Museums in London: things to know before you go

There are museums in London for everyone, from those with a penchant for scientific innovation to budding Attenboroughs. We’ve answered some of the most common questions to help you find your perfect day out.

What are the best things to see in the British Museum?

With over eight million items to its name, and over 80,000 on public display at any one time, there are some amazing things to see at the British Museum in London, including:

• Rosetta Stone. Discovered in 1799, the Rosetta Stone has the same decree inscribed on the surface in hieroglyphic, demotic and ancient Greek. As scholars could still read ancient Greek at the time of discovery, this valuable object provided the key to reading hieroglyphs.
• Parthenon Marbles. The Elgin Marbles were originally part of the Parthenon; a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and one of the most famous buildings in the ancient world. These iconic marble sculptures share an insight into the history of ancient Athens.
• Lewis Chessmen. Part of an extraordinary hoard found hidden in a sand dune on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, these beautifully carved medieval masterpieces in walrus ivory delight visitors with their distinctive characterful expressions.

What is there to see at the Natural History Museum in London?

The Natural History Museum is home to an incredible 80 million specimens and a large number of collections that help us understand more about the natural world. The museum’s permanent dinosaur exhibition draws crowds from all over the world to gaze upon the remains of the iconic T Rex and see the skull of a Triceratops. The blue whale exhibit is breath-taking for its sheer size, and it's fascinating to see models of extinct mammals alongside specimens of their modern relatives. There's so much to see that we recommend taking a tour with Babylon Tours to catch the best bits. Don't miss the Science Museum, Design Museum and London Transport Museum too.

What is the difference between an art gallery and museum?

While a museum features many different kinds of exhibits, including paintings and art, most of its pieces are held for public enjoyment. Most art galleries, on the other hand, profit from the sales of the artwork. A museum is a non-profit organisation that relies upon gifts, grants and admissions to pay for running costs.

An art gallery has a specific artistic focus and works to promote its artists and sell their artwork, paying them for each sale, minus commission.

What museum has the largest collection of art?

The National Gallery art museum based in London's Trafalgar Square holds one of the largest collections of art in the UK - over 2,300 works of art spanning from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It aims to care and grow this prestige collection, whilst keeping it open to the public. See famous paintings by artists such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Turner, Botticelli and Rembrandt amongst many others. It's well worth taking a tour to get that educated insight into the world of art.