Free museums and galleries in London

The British Museum charts two million years of human history and culture, with 80,000 objects on display across 70 rooms. It’s home to some of the world’s most famous objects, as well as meticulously researched special exhibitions. Don’t miss the Sutton Hoo ship burial finds and the Rosetta Stone, which unlocked the meaning of the Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Across the three playful galleries at Young V&A are interactive exhibits, objects from much-loved children’s stories and workshops for older kids. This colourful, fun museum is specifically aimed at young people – right down to the lunchtime meal boxes in the Town Square Café.

Home to 220,000 works from the 8th century to the present day, the National Portrait Gallery explores all aspects of the art of portraiture – from historic works offering a glimpse into the past, through to cutting-edge contemporary painting. Enjoy the recent rehang of the entire collection, presenting stories previously missing from British history, and explore the galleries in the newly converted East Wing.

This lesser-known gem combines a medieval palace that was the childhood home of Henry VIII with an Art Deco extension built by unconventional millionaires Virginia and Stephen Courtauld – who added a map room, golden bathroom and quarters for their pet lemur. Along with 19 acres of gardens and a glasshouse café, it’s an endlessly surprising place to explore.

Dulwich Picture Gallery predates the National Gallery, and is home to a collection which began as a commission for the King of Poland. Beyond this intriguing history, the gallery has built a reputation for its brilliant programme of special exhibitions – and the peaceful grounds are a lovely spot for lunch.

The former home and studio of celebrated Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton has exceptional rooms decorated by craftspeople and artists over a 30-year period. Now a museum filled with paintings by Leighton and his contemporaries, the house is a jaw-dropping example of a home transformed into an artwork in its own right.

Charting 5,000 years of art and design within superbly crafted surrounds, the V&A regularly commands record visitor numbers. Housed in a building that took 50 years to complete are numerous priceless rarities among a collection of 2.3 million objects and exceptional temporary exhibitions.

Founded by a group of artists and poets in 1946, the ICA is now dedicated to presenting and producing new work in performance, film, music and the visual arts, with a cross-disciplinary programme that interrogates our past and present, as well as looking to the future. It has a history of promoting visionary new artists – so is always one to watch.

Most famous for its exceptional collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, the Courtauld Gallery is the place to see stand-out works by Van Gogh, Manet, Renoir and Cézanne alongside artworks ranging from the medieval period to the present day. A £57m refurbishment has seen the galleries refreshed and rehung in the stunning surrounds of Somerset House.

International modern and contemporary art fill the spaces of the former Bankside Power Station, with a modern extension offering 10 additional floors to explore. At the heart of Tate Modern is the Turbine Hall, a cavernous space that’s been used for installations on a scale unlike any you’ll see elsewhere.