Which London museum(s) to visit?

[pencilcaseandcabbage]

DH I have a trip to London next week and are wondering which museums/art galleries to visit. We both enjoy history, science and old buildings. I like art. We last went to the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum about 10-12 years ago but we've been to each of those 2-3 times so they aren't a priority this trip. My last (only?) British Museum visit, which I adored, was about 2 years ago. Also 2 years for the Tate Modern. Anything before that was at least 20-50 years ago. I've never been to the National Gallery, British Library, V&A, Greenwich, or anything else that I can think of right now. My only Tower of London visit was about 45 years ago(!) and I can't remember anything.

So, given that we have 1.5 days for sightseeing, I'd love some ideas of what to see/do. Please tell me what is brilliant and what isn't worth it. Thank you!

V&A
Wellcome Collection
The Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garrett
Tower of London
British Museum again

National Gallery at opening time. Expect to queue to enter - it's popular with tourists cos it's free and centrally located, plus has extra tight security because of being targeted by Just Stop Oil protesters.

National Portrait Gallery next door, which seems busier after the refurbishment.

V&A but be selective because it's too big to see everything in one visit. I like the Cast Courts and the British Galleries. Stop off at the cafe before it gets busy so that you can get a table in one of the tiled rooms.

Wallace Collection if you're up that end of Oxford Street. Not massive but has a good collection - the smaller rooms on the first floor are beautifully decorated and the armour collection is surprisingly appealing too.

I went to the V&A twice last year and there was still loads to see! Beautiful costume galleries, theatre section is great. Really interesting jewellery section. And then they have visiting additional exhibitions - we saw the Elton John and the Naomi Campbell exhibitions.

Also really like the imperial war museum although parts of it, obviously, are upsetting.

I recently went around the Tate Britain - there is (was?) an 80’s photography exhibition. I’m not particularly arty but I really enjoyed it :)

V&A is my favourite!

Tower of London will be cold and busy in half term. Great place but you'd have to wrap up warm and get their early to beat the kids.

The Museum Of The Home.
This is a lovely museum. Very near Liverpool Street Station... Free to enter.

Docklands Museum in Canary Wharf is good and free! Definitely underrated and now quick to get to thanks to the Elizabeth Line

Definitely the Wallace Collection - it's free and beautiful bc and something there for everyone

V&A

I was in the national gallery today and not all the rooms were open. No Van Gogh and no Monet. The new visitors centre should be open in 6 weeks I was told.
Also prebook tickets, you don’t stand in the big queue there is a difference entrance.

V&A is awesome. We go often and love it!

Ooh it sounds like the V&A is a must. I really like the look of the Wallace Collection, and that old operating theatre looks fascinating!

Thank you everyone for your suggestions - I've googled all of them and it looks like we are going to have to plan another trip 😁. I'm really pleased you had some unusual/lesser known suggestions. And it's good to know about the National Gallery queues - I'll happily forego a lie-in to get there at opening time. We'll see what the weather is doing re the Tower (a cold day may keep the crowds away???), but I'm not sure we'll have time for everything this time.

Sadly this trip had to be half term as that's the reason we can go at all - no school run. But after exams this summer, school runs will be a thing of the past for me. Freedom!! It's been 18 years and I can't wait 🎉

Thank you for this. Before this thread, the National Gallery was at the top of my list. Now I'm thinking it might be worth waiting till my next visit. Which hopefully will be later this year, rather than years!

I don't recommend The Wellcome Collection with children at all. It does have a great cafe though.

Oh you're missing out the best!

Check out Sir John Soane's Museum

..and right across the square

The Hunterian museum of medical oddities.

Nearest station is Holborn, but easy enough walk from Covent Garden etc

I'm another recommendation for the V&A. I never get bored of it and probably go 3 or 4 times a year. The cast courts and the SE Asian galleries are my favourites but it's all fantastic. You just need to accept that you can only see a tiny part of it and plan to come back another day.
If you like history, I really recommend the Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury. Sad, but such a lovely museum.
Also, if you like music, I really recommend the Handel and Hendrix museum just south of Oxford Street. This could be combined with a visit to the Wallace Collection as they are quite close. The Wallace Collection has an excellent café by the way. I often have lunch there if I'm in the area.

No children, it's just me and DH (which is why I can indulge my desire to visit things that I want to see, for a change!).

Another vote for the Sir John Soane museum. Quirky and fabulous.

I really recommend the Handel and Hendrix museum just south of Oxford Street.

What a fascinating combination! And absolutely perfect for us. I'm a huge fan of baroque music (as is DH) and Hendrix is simply a star.

@pencilcaseandcabbage yes, V&A is the best, free, no need to book and nice loos. Unlike the costly science museum across the road with big queues and the worst smelling toilets I have ever encountered.

I’d start at the top in the V&A, the rooms are so interesting.

Agree regarding V&A. Leighton House is also interesting. Somerset House might be worth looking at but isn't free (I haven't been for years so not sure what it's like these days).

Ooh and the Design Museum is lovely and has a gorgeous cafe. Great exhibitions too which you have to book/pay for in advance.

Kensington Palace, V&A and Leighton House.

And the Foundling Museum is excellent!

Denis Servers house is interesting

V&A is my favourite. If I could only have one that would be it!