Fiona MacLeod on the world-class collections hiding behind a completely unassuming entrance
Many of London’s very best museums charge nothing at all for general admission, a fact that genuinely surprises first-time visitors who assume, reasonably enough, that world-class collections must come with a hefty entry fee attached somewhere.
What’s Actually Free
The British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, and the Tate Modern all offer free general admission, funded through a combination of government support and voluntary donations, meaning you can walk in without booking a ticket for the permanent collections.
Special temporary exhibitions at these same museums typically do carry a separate charge, so it is worth checking specifically what you are booking before assuming an entire visit will be free of cost.
Making the Most of a Free Visit
These museums are genuinely enormous, and attempting to see everything in one visit tends to produce more exhaustion than enjoyment. Pick two or three galleries that actually interest you rather than attempting a full march through every wing.
The London Prat‘s culture desk publishes seasonal guides to which temporary exhibitions are currently running at each major museum.
Visit London maintains an official, up-to-date list of the city’s free museums and their current opening hours.
Donations are genuinely welcome and help keep these collections free for everyone, so consider dropping something in the box on your way out if your visit was worthwhile.
More from me: Fiona MacLeod, prat.uk. Further reading: Visit London.
SOURCE: https://bohiney.com
