For a country so steeped in history, its perhaps unsurprising that the Capital contains such a vast number of museums. Recent proposed legislation will hopefully ensure that a number of the major museums remain free, but where you do have to pay, its often around the £5 mark.

If you're planning on going to a lot of museums its probably worth purchasing a 'London White Card'. This is a three or a seven day pass to fifteen of the major museums. Its costs £16 for three days or £26 for seven days. Family cards are available and these cost £32 for three days or £50 for seven days. A family card covers two adults and four children.

The British Museum
The British Museum, Europe’s most famous museum, and London’s most popular attraction is a must see for any visitor to London. Ninety four galleries of archaelogical finds, prints, coins, antiquities and more.

BT Museum
Note: The BT Museum closed its doors to the public in August 1997. The museum was atribute to the history of telecommunications, as told by British Telecom. Packed with school kids, the museum was another hands on experience. Lots of historical machinery and very enthralling.

Design Museum
Not one of London’s major museums, but compulsory for fans of modern contemporary design. Located in the Terrence Conran ’gastrodome’ (he has a number of excellent restaurants in the locale),it was Conran who engineered the construction of the museum. A study of design, old and new, the Design Museum, located overlooking the Thames and the Tower of London, makes an interesting diversion before popping down to Cantina for lunch.

Charles Dickens Museum
The Charles Dickens Museum at 48 Doughty Street is the only surviving London home of Dickens (from 1837 until 1839) and is where Charles Dickens wrote Oliver Twist. Spread over four floors, the museum features paintings, rare editions, manuscripts, original furniture and many items relating to Dickens’ life and the Victorian era.

Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum was originally founded in London in 1917 to commemorate those who died or suffered in the First World War. It has since expanded to include all conflicts, and now has branches elsewhere in the UK. The museum aims to provide and encourage a study and understanding of the history of modern war and how it affects our lives. Focussing on British and Commonwealth conflicts from the First World War to the present day, the museum features military vehicles, weapons, war memorabilia, a library, a photographic archive and an art collection, and the exhibits also include film and sound recordings.

The Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum in Camden is home to a huge variety of treasures, paintings and textiles presented and dedicated to celebrating Anglo - Jewish life. Videos explain the meaning of the ritual objects on display.

London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum charts the development of transport, from the first horse drawn bus to the very latest in technology. Housed in a section of the old Covent Garden flower market, the London Transport Museum is an interactive experience, encouraging you to get a physical feel of some of the exhibits. There are numerous transport related art exhibitions, and a chance to have look at the development of the Jubilee line extension.

Museum of London
The Museum of London documents the history of London from the Pilaelithic period to the Present day. Opened in the 1970s, it is just a short ten minute walk from St. Pauls. The museum contains chronological galleries, artifacts, models, pictures and diagrams. There are currently projects in progress to develop interactive exhibits.

The National Gallery
Situated on the north side of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery has been the home for the National Collection of Art from the thirteenth to the twentieth century. All art after 1900 is kept in the Tate Modern on the South Bank. The gallery contains more than 2,300 paintings - all of which are owned by the British public. There is no admission charge to the main collection, although there is a collection box to allow donations to support the upkeep of the gallery. There are special exhibitions from time to time which do charge an admission fee. One of the three mainstream ’must-see’ galleries for any visitor to London.

The National Portrait Gallery
From medieval to present time, the National Portrait Gallery houses over 10,000 portraits of famous men and women throughout British history from as early as Henry VII to the present Queen. Notable portraits include Henry VIII, William Shakespeare, Rudyard Kipling and William Ewart Gladstone.

The Science Museum
Founded in 1892, the Science Museum was originally a combination of items from the Royal Society of Arts and the Great Exhibition of 1857, but now is home to an unparalleled collection of technological history running to hundreds of thousands of exhibits. From the first jet engine to Stephenson’s Rocket, Babbage’s Difference Engine to Crick’s original DNA model, many interactive exhibits and the new iMax theatre showing science and nature in glorious 3D, the museum showcases formative moments in the history of science and technology; the journey from the industrial revolution to the present day is shown in the museum’s collection. The interactive nature of many of the exhibits makes it a haven for kids of all ages. Also within the museum is an extensive libary, formerly the National Library for Science, Medicine and Technology, which holds a variety of ancient manuscripts, early books and periodicals and is a source of learning for many international scholars.

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