Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
London Free: Indoor
There are many free indoor attractions in London, far too many to list here but these are some of our favourites, listed by attraction type.
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Where more than one tube station is listed for an attraction the nearest is listed first and the furthest last.
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Museums and Galleries
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Bank Of England Museum
Threadneedle Street, EC2R 8AH
Tube: Bank, Monument, Cannon Street, Mansion House
DLR: Bank
Rail: Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street
Bus: 8, 11, 23, 25, 26, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149 & 242
Times: Mon - Fri 10:00 - 17:00
The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today.
The historical displays include material drawn from the Bank's own collections of books, documents, silver, prints, paintings, banknotes, coins and photographs.
There is a display of gold, including Roman and modern gold bars, alongside pikes and muskets once used to defend the Bank. Computer technology and audio visual displays explain the Bank's present day role.
More information
Black Cultural Archive and Museum
378 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8RR
Tube: Brixton
Rail: Loughborough Junction
Bus: 35 & P5
Times: Mon - Sat 10:30 - 18:00
This museum tells the story of the multi-cultural and multi-ethnic nature of London's society and culture.
Displays include 'Sun a-shine, Rain a-fall', about the migration of peoples from the Caribbean to London in the 1950s and 1960s to work for London Transport. Other exhibitions include, 'The History of the Black Presence in London', 'The Life of Mary Seacole' (a nurse in the Crimean War), and the 'Myth of the Mother'.
British Museum
Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG
Tube: Holborn, Russell Square, Goodge Street
Bus: 1, 7, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 98 & 242
Times: Daily 10:00 - 17:30 (20:30 on Fridays)
Attracting over six million visitors a year it is impossible to fully explore the museum in a single day. You would be better off finding a section which interests you and concentrate on that particular area.
The museum is renowned for its Greek collection, including sculptures from The Parthenon. There is also the Rosetta Stone, which is said to be the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs.
There are collections as diverse as Egyptian mummies, through to a collection of Samurai armour. From African antiquities through to pieces of eight.
Their web site has suggested tours for one hour, three hours or if visiting with children.
Admission to the museum is free, although there may be a charge for special exhibitions.
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Imperial War Museum
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Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ
Tube: Lambeth North, Waterloo, Southwark, Elephant & Castle
Rail: Waterloo, Elephant & Castle
Bus: 1, 3, 12, 45, 53, 59, 63, 68, 100, 159, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 344, 360, 453, C10
Times: Daily 10:00 - 18:00
Although it sounds macho the museum caters for the entire family. There is plenty of hardware on display, with many displays from both World Wars.
With some impressive displays visitors can experience the sounds and smells of war.
Many of the exhibits show the human side of war.
There is an incredibly moving Holocaust Exhibition.
There are also displays covering post World War II conflicts.
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Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA
Tube: Bethnal Green
Rail: Shoreditch High Street , Whitechapel
Bus: 106, 254, 309, 388 & D6
Times: Daily 10:00 - 17:45
Now part of the V&A.
There are four galleries in the museum.
Moving Toys Gallery: Moving toys range from rocking horses and pull-along toys to more complex clockwork and battery-operated toys. Optical toys are a kind of moving toy that creates visual special effects. We can learn a lot about science, design and technology from moving toys - the mechanisms include everything from cams and levers to the latest computer microchip.
Creativity Gallery: The Museum's Creativity Gallery is divided into four sections - Imagine, Be Inspired, Explore and Make it Happen. These are based around four key stages in the creative process: Imagination; inspiration; exploration; and the final result. There are many interactives for children to engage with in the Creativity Gallery,
Childhood Galleries: Each section of the Childhood Galleries explores a different aspect of childhood - what home means, how babies are cared for, what children wear, and what children will be when they grow up.
Front Room Gallery: This area houses artistic exhibitions and projects
More information
Museum of London
London Wall, EC2Y 5HN
Tube: Barbican, St Paul's, Moorgate
Bus: 4, 8, 25, 56, 100, 172, 242 & 521
Times: Daily 10:00 - 18:00
As its name implies the museum tells the story of London.
It features items as diverse as a Roman 'bikini' worn by an athlete through to a battered suitcase carried by a Turkish-Cypriot when he arrived in the 1970's.
One of the star exhibits is the gilded coach of the Lord Mayor of London.
The collections also include:-
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• 25,000 items of fashion and textiles
• 150,000 paintings, prints and photographs of London
• Europe’s largest archaeological archive including 17,000 skeletons
• 50,000 objects from prehistoric and Roman London
• 15,000 objects from Saxon and medieval London
• 55,000 objects from Tudor and Stuart London
• 110,000 objects from modern London (the 18th century to today)
• 1800 life stories from individual Londoners
• Half a million historic documents, including the archives of the Port of London Authority and Sainsbury’s supermarket.
There are many temporary exhibitions and these are, normally, also free of charge.
More information
Museum of London Docklands
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No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, EC14 4AL
Tube: Canary Wharf
DLR: West India Quay, Canary Wharf
Bus: D3, D6, D7, D8, 15, 115, 135 & 277
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Times: Daily 10:00 - 18:00
Part of the Museum of London this museum concentrates on London's maritime heritage, telling the story Docklands, showing how the area looked before the vast skyscrapers appeared.
National Army Museum
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Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, SW3 4HT
Tube: Sloane Square
Bus: 11, 19, 22, 137, 170, 211, 319 & 360
Times: Daily 10:00 - 17:30
This museum tells the story of the British Army from the days of Henry V and his archers, through to modern 21st century warfare.
As opposed to being a chronicle of wars and battles it attempts to tell the story from the soldiers perspective, concentrating on the "human aspects" of soldiering.
It houses a collection of military uniforms as well as displays of weaponry and armoury.
More information
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
Tube: Charing Cross, Leicester Square
Bus: numerous
Times: Daily 10:00 - 18:00 (Friday 21:00)
One of the worlds greatest art galleries housing, arguably, the best collection of Western European art from the late 13th through to the early 20th century.
Think of any great artist and there is a strong chance you will find a painting of theirs in the Gallery.
Botticelli, Bellini, Raphael, Da Vinci, Holbein, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, Constable, Turner, Gainsborough, Monet, van Gough - the list goes on and on.
Best of all admission is free, although there may be a charge for special exhibitions.
It is probably best to visit on a sunny day a the gallery can become uncomfortably busy if it rains and people come in to shelter.
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National Portrait Gallery
Trafalgar Square
Tube: Charing Cross, Leicester Square
Bus: numerous
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Times: Daily 10:00 - 18:00 (Thursday & Friday 21:00)
Most art galleries concentrate on the importance of the artists, the National Portrait Gallery differs in that it focuses of the subject.
The gallery includes both paintings and photographs.
Almost every important figure in English history is covered in the gallery, organised by period. The contemporary portrait galleries are the most popular.
As with the other major museums admission is free, although there may be charges for special exhibitions.
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Please note the National Portrait Gallery will close for a three year refurbishment on 29th June 2020 and will reopen in spring 2023
More information
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD
Tube: South Kensington
Bus: 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414 & C1
Times: Daily 10:00 - 17:50
From massive dinosaur skeletons to the smallest insect, from exploring the inside of the human body to experiencing an earthquake. From flowers to volcano's.
If it has anything to do with the natural world then it will be in this museum.
If that is not enough the building itself will take your breath away. Built at a time when science was the new religion this building is a cathedral to the natural world.
Young or old you will be entertained and educated. There is so much to see you may have to be selective in what you try and visit if time is limited.
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Royal Naval College
Greenwich
DLR: Cutty Sark
Rail: Greenwich
River: Greenwich Pier
Bus: 53, 129, 180, 177, 188, 286, 199, 202 & 386
Times: Daily 10:00 - 17:00 (Chapel from 12:30 on Sundays) Grounds open 08:00 - 23:00
Most of the college is closed to the public, however the extensive grounds are open to view as are the magnificent Painted Hall and the Chapel.
The Painted Hall is the former dining room and, as it's name suggests, it is decorated with stunning paintings both on the walls and ceiling. Admiral Lord Nelson lay in State in the room after he was killed at the Battle Of Trafalgar.
The ceiling of the Painted Hall is one of the most stunning in Europe.
Restored in the 1950's the Chapel, unusually, reflects only a single architectural style and it is almost as it was when completed in 1789.
More information
Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD
Tube: South Kensington
Bus: 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414 & C1
Times: Daily 10:00 - 18:00 (longer hours during school holidays) Last Wednesday of the month, except December, 18:45 - 22:00 (adults only)
If it has anything to do with science it will probably be here. From the first steam engine, the first locomotive (The Rocket), through to the Apollo 10 capsule, still scarred from re-entry.
With plenty of "hands-on" attractions and over 200,000 exhibits it does not matter if you are 3 or 103, there will be plenty to keep you occupied in, what in my view, is the best museum in the world.
For baby-boomers bought up in the 50's and 60's the display of domestic appliances from that period will evoke many memories and raise the question, just how did our parents cope?
More information
Tate Britain
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Millbank, SW1P 4RG
Tube: Pimlico, Westminster, Vauxhall
Bus: 87, 88 & C10
Boat: Millbank Pier
Times: Daily 10:00 - 18:00
Tate Modern
Bankside, SE1 9TG
Tube: Southwark, Mansion House, St Paul's
Bus: 45, 63, 100, 344, 381 & RV1
Boat: Bankside Pier
Times: Daily 10:00 - 18:00 (Friday & Saturday 22:00)
The Tate Galleries are the nations Modern Art Galleries. Tate Britain houses the collection of modern British Art, whilst Tate Modern houses the international collection.
The Millbank site was the only modern art gallery until Tate Modern was opened.
Both are situated near the river and a shuttle boat service connects the two.
Admission to both is free, with the usual proviso there may be charges for special exhibitions.
More information
Wallace Collection
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Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN
Tube: Bond Street, Baker Street, Oxford Circus
Bus: 2, 10, 12, 13, 30, 74, 82, 94, 113, 137 & 274
Times: Daily 10:00 - 17:00
An often ignored collection the Wallace collection houses the personal collection of the Wallace family and it was bequeathed to the nation in 1897.
It's most famous painting is Franz Hals, The Laughing Cavalier, although paintings by Titian and Rembrandt also appear.
It also houses the best collection of French paintings, porcelain, furniture and gold boxes housed anywhere outside France.
There are also medieval and Renaissance objects, including Limoges enamels, maiolica, glass and bronzes, as well as the finest array of princely arms and armour in Britain, featuring both European and Oriental objects.
Unlike mots museums the Wallace do not usually charge extra for special exhibitions.
Victoria & Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD
Tube: South Kensington
Bus: 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414 & C1
Times: Daily 10:00 - 17:45 (Friday 22:00)
Founded in 1852 and opened on the present site in 1857 the V&A is the largest decorative art and design museum in the world.
The museum features not only British design but design from former colonies, especially the Indian sub-continent.
Since colonial days the scope has widened even further and the Museum's ceramics, glass, textiles, dress, silver, ironwork, jewellery, furniture, sculpture, paintings, prints and photographs now span the cultures of Europe, North America, Asia and North Africa, and date from ancient times to the present day.
More information
Shops and Markets
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street,SE1 1TL
Tube: Borough, London Bridge
Rail: London Bridge
Bus: 43, 141, 149 & 521
Times: Limited Market: Mon - Tue 10:00 - 17:00, Full Market: Wed - Thu 10:00 - 17:00, Fri 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 08:00 - 17:00
Set underneath the railway arches between the River Thames and Borough High Street, Borough Market is the biggest artisan market in London.
With a wide range of food and produce the market caters for both the retail and wholesale sectors.
The market gets very busy, especially on Saturdays and those "in the know" get to the market before 10:00 on a Saturday to avoid the worse of the crowds.
More information
Burlington Arcade
Between Piccadilly and Burlington Gardens
Tube: Green Park, Piccadilly
Bus: 8, 9, 14, 19, 22 & 38
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Times: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 19:30, Sat 09:00 - 18:30, Sun 11:00 - 18:00
The ultimate up-market shopping arcade and a delight for window shoppers.
It is the longest covered shopping arcade in the country and it oozes luxury and opulence.
The arcade is protected by Beadles, the smallest private police force in the country. Dressed in Edwardian frock coats they enforce the arcades rules of:-
"no whistling, singing, playing of musical instruments, running, carrying of large parcels or opening of umbrellas and no babies’ prams."
They are also a good source of information about London.
Camden Lock
Camden Lock Place, NW1
Tube: Camden Town, Chalk Farm, Camden Road
Bus: 24, 214, 274 & 393
Times: 10:00 - late
An eclectic mix of over 1,000 shops and stalls, probably selling anything you can think of and many things you would never have dreamt of.
The area has an anarchic feel and it can get exceptionally crowded at weekends and Bank Holidays.
The market began in 1974 with just 16 stalls and it has grown from there. Arguably the centre for Punk in London , many of the stalls reflect the punk era.
For me the highlight is the sheer variety of street food available, from every corner of the world.
Located next to the Regents Canal you can take a canal boat trip to escape from the hussle and bustle of the market.
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Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly
Tube: Green Park, Piccadilly
Bus: 8, 9, 14, 19, 22 & 38
Times: Mon - Sat 10:00 - 21:00, Sun 11:30 - 18:00
Go to any of the big outdoor social events like Royal Ascot or Henley and you are bound to see a Fortnum & Mason food hamper.
Although it is a general department store it is for its food that Fortnum and Mason is justifiably famous.
The store itself has grand staircases and a general feeling of opulence but it is the food halls which will boggle your eyes and nose. Walk around and you will never see your local supermarket in the same light again.
If you can't wait to get home and sample the shops delights there are plenty of cafés and restaurants.
Foyles
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113-119 Charing Cross Road
Tube: Leicester Square
Bus: 24, 29 & 176
Times: Mon - Sat 09:30 - 21:00, Sun 11:30 -18:00
If you are a book lover you could easily spend a whole day in Foyles.
Set over five floors they stock over 200,000 different titles, as well as CD's and DVD's
London Silver Vaults
Chancery House, Chancery Lane, WC2A 1QS
Tube: Chancery Lane, Holborn
Bus: 8, 25, 242 & 521
Times: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30, Sat 09:00 - 13:00
Situated behind massive safe doors the London Silver Vaults houses silver dealers catering for all budgets.
They boast no customer is too small and all their goods are authentic and it is possible to purchase anything from a silver swizzle stick to a full size, silver armchair.
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Spitalfields
Brushfield Street, E1 6AA
Tube & Rail: Liverpool Street
Bus: 8, 67, 149 & 242
Times: Mon - Fri 08:00 - 23:00, Sat & Sun 09:00 - 23:00 (Markets daily except Monday & Saturday)
The site of the old fruit and vegetable market it is now a combination of market stalls (five days a week) and independent retailers. Initially a Sunday destination Spitalfields is now a seven day a week venue, although it still gets very busy on Sundays.
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