Location: London
Top Things to do in London
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What to do and see in London, England: The Best Specialty 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 Magic Circle
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 277 reviews
The Magic Circle Headquarters is home to the world's premier magical society, The Magic Circle. It also houses a theatre, museum and entertainment space. We regularly hold events and open days for the public including History and Mystery at The Magic Circle, At Home with The Magic Circle, Close-up at The Magic Circle, Monday Morning Magic and The Magic Circle Christmas Show. Admission to these events is by advance booking only via our website. The nearest tube stations are Euston Square (2 min walk) and Warren Street (5 minute walk) Note The Magic Circle HQ is not open for casual visits.
Reviewed By annball - Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
A brilliant night! I had a great time. Very enjoyable, entertaining and relaxing. I was greeted by a charming host who gave me all the information that I needed for my evening, took my temperature and told me how they were going to keep us all safe! I was very impressed by his introduction. I was shown to a seat by a lovely young man, and another host took a drink order which was bought to me at my table. I didn’t need to move at all and was well taken care of. The performers interacted really well with all of the audience members and the magic was funny, interesting, and spectacular! Such a great night, well planned and thought out, and highly recommended! Thank you!
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. Golden Hinde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 562 reviews
Visit this living-history museum and find out what it was like to sail the mighty seas aboard an Elizabethan galleon during the adventurous days of the 16th century.
Reviewed By RuthieRoy
Walking past this famous replica of Francis Drake’s ship, and pausing to read an information board, a total stranger enthusiastically encouraged us to go onboard as she found it fascinating. The entrance fee was just £5 per adult. Is this the best visitor attraction at that price we wonder? We are so pleased we followed her advice- we very much enjoyed our tour of the ship. The talks given by their excellent staff were so interesting and very informative. Highly recommended.
4. Lord's Cricket Ground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,514 reviews
Lord's Cricket Ground is known as the Home of Cricket and is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club - better known, throughout the cricketing world, as MCC. Founded in 1787, MCC is the world's most famous cricket club.
Reviewed By RIchard035 - Northwood, United Kingdom
This is the best place in the world to watch cricket. It has an unparalleled atmosphere. The views from all round the ground are good. It is however perhaps a little disappointing being in a covered area on a hot sunny day. There are plenty of places to buy food and drink and there are shops selling cricket goods. There is also the Lord's museum which is free to enter on match days and which has lots of memorabilia on the history of the game. The two criticisms I have of the ground is that you can queue for as much as half an hour to get in on a busy match day and the toilet facilities are totally inadequate. Apart from that, this is a must see venue for a cricket fan.
5. Charles Dickens Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,133 reviews
The Charles Dickens Museum in London holds the world's most important Dickens collection with over 100,000 items including manuscripts, rare editions, personal items, paintings and other visual sources. Based in 48 Doughty Street, the author’s only surviving London house, we offer visitors the chance to experience what Dickens’s home would have been like and learn more about the great novelist and social commentator. We are open from Tuesday to Sunday, and welcome visitors of all ages.
Reviewed By nhmo - Hanover, United States
My adult son and I happened on this museum by accident. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, The house was in excellent shape and the explanations of his life and life at that time were intriguing. There is a lovely cafe in the lower level adjacent to a charming little courtyard/garden. Will be returning in March and plan to share this gem with my husband.
6. 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...
7. The Fan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
The UK's only Museum devoted to the history of fans and the craft of fan making. Nestled in the heart of historic Greenwich, The Fan Museum is home to a diverse collection of fans from around the world, dating from the 12th century to the present day.
Reviewed By RomanaMo - London, United Kingdom
Lovely afternoon tea at The Orangery. This is definitly a hidden gem in Greenwich. Cafe is located in the Fan Museum where you have to pay an entry free(£4 adults £3 kids over 7) to the museum in order to go the cafe but definitly worth it for the treats. The Orangery looks onto the beautiful garden although access to the gardens is not permitted. The Orangery itself is small but quaint and beautifully decorated with lovely ambience. Very friendly service and the afternoon tea is a steal with its prices and freshly baked scones and cakes. Nice to wonder through the museum after with beautiful fans on display. ????
8. Bank of England Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 801 reviews
This fascinating Museum, located within the impressive walls of the Bank of England, tells the history of the Bank from its foundation in 1694 to the present day. Its unique collections of coins, banknotes and artefacts are supplemented by audio-visual and interactive displays. Visitors can even handle a real gold bar! Exciting new displays and exhibits have been added to the permanent galleries following a period of renovation.
Reviewed By Lara_UK_18 - Macclesfield, United Kingdom
BRILLIANT museum with FANTASTIC interactive displays and games which I saw the younger children enjoying and which even my 13 year old enjoyed (and I was told to 'go away' - typical of a teenager) as she engaged with them. Accessible for all ages as was evident during our visit. So something for those child free irrespective of age! Trail sheets for all ages (about 5 different age groups) available at reception which lots of children enjoyed (including myself!). Highly recommend. Place to park prams, nice loo facilities - no cafe but plenty of places nearby.
9. Cutty Sark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,196 reviews
Reviewed By kookyrhi - London, United Kingdom
Had my first visit to the Cutty Sark a few weekends ago - how have I not been here before? The interpretation was pitched just right for me - enough information to give a good grounding and flavour but not too much so it became a chore to read. I loved the design of the level with all the tea chests and boxes which gave a great atmosphere. Another highlight was the top deck - who doesn't like to pretend to be captain! What made the visit were the incredibly helpful and friendly front of house staff who made us initially feel really welcome and then went above and beyond to get the penny press machine fixed so that we could use it. I'll definitley be back when I have to entertain people visiting me in London.
10. Fenton House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By patrician784 - Birmingham, United Kingdom
We visited mid morning on a Sunday. We spent about an hour wondering around the house as the one volunteer was very chatty and gave us lots of information and answered our numerous questions. There is a large collection of porcelain and Chinese ornaments at the property along with numerous musical instruments. The view from the balcony over London from the very top of the hose are worth seeing. The house is surrounded by other interesting houses also. The garden is beautiful we sat and had a sandwich in the sunken garden (picnic of our own not from NT) and was nice to take in the peace of the garden. On the NT app there is a walk included which we did 2.5 miles and takes in Hampstead Heath , Keats house and Erno Goldfinger house the walk then takes you back to the tube station. We thoroughly enjoyed this property and would recommend.
