A great museum! We saw so much and barely scratched the surface! Huge...enormous. I am sure I could…read morespend a week in London only visiting the Tate and still not see everything. I am a lover of modern art, and the Tate did not disappoint. Great special exhibits, engaging and spectacular large scale pieces in the atria and transition spaces, really bright and fantastic stuff. This was high on my list of want-to-visit spots on my last London visit. And though I don't like to repeat experiences if there is more to do...I may pay it another visit on my coming trip back to the city later this year! Highly recommend. And if you know someone who is a member, a snack and a drink in the lounge/restaurant is a great sit-break.

Art, adaptive reuse and concrete forms…read more The Herzog & de Meuron adaptive reuse of the Bankside Power Station building had been on my architectural bucket list for quite some time. The building itself is an unapologetic mashup of industrial steel and brutalist concrete forms. The art plays really well against this backdrop. We saw a number of great pieces with the free admission. I thinks it's worth your while and I don't understand the poor reviews.

Tip: The lanterns that hang above you as you walk along the streets in Chinatown are lovely. Take a…read morephoto! I visited London in 2013. During my first full day in the city, I had one goal, which was to visit M&M's World. I took the underground to Piccadilly Circus. As I was walking towards M&M's World, a Russian man approached me. "Chinatown?" he asked. I had no idea where it was. Folks tend to ask me for directions no matter where I am. Maybe I look like I know what I'm doing, but I didn't this day with a map in my hands and a confused look on my face. Well, after visiting M&M's World, I walked around the area. I ended up in Chinatown. Ask me now. I know where Chinatown is! I liked the lanterns around the area. It was nice. There were bakeries, restaurants, cute stores, and more. I loved the excitement being in a decent Chinatown. I ended up having a late lunch at Jade Garden, which was an authentic restaurant that served dim sum. Sadly, it's no longer there. However, it has other locations across the city. I enjoyed the best har gow, siu mai, sticky rice bundles, barbeque pork rice rolls, and steamed pork dumplings. I'd love to check out this Chinatown again. I hope to revisit London someday and eat my way through this cool part of the city. (26)

This is one of the cool Chinatown that I've been through. I've checked out loads and I can say, the…read moreone in London is pretty much up there. Most are quite small and in a small cluster but this one does offer a major punch. It's near the bar area, soho and theaters. Loads of fun restaurants throughout the walkway as well as some along the main strip. I don't think car are allowed as it caters to pedestrians. Regardless on whenever you visit, it'll always be packed with people walking up and down the street. Restaurants are lined with people trying to usher you inside. A good amount of pastries shop as well as groceries store. Can't have Chinatown with a grocery store. I'm sure they tend to get more tourist visiting versus locals. Plenty of restaurants that offer dim sum and local Chinese cuisine. You'll be greeted with all the lanterns hanging along the alleyway. It's a fun spot even if you're just walking through or having a meal. A must in London.

Huge crowds and it wasn't even a weekend. Reason: free…read more This is equivalent to Natural History ones in US. However, there are historical contexts with british roman empires and other inclusions that makes this place distinct in a variety of ways. There are also kid packet activities- ask front desk. Some areas have uneven heating and cooling so you may be prone to fainting / esp if the ennui alone is not enough to get you there- ha! Place is great for history buffs, though, as it is free- do not expect high end bathrooms and overall exceptional service. Otherwise, 5 stars for being free and for a very elaborate set up.

British Museum, London, April 5…read more Our family of four with kids ages 9 and 10 spent part of the afternoon at the British Museum as an easy cultural stop during our London stay. Entry to the permanent collection is free and straightforward, with no reservation required, which made it simple to drop in. There are paid special exhibitions, but the main museum itself is open access. Arrival and First Impressions Entry to the building was very easy, and once inside the scale is immediate. The Great Court sets the tone right away, and everything feels larger and more layered than expected. Even just orienting yourself takes a moment because of how expansive the space is. Getting in was smooth and flexible, and the museum handles steady crowds well without ever feeling restrictive, which helped a lot with kids in tow. The Highlights The Egyptian galleries are one of the first moments where the scale really lands. The large stone sculptures and statues are far bigger in person than photos suggest, and they create a dramatic backdrop as you move through the space. The Rosetta Stone was another key highlight. Seeing it in person adds a different level of context, especially knowing its role in unlocking ancient Egyptian writing. It is not large or flashy compared to some of the other artifacts in the room, but it carries a quiet importance that draws attention naturally. The Samurai exhibition was a standout and required a paid entry ticket. It was absolutely worth it. The display of full armor sets, helmets, weapons, and artwork created a complete and visually rich picture of samurai life. The craftsmanship in the armor in particular held everyone's attention far longer than expected, and it felt more immersive than a typical museum exhibit. We also spent time in the hands-on style learning stations, which were a strong break in pace. These included real artifacts like a flint knife that was thousands of years old and a Roman cosmetic jar believed to have been used for eye makeup. Seeing objects like that up close made history feel very tangible for the kids in a way that glass cases alone do not. There is also a family area tucked away downstairs that worked well as a short reset point. It felt quieter and more relaxed, and it gave the kids a chance to decompress before continuing, which made the overall visit more sustainable. The museum works best as a series of short, flexible stops rather than a structured route, and we naturally moved based on interest and energy levels. The Challenges The main challenge is scale. It is very easy to underestimate how large the British Museum is, and even with breaks built in, pacing becomes the key factor in how enjoyable the visit feels. Trying to cover too much quickly would likely be overwhelming, especially for kids. Would We Return Yes, but with a more focused plan and specific sections chosen in advance rather than trying to see everything broadly again. Final Thoughts The British Museum is best experienced in segments rather than as a single continuous visit. The Egyptian galleries, the Rosetta Stone, the Samurai exhibition, and the hands-on artifact stations all offered very different but equally strong experiences. It is free, accessible, and incredibly rich, but the real value comes from slowing down and treating it like a collection of smaller discoveries, with breaks built in, rather than a single museum to "finish."

Kin is a street art print shop/ gallery space created by creative art retailer, Scrawl Collective,…read moreselling posters, prints, art books, t-shirts and original paintings at unexpectedly low prices. Situated on the middle floor of Kingly Court, the shop offers a wide range of artwork from cheap black and white prints at £20 to large framed silk screen prints at over £100 (there was a huge painting of the little boy from This is England, which we all loved) The guy behind the desk was extremely helpful-he was very sweet to my teenage cousin who was looking for a poster for his wall and talked him through some of the cheaper designs. To my confusion, but to my cousin's absolute delight, he left with the strangest illustration by Sam Green of a fat amputee playing the guitar.

Loved loved loved my visit here! I learned so much and saw some beautiful artifacts and jewels!…read moreBreathe taking! My personal favorite was the bible with all the gold carvings. It was the most intricate thing I've seen! I also really enjoyed seeing some artificers about world religions and learning more about other cultures. Free admission. Spend a half day or a full day here and be prepared to learn a lot and see beauty you have never seen before :)

We were in London for a week and we visited more museums than we normally visit in a year. My wife…read morewas especially interested in seeing the Victoria and Albert Museum. So, on our last day in London, we took the Underground to the South Kensington area to see the Victoria and Albert. It was well worth the effort of getting here. The V&A is awesome. And, like most of the museums in Britain it is FREE. We spent about 3 hours here and barely scratched the surface. You could easily spend a day (or days) in this museum.

The mural has been flooded with flowers and candles and letters since Bowie's passing. It's amazing…read moreto see how lived he was and it is a significant time to visit now that all the tributes are still there.

Simple tribute yet emotionally humbling. There are many Bowie tributes around London in different…read moreforms, many of which we hit, however, this was more humbling to read everyone's messages. I penned one myself.

Begun by the founder of Burroughs-Wellcome, the first company to introduce medicine in pill form,…read morethis marvelous free museum specializes in things related to health and the human body. Or science, medicine, life, and art. Or health, life, and our place in the world. Just looking at those descriptors sort of ensured that there'd be something compelling here and there was. A lot. One floor is given over to the collection itself, which is a quirky assemblage of old medical devices and the like, including old sexual devices. Free guided tours are one way to enjoy this part of the museum though I cop to liking the rest of the place even more. The other floors contain exhibits and art which ranged from interesting to fascinating to heartwarming and inspirational. A couple examples: * Words which, when pressed, would light up the associated internal body parts. It's fair to say I don't know where anything inside my body is except maybe my heart and stomach. Now I do. Or I did, for a moment there. * The origins of a mental health project in Africa, where mental health providers are sparse and grandmas we're trained to fill the gap. The results? Improved mental health in the community and the grandmas. There was just so much neat stuff here and not just in the museum exhibits. The ground floor cafe has very good food (try the eggplant parmesan baked individually in a sweet little French crock) and don't miss the gift shop where you'll likely blow all that you saved by coming to this free museum. I certainly did. I left wanting to return to the Wellcome Collection and that was before I even looked at their web site and saw all of the talks and group activities they regularly offer (Death Cafe anyone? Grief Group?). I wish the Wellcome Collection were in my own community as I'm certain I'd take advantage of much more that they have to offer.

I don't know if I caught the museum on a bad day or what. I walked in and said hello to the staff…read moreperson near the entrance - I was rewarded with a dirty look. I was going to ask for some directions but instead just found myself a map. I checked out the two exhibitions they had open. They both were okay. Being Human was fine, not much to see in the gallery to be honest. The other one, Objects in Stereo, was a clever idea that could have been better. I don't understand the point of looking at photos of objects and storage when one could put those objects on display. Fragile things can be displayed in the right way with the right light and temp/humidity conditions. I was very disappointed to not see more of the permanent collection being used. I work as a museum registrar and I was having trouble understanding the reasoning here. Especially since similar objects were on display upstairs. The reading room was the highlight of the collection. Finally some AMAZING historical, medical related objects and art!

Stopped by the National Gallery yesterday, and honestly, this place is amazing. It's way bigger…read morethan I expected -- room after room packed with artwork from all the famous painters you learn about in school. And the vibe is super chill. Every room has benches so you can sit down, relax, and actually enjoy the art instead of rushing through. The best part? It's completely FREE to get in. You just walk in and suddenly you're face‑to‑face with pieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and a ton of others. You could easily spend hours here and still not see everything. There's just so much to take in -- colors, details, history, all of it. It's the kind of place where you keep saying "okay, just one more room" and then an hour goes by. If you're in London, this is a must‑visit. Beautiful art, relaxed atmosphere, and again... it's FREE. Absolutely worth your time.

The National Gallery is a must see on your visit to London. We went on a Friday night because they…read morewere opened until 9:00 pm. We thought that evening might be a quiet time to go, but the Gallery was packed with art lovers. The Gallery is huge and free to visit, although donations are emcouraged. The building is Greek Revival with a modern addition that serves as the visitor entrance. Ornate domes, marble and granite staircases and beautiful woodwork add to the grandeur. The complex is made up of galleries of art organized by time period, several cafes and gift shops. Maps throughout the complex are very helpful. The Museum houses the most extensive collection of Masters that I've ever seen. There is an entire gallery of spectacular Rembrandt paintings. I enjoyed comparing his style between the different works. Four galleries are filled with Impressionistic greats including a room devoted to Monet's water lily pieces. I saw so many Van Gogh's that I had never seen before. Beautiful benches in each room were inviting to sit and take in the art. There is so much to see that you can't see it all in one day. I ordered free tickets on-line but they were not checking tickets during my visit. I did go through security and they check bags. Rest rooms are sparse, expect to wait in a line to use the facilities. There are lots of stairs with a few elevators available.

An iconic, famous, and crazy busy section of London. From…read morehere you can get just about anywhere. It's a great starting and landing point for tourists. It is a central area to get to places like Leicester Square, Chinatown, etc. Tons of giant, lighted, neon adverts adorn the area. It's like the London version of NYC's Times Square. It's exciting, frantic, busy, and a perfect spot for first-time visitors to London.

Tip: I recommend riding the tube to get here. Piccadilly Circus tube station is conveniently…read moreunderground and it's affordable. Piccadilly Circus was an area that I frequented a lot during my visit to London in December 2013. It is a touristy place. I liked it for a number of reasons. Piccadilly Circus tub station is under Piccadilly Circus. I took the underground to get to this touristy site. It was a cheap, efficient means to get to and from the area. The area feels like Times Square (New York), or Yonge and Dundas (Toronto) with brightly lit screens and signs. You then realize that Piccadilly Circus established illuminated, giant advertisements since the early 20th century. What's special about Piccadilly Circus is that it's a junction where Piccadilly, Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, the Haymarket, Coventry Street, and Glasshouse Street meet. Circus in the name doesn't mean seeing clowns and acrobats. Rather, it means a circle or roundabout. It makes sense when you see the statue of Anteros, which is also known as Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. It gives you a good look at how the streets comprise this junction. Piccadilly Circus is close to these touristy spots: - M&M's World - Chinatown - Soho - Theatre district - Oxford Street (shopping) - Hop-on, hop-off stops Gone are these places that I enjoyed visiting: - Ripley's Believe It or Not - Angus Steak House I'm an M&M's fan, so I visited this place three times. I loved it so much! Shopping was great. You can find everything from phone accessories (I still travel with a USB cable with three different charging tips that I bought in London) to weed edibles. I liked the eclectic variety that was eye-opening at the time. I remember that there was a small winter fair at a park that I had visited nearby. I don't remember the name of the park or the fair. What I do remember is enjoying banoffee fudge for the first time. So good! It was fun being in this area. I'd love to go back and see how things have changed. If you've never been to Piccadilly Circus before, I recommend going at least once. (44)

Wonderful collection of European paintings and decorative objects. Whole gallery were well…read moredisplayed and easy to navigate. The best part of the collection was, to my taste, European weapons/armory on the first floor. This section is huge and ranging from Middle Ages to late 18th century. The gun selection is exquisite. If you are studying armory, this is a place to visit. Admission is free and accessible. You can easily spend two to three hours wondering and enjoy the atmosphere. Staff are helpful and willing to help. There is a restaurant/cafe to refresh after long day of sightseeing.

Great hidden gem! Visiting here is free. This guy has such a large collection of art and artifacts…read morethat he could color code his ancient vases. "The Swing" is such a beautiful painting. Most of the artwork is from the Victorian era, so if paintings of rich people from their day with ruffled collars is your thing ... this is the place for you. There are other amazing pieces and there was a modern art exhibit happening on the ground floor. Just when you think you are done, there is an entire room full of medieval armor behind the store. Pro-tip - the bathrooms are amazing and free. And finally, don't accidentally lean on Marie Antoinette's chest of drawers like I did. To be fair, I don't Marie would have lost her head about it!