something 'unpopular' at peak times and try the popular things later. We actually saw the Rosetta Stone at one point with not another soul around. It helps to have several hours to devote here.
3. Imperial War Museums
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,428 reviews
Founded during the First World War, IWM London gives voice to the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people forced to live in a world torn apart by conflict. From the wonder of its world-famous atrium to the countless discoveries on each of its six floors, it is a place filled with the power to move, surprise and inspire.
Reviewed By MaleneSC - Copenhagen, Denmark
As a museology and English student (with a great interest in WW1) I love this museum! Their World War One gallery is incredible and so interesting! The museum is free and the guided tours (which I really recommend) are very fairly priced too, and very professional! I've seen their 'Making A New World' special commemorative exhibition and I was so moved and inspired. It was beautifully made. I really recommend this museum to anyone interested in military history (especially WW1) and to anyone in general, it really is worth a visit!
4. Museum of London
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,737 reviews
Step inside the Museum of London for an unforgettable journey through the capital’s turbulent past. Discover prehistoric London, see how the city changed under Romans and Saxons, wonder at medieval London and examine the tumultuous years when London was ravaged by civil wars, plague and fire. Then venture into the Galleries of Modern London where you can walk the streets of Victorian London, take a stroll in recreated pleasure gardens and marvel at the magnificent Lord Mayor’s Coach. Free entry. Open Monday to Sunday, 10am - 6pm (galleries close at 5.40pm). Closed 24-26 December.
Reviewed By 989pezza - Oxford, United Kingdom
Fantastic museum; one of the best in London, and it's absolutely free. It traces the history of the capital from prehistoric times before it even existed as a city through the Stone Age, the Roman occupation, Medieval London, the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian periods, right through to the present day, plus everything in between. The earlier periods are housed on the upper floor then from Victorian London onwards, it's down to the lower floor. The whole pace is packed with interesting artefacts and well thought out displays. For me the star of the show is Victorian Walk: a superb recreation of a Victorian shopping street, featuring all the shops (and a pub) set up as you would expect to find them about 150 years ago. This is a 'must visit' museum, when in London.
5. Natural History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36,863 reviews
A center of scientific excellence in the discovery of taxonomy and biodiversity, this world-famous museum promotes the discovery and enjoyment of the natural world through such exciting exhibits as the Life and Earth Galleries, wildlife garden and geological collections.
Reviewed By markn71 - Loughborough, United Kingdom
One of the best museums, in my opinion, in the world!!! Fun, entertaining and most importantly educational!! From the fantastic blue whale skeleton in the main entrance to the special human biology and moon sections difficult to take it all in and even harder to ensure you cover everything. All exhibits were well presented, well explained and at the correct level of complexity. Loads of interactive things for the kids and adults. I’m sure we missed loads so we will be visiting again.
6. Jewish Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 295 reviews
The Jewish Museum London is for people of all backgrounds and faiths to explore British Jewish heritage, identity and culture. Set against a spacious and modern architectural backdrop with displays across four permanent galleries, the museum brings the Jewish story to life, placing it in a wider context of British history. Our education programmes, exhibitions and events encourage a sense of discovery and creativity and tell the story of Jewish history, culture and religion in an innovative and compelling way.
Reviewed By Q2400ECsandras - Maringa, Brazil
A rich place that makes us think about religion, tradition, migration, life and death. It makes us remember that the history of mankind is made of people and their actions... Definitely worth the visit!
7. British Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,916 reviews
Open to all visitors seven-days-a-week, this superb building by Sir Colin St John Wilson offers events, special exhibitions and a Treasures Gallery that displays over 200 items, including Magna Carta, a Gutenberg Bible and lyrics by the Beatles.
Reviewed By hilaryt364 - Arlington, United States
The Treasures room at the British Library houses an amazing collection of documents including a wonderful exhibit on the Magna Carta, da Vinci's notebooks, Beatles music, classical music, the history of printing and many manuscripts from British literature. The library was not crowded, was easy to access and was a very pleasant visit. The Magna Carta alone was worth the trip for a family with school age children but the quality of the exhibit and the overall facilities made the trip more enjoyable.
8. Queen Elizabeth II Great Court
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Part of the British Museum, this glass-covered atrium over the museum’s central courtyard contains priceless sculptures in the forecourt along with a restaurant, café, education center and center for young adults.
Reviewed By Koshkha - Northampton, United Kingdom
I love the work of the architect Norman Foster and the Great Court at the British Museum is one of his most accessible and instantly admirable works. Whilst the BM - like many of London's great museums - is a work of art in its entirety, the Great Court really does gild the lily. There's an amazing sense of space, light, and a feeling of being outdoors whilst indoors (always handy with London's weather) and the criss-cross patterns chop the courtyard into little diamond shapes whenever the sun comes out. The museum is free to enter and most people will want to stay for at least half a day, but if you're really in a rush or you love buildings more than their contents, just run in and have a quick look, grab a coffee and look UP.
9. Freud Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 341 reviews
Discover the story of psychoanalysis, see Freud's study, extraordinary collection and iconic couch. This beautiful house in leafy Hampstead was the home of Sigmund Freud and his family when they fled from Nazi rule in Austria in 1938. It remained the family home until Freud's daughter Anna, a pioneer of child psychoanalysis, died in 1982. Then at her wish it became a Museum. The centrepiece is Freud’s study, with his now iconic psychoanalytic couch and collection of antiquities, preserved as they were in his lifetime. The Museum offers a lively programme of events, courses and conferences, as well as a research resource, education service and venue hire for private functions.
Reviewed By vadimchleborodov - Kaunas, Lithuania
To be able to see the place where this great person spent a few last years of his life and to be able to see his authentic collection of books and antique souvenirs was something special... And the famous couch, on which psychotherapy emerged, you just have to see it...
10. Churchill War Rooms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22,912 reviews
Discover the secrets of the Second World War in the underground nerve centre where Churchill and his war cabinet lived and worked.
Reviewed By 31cheriel - Melbourne, Australia
We were kept fully interested for 3 and a half hours .. this was so informative and even our teenagers were engaged the whole time.. Loved every part of this history tour.. you see Churchill map room, his sleeping quarters, the tiny kitchen, and the phone room.. and loads more.. can't imagine how hard what they all had to do in such small quarters.. well done Chuchhill and team..
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