London Museum Pass
London doesn't have a standalone museum pass – its most celebrated institutions, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Natural History Museum, are free to enter year-round. The best alternatives are the National Art Pass, which covers 250+ venues and cuts 50% off paid special exhibitions, and the London Pass, which bundles 36 paid museums alongside major landmarks. This page compares both options, covers what each includes, and explains when either is worth buying.
Everything in the pass
What's included
National Art Pass
An annual pass from charity Art Fund giving free entry to 250+ venues across the UK, including 43 in London. Standard price is £83/year, or £62.25 by Direct Debit. Students pay £10.
London Pass (museum access)
The London Pass covers 36 paid museums and attractions, including the Courtauld Gallery, London Transport Museum, Florence Nightingale Museum, and Apsley House. It runs on consecutive calendar days.
50% off paid exhibitions
The National Art Pass gives 50% off temporary exhibitions at participating venues, including the V&A and Royal Museums Greenwich. A £28 ticketed show becomes £14 – two visits can recover the annual cost.
Design Museum
General admission to the Design Museum in Kensington normally costs £18. The National Art Pass grants free entry. It's one of the clearest single-venue wins for the pass in London.
Free nationals not included
The British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, V&A permanent galleries, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, and Science Museum are all free to enter. No pass adds value for their permanent collections.
Where to buy
National Art Pass: , with annual and Direct Debit options. The London Pass (for museum access within a city pass): or
Common questions
FAQs
Is there a London museum pass for tourists?
There isn't a dedicated museum-only pass for London. The reason is structural: the British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, V&A, Tate Modern, and Science Museum are all free. The closest alternative is the National Art Pass (£83/year), which gives free entry to 250+ venues including the Design Museum and 50% off paid special exhibitions at major institutions.
Is the National Art Pass worth it for a London visit?
Yes, if you plan to attend two or more paid temporary exhibitions. A single ticketed show at the V&A or Royal Museums Greenwich typically costs £20–28; at 50% off you save £10–14 per visit. Two visits recovers the cost of the pass. Students break even in one visit at £10. It's less useful if you're only visiting free permanent collections.
Where can I buy the National Art Pass?
Directly You can pay annually (£83 standard, £50 under-30s, £10 students) or monthly by Direct Debit, which reduces the standard price to £62.25/year. The pass is posted to you – allow a few days before your visit, or ask about a downloadable day pass option if you're booking last-minute.
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