Don’t miss a chance to get absorbed by the cultural heritage of England and visit at least some of London’s outstanding museums.
Admission to many of London's museums and galleries is included in the GoSee card, which costs £10 (good for one day), £16 (three days) or £26 (seven days). Or buy a family card for £32 (three days) or £50 (seven days). The cards are available from London Tourist Information Centres and most participating museums and galleries.
British Museum—In a classical columned and domed building of 1857, this museum accommodates one of the world's greatest collections of antiquities (and a vast crowd of tourists). You'll have to walk more than 2 mi/3 km to take in all 94 galleries. The newly completed Great Court is a dramatic new space, and be sure you stop at the magnificent old Reading Room (once a hangout for such writers as Dickens, Eliot and Shaw) and the controversial Elgin Marbles, which Greece would like returned. Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. Guided tours Monday-Saturday at 10:45 am, 11:15 am, 1:45 pm and 2:15 pm; Sunday at 3 pm, 3:20 pm and 3:45 pm. Free. Special exhibitions cost about £4.50. Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, WC1. Phone 7636-1555. http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
Design Museum—The world's first museum dedicated to 20th- and 21st-century consumer-product design displays the sophisticated, the quirky and the downright unusual. Monday-Friday 11:30 am-6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 am-6 pm. £5.50 adults, reduced rates for seniors and children. 28 Shad Thames, Southbank, SE1. Phone 7378-6055. http://www.designmuseum.org
Dickens House Museum—This black-brick town house is where Dickens and his family lived for several years during the 1830s, while he wrote Nicholas Nickelby, The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist. Much of the original furniture has been retained—as well as items from Dickens' previous and subsequent homes. Most of the furnishings and personal effects on display have annotations describing their significance in Dickens' day-to-day routine. A small gift shop sells the author's novels and all sorts of memorabilia. Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm. £5 adults, reduced rates for seniors and children. 49 Doughty St., WC1. Phone 7405-2127.
Dulwich Picture Gallery—Designed by John Soane in 1811, this gallery houses a magnificent collection of paintings by Old Masters, including Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto. We think its reputation as one of the world's finest small museums is well deserved. Tuesday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am-5 pm. Also open bank-holiday Mondays. £4 adults, free for children. Free for everyone on Friday. Gallery Road, SE21. Phone 8693-5254. http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Imperial War Museum—Learn the history of war in the 20th century, with a particular emphasis on Britain and the Commonwealth. The museum's aim to give a human face to the subject ensures that exhibits rise far above a gruesome story of armory and death. You'll see weapons, art and documentation from those who lived through both World Wars, as well as strong audiovisual displays. Daily 10 am-6 pm. £5.50 adults, free for seniors and children. Lambeth Road, SE1. Phone 7416-5000. http://www.iwm.org.uk
London Transport Museum—This museum recounts the history of the city's Underground (subway), trains and double-decker buses. With the brilliant KidZones and simulators, it's a great place to take children. Daily 10 am-6 pm (Friday from 11 am). £5.95 adults, free for children. Covent Garden Piazza, WC2. Phone 7379-6344. http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk
Museum of London—This is probably the most comprehensive city museum in the world. Reconstructed rooms, artifacts and displays re-create stages in history. A new gallery houses recent archaeological discoveries from Roman times. Monday-Saturday 10 am-5:50 pm, Sunday noon-5:50 pm. £5 adults, free for children. Ticket is good for a year. 150 London Wall, EC2. Phone 7600-0807. http://www.museum-london.org.uk
National Gallery—This is a treasure house filled (in an endless series of galleries) with the U.K.'s major collection of paintings, executed by many famous artists—too much to take in on a single visit. Do see Hogarth's Marriage a la Mode in Gallery E for a droll caricature of life in 18th-century London. For a donation of £3, the Gallery loans out CD players with detailed, recorded commentary about the major paintings. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm (Wednesday to 9 pm), Sunday noon-6 pm. Free. Numerous special exhibitions are hosted, for which the average entrance fee is £7. Trafalgar Square, WC2. Phone 7839-3321. http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk
National Maritime Museum—Boasting one of the world's largest collections of boats and navigational equipment, this museum recently completed a major refurbishment and added 11 new galleries. The 1869 sailing ship Cutty Sark stands in a dry dock nearby; its cargo is a wonderful display of figureheads. The Old Royal Observatory is also on site (combination ticket available). Daily 10 am-5 pm. £7.50 adults, free for children. Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10. Phone 8858-4422. http://www.nmm.ac.uk
National Portrait Gallery—Five floors of famous faces are arranged in chronological order, from the likes of William Shakespeare to Mick Jagger. The newly opened Portrait Restaurant on the fifth floor offers stunning views of London. Daily 10 am-6 pm (Thursday and Friday to 9 pm). Free, except for special exhibitions. 2 St. Martin's Place, WC2. Phone 7306-0055. http://www.npg.org.uk
Natural History Museum—Particularly noteworthy for its extensive dinosaur collection and exciting displays, this museum's most recent addition is a near-life-size animatronic T-rex—complete with lifelike movement and swamp breath. It's always a big hit with kids. Monday-Saturday 10 am-5:50 pm, Sunday 11 am-5:50 pm. £9 adults, free for seniors and children. Cromwell Road, SW7. Phone 7942-5000. http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Royal Academy of Arts—The Royal Academy of Arts mounts a number of large-scale exhibitions throughout the year. Its annual Summer Exhibition is justly acclaimed, and paintings on display then can be purchased. Daily 10 am-6 pm (Friday to 10 pm). Fees vary by exhibition, and long lines are typical for major exhibitions. Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1. Phone 7300-8000. http://www.royalacademy.org.uk
Science Museum—Its changing exhibitions, interactive displays and up-to-the-minute accounts of science will keep kids entertained for hours. Popular attractions include the new Wellcome Wing, which features the latest developments in science. Virtual voyages and an IMAX cinema, too. Daily 10 am-6 pm. £7.95 adults, reduced rates for seniors and children. Additional charges for special exhibitions and IMAX films. Exhibition Road, SW7. Phone 0870-870-4771. http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Tate Britain—With the new Tate Modern taking much of its permanent collection, the original gallery now displays British art from 1500 to the present. Works are presented in themed galleries, sometimes with mixed results. Some of the most notable artists, including Turner and Rossetti, are given individual rooms in which to shine. Daily 10 am-6 pm. Free, except for special exhibitions. Millbank, SW1. Phone 7887-8000. http://www.tate.org.uk
Tate Modern—In a stunning venue worth visiting just for its design, this art museum has quickly become one of London's top attractions. The sheer scale of the building allows many pieces in the collection to be on permanent display for the first time. Even if you're not a big fan of modern art, plan to spend some time there. Daily 10 am-6 pm (Friday and Saturday to 10 pm). Free, except for special exhibitions. Bankside, SE1. Phone 7887-8000. http://www.tate.org.uk
Victoria and Albert Museum—This national museum of art and design occupies some 7 mi/11 km of galleries! Some galleries cover specific materials (stained glass or tapestries), while others are dedicated to regions of the world. If you're interested in portrait miniatures or works by Constable, don't leave before visiting the Henry Cole Wing. Monday noon-5:45 pm, Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5:45 pm. £5 adults, free for children. Free for everyone after 4:30 pm. Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7. Phone 7938-8441. http://www.vam.ac.uk
