When people think of London museums, the big hitters often come to mind: the British Museum, the V&A, the Natural History Museum. But tucked away across the city, you’ll find many smaller treasures that are absolutely worth checking out.
These intimate spaces are often housed in historic buildings, lovingly curated by people passionate about their collections. Best of all, you often won’t be elbowing through crowds to catch a glimpse of a masterpiece… if you’ve seen the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum you’ll know what I mean!
Whether you’re a Londoner looking for somewhere new, or visiting the city for the first time, these 10 small London museums and galleries deserve a place on your bucket list.
Table of Contents
1. Museum of the Home (Hoxton)
Step inside a series of period rooms that reveal how domestic life has changed over the centuries.
From 17th‑century parlours to 1990s living rooms, the Museum of the Home tells the story of ordinary people through the spaces they lived in.
After redevelopment in 2024, the museum now features 7 new period rooms!
💡 Don’t miss: The beautiful gardens, seasonal displays, and thought‑provoking temporary exhibitions.
🤔 Why visit: It’s a thoughtful, nostalgic look at everyday life and how it shapes who we are.
📍 Location: 136 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA.
🎟 Ticket price: free!
2. The Cartoon Museum (Fitzrovia)
A celebration of Britain’s love affair with cartoons, comics, and caricature, the Cartoon Museum is as playful as it is informative.
💡 Don’t miss: Original artwork from The Beano, Punch and political satire that shaped public opinion.
🤔 Why visit: It’s fun, colourful, and full of cultural history.
📍 Location: 63 Wells St, London, W1A 3AE.
🎟 Ticket price: £12 for adults, free for under 18s.
3. The Wallace Collection (Marylebone)
Housed in a historic townhouse, the Wallace Collection feels like stepping into someone’s opulent private home, because that’s exactly what it was!
💡 Don’t miss: Frans Hals’ The Laughing Cavalier and the glittering array of Sèvres porcelain.
🤔 Why visit: A refined, intimate art experience without the crowds of the National Gallery.
📍 Location: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN.
🎟 Ticket price: Free!
4. London Museum Docklands (Canary Wharf)
Housed in a sugar warehouse, this museum tells the story of London as a port city. It features a poignant section on the history of slavery and interesting finds from the Thames.
💡 Don’t miss: The immersive Sailortown recreation.
🤔 Why visit: A fascinating dive into the city’s maritime past while acknowledging the atrocities of the British Empire.
📍 Location: No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL.
🎟 Ticket Price: Free!
5. The Garden Museum (Lambeth)
Hidden inside a deconsecrated church, the Garden Museum blends art, history, and horticulture.
💡 Don’t miss: The knot garden and riverside café, perfect for a peaceful pause.
🤔 Why visit: It’s a tranquil, green escape in the heart of the city!
📍 Location: 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB.
🎟 Ticket Price: £16.
6. The Foundling Museum (Bloomsbury)
I really recommend visiting the Foundling Museum.
This moving space tells the story of London’s first children’s charity and hospital for abandoned children.
💡 Don’t miss: Art by William Hogarth and Handel’s legacy woven through the displays.
🤔 Why visit: A beautiful mix of history, art, and social impact that stays with you.
📍 Location: 40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ.
🎟 Ticket Price: £14.50.
7. Handel & Hendrix in London (Mayfair)
Speaking of Handel… Have you heard of the Handel & Hendrix House Museum?
This unique space preserves the Georgian townhouse where composer George Frideric Handel lived and worked and the flat where Jimi Hendrix lived in the 1960s!
As a music lover, visiting this one was a magical experience for me.
💡 Don’t miss: Jimi Hendrix’s recreated bedroom, full of personal touches.
🤔 Why visit: A brilliant celebration of London’s rich musical heritage, from Baroque to rock.
📍 Location: 25 Brook St, London W1K 4HB.
🎟 Ticket Price: £14.50.
8. Dulwich Picture Gallery (Dulwich)
England’s first purpose‑built public art gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery was designed by the brilliant Sir John Soane. It holds a world‑class collection in an intimate setting.
💡 Don’t miss: Works by Rembrandt, Gainsborough, and Canaletto.
🤔 Why visit: Peaceful galleries surrounded by leafy Dulwich Village cafés and gardens.
📍 Location: Gallery Road, London, SE21 7AD.
🎟 Ticket Price: £10.
9. The Courtauld Gallery (Strand)
Tucked within Somerset House, The Courtauld is home to one of the finest collections of Impressionist and Post‑Impressionist art in the UK.
When I studied at King’s College London, I spent many afternoons in here!
💡 Don’t miss: Van Gogh’s Self‑Portrait with Bandaged Ear, Monet’s dreamy landscapes, and Cézanne’s still lifes.
🤔 Why visit: This is a great place to see masterpieces up close in a serene, elegant setting.
📍 Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN.
🎟 Ticket Price: £10.
10. The Cinema Museum (Kennington)
Housed in a Victorian workhouse where Charlie Chaplin once lived, this museum is a love letter to the golden age of cinema.
💡 Don’t miss: Vintage projectors, posters, and guided tours!
🤔 Why visit: A nostalgic treat for film buffs and history lovers alike.
📍 Location: 2 Dugard Way, London, SE11 4TH.
🎟 Ticket Price: This museum is run entirely by volunteers, so it isn’t open every day. To visit, book a £15 guided tour.
These small London museums might not have blockbuster status, but they offer something far more memorable: intimacy, personality, and often a glimpse into a niche you won’t find elsewhere.
Next time you’re in London, step off the well‑worn tourist trail and explore one (or all!) of these gems.
Check out my post on London’s most quirky and unusual museums for more ideas.