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Museums, Libraries and Art Galleries
London has one of the world's greatest collections of museums, libraries and art galleries. TravelData21 has listed below the most prominent and some of the lesser known along with their web site links to assist with travel planning.
Other museums are listed on other London pages under categories for London and its History, Government, Historic Buildings and Homes and Gardens. Art galleries are also identified under Royalty.
See also specialized sub-groups below. London is home to many of the world's greatest collections of art and objects of historical and scientific interest. These links to museums, galleries and libraries in London will give some appreciation of the scope of these collections: The British Museum has enormous collections of archeological and historical objects and is regarded as one of the greatest museums in the world. The British Museum - Mesopotamia web site provides an excellent introduction for young people to the history and culture of this ancient region that now plays such a prominent role in current events. The British Library is one of the world's greatest repositories of printed documents.
London's Museums, Archives and Libraries web site is an excellent resource for research in these areas.
The Horniman Museum has a range of exhibitions, collections of anthropology, natural history, musical instruments, events and activities which illustrate the cultural and natural world.
Art Galleries and Exhibition Centers: The Victoria & Albert Museum possesses an outstanding collection of decorative arts, paintings, photography, technology and crafts. Apsley House was the London home of the Duke of Wellington and is now the Wellington Museum. English Heritage has responsibility for Apsley House.
The Wallace Collection collection is noted for many superb examples of European art, especially 18th Century paintings. The Natural History Museum has exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to modern ecology.
The National Gallery and the Tate Gallery house two of the world's greatest collections of art. The Tate Gallery also maintains galleries in Liverpool and St. Ives, Cornwall. The National Portrait Gallery has an extensive collection of portraits of famous Britons. The Wallace Collection is one of the finest in Britain.
The Royal Academy is an independent fine arts institution which supports contemporary artists and promotes interest in the arts. The on-line guide to the Barbican Centre is an excellent resource for discovering some of the dynamism in London's current art scene.
Somerset House is a magnificent 18th century building housing celebrated collections of the Courtauld Institute of Art, Gilbert Collection and Hermitage Rooms. The Courtauld Institute of Art is part of the University of London and a major center for the study of Western art.
Dulwich Picture Gallery is small by London standards but has an acclaimed collection of old Masters.
Science, Industry, Commerce and Medicine: The Science Museum and the National Museum of Science and Industry present science in historical and future perspectives. The London City of Science web site demonstrates how science has influenced London and met the needs of its people. The Florence Nightingale Museum honors this pioneer of nursing with exhibits demonstrating her heritage and relevance to today's world. London's Transport Museum will give visitors an appreciation of the enormous task of providing transportation for this city over the years. The London Canal Museum tells the history of this once important transportation system. The Port City of London web site has a very good selection of historical information about maritime activities in the port.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England maintains two museums, the Hunterian and the Wellcome Museum of Anatomy and Pathology.
Maritime and Military: The National Maritime Museum is the largest maritime museum in the world and has an exceptional collection of objects related to maritime history.
The Imperial War Museum has exhibits regarding British and Commonwealth conflicts, especially since the First World War. The Cabinet War Rooms will be of particular interest to students of World War II.
The Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon has many exhibits on the history of flight and the role play by this service. It is approximately 6 miles/10 km from central London.
Other: The Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green is an interactive museum for children.
The Shakespeare Globe Museum is devoted to the Bankside district and its history during the late 16th and early 17th Centuries when it was the heart of theatre in London.
Guides: Baedeker - London; The Blue Guide to London; Eyewitness Travel Guide - London; Let's Go - London | London Map Guide; Lonely Planet - London; Rough Guides - London | London Miniguide | London Restaurants and Miniguide