London’s museums are world-class, with many of them gloriously free to enter and enjoy. Whether you’re a kid with your sights on dinosaurs, or an aficionado on the prowl for a sophisticated gallery, there’s truly something for everyone. There’s art crawling all over the city. That even includes those who work until the early evening, or eager visitors slogging through a long day of sightseeing, and want even more things to do. While we do our best to make sure everything’s correct, please check with the venue before setting off.
1. British Museum
The British Museum is the most visited attraction in the UK, which in itself is crazy. Attend in-demand exhibitions, stroll through world-famous exhibits, and enjoy basking under the largest covered public square in Europe, all under the evening sky. Check out the latest info on British Museum lates here.
🕑 Lates are on Fridays, until 8:30PM.
📍 You’ll find the British Museum at Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, and Russell Square.
2. The National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery proudly sits at the top of Trafalgar Square, and houses endless corridors of portraits and artworks from esteemed artists worldwide. It was closed between 2020-2023 for an extensive refurbishment, and is now future-ready. On lates, last entry is 8:30PM. Check here for the latest late opening details.
🕑 Lates are on Fridays and Saturdays, until 9PM.
📍 You’ll find the National Portrait Gallery at St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE.
🚇 Nearest stations are Charing Cross Road and Leicester Square.
3. The Photographers’ Gallery
This one’s one of my all-time favourites. The Photographers’ Gallery is a paradise for lovers of photography. It’s a fascinating way to observe the world around us. It’s known for its animated photographer guest talks in its classy cafe space, with a discerning audience popping by. Sometimes, entry is free on Friday afternoons onwards. Check hours here.
🕑 Lates are on Thursdays and Fridays, until 8PM.
📍 You’ll find The Photographers’ Gallery at 16-18 Ramillies Street, London, W1F7LW.
🚇 Nearest stations are Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road.
4. The V&A
As part of a family of museums dedicated to creativity in its most artsy, conceptual forms, the main V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) was originally founded in 1899, and is a modern state-of-the-art gallery to this day. It still holds onto its impressive history, though, with a 150 year-old cafe (London’s oldest.) This one’s one of my all-time favourites. There’s high art, photography (with a gallery named after Elton John amongst others.) Check out the latest here.
🕑 Lates are on the last Friday of every month (except January, May and December), times vary.
📍 You’ll find The V&A South Kensington at South Kensington Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL.
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
5. Science Museum
Wooph, this is one of London’s coolest museums, as a fan-favourite for kids, stressed parents, and groups of international visitors. The Science Museum impressively traverses time and (literal) space, from Victorian engineering and explorations of space and the galaxy, to advancements in communication technology and transport. There’s a huge selection of exhibits across four floors, and plenty to see. The Science Museum’s lates are adults-only, and run across various dates.
🕑 Lates run on various dates. Check here for the latest.
📍 You’ll find The Science Museum at Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD.
🚇 Nearest stations are South Kensington and Gloucester Road.
6. London Transport Museum
I don’t go here nearly enough as I’d like. The London Transport Museum is a time capsule of our city’s expansive transport network, which in itself is like a city of its own. Genuine, preserved artefacts from our transport’s past at their historic Covent Garden’s site, where you’ll also learn all the cool trivia to tell your pals down the pub. To check out the latest on… Lates (ahem), click or tap here.
🕑 Lates run on various dates.
📍 You’ll find London Transport Museum at Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Southwark and Blackfriars.
7. Tate Modern
Tate Modern is one of London’s most discerning galleries. Its mission statement is to allow the public to enjoy British art, ever since the 16th century. In today’s world, it prides itself on being one of the most contemporary, international art spaces. Pop by to snoop around art, photography, music, talks, and even skyline views from its high-up platform (with a cafe up there, for good measure.) Tate Modern runs lates across various dates. Have a look here for the latest.
🕑 Tate Modern will stay open until 9PM Fridays and Saturdays from 25 September 2025.
📍 You’ll find Tate Modern at Bankside, London, SE1 9TG.
🚇 Nearest stations are Southwark and Blackfriars.
8. Bank of England Museum
I wasn’t sure about this one the first time I went. But it’s actually quite interesting. In short, it’s a genuinely interesting collection about not only the history of the Bank of England (with a socially conscientious reflection on its legacy built from slavery), but it’s a colourful and engaging look at money, both in the physical form (you can see some proper old coins and notes), and as how we as a country have used it in the past, how it’s evolving, and its future. I was particularly fascinated with its exhibition on digital currency and where we might end up with that. Check out all you need to know here.
🕑 Lates run every third Thursday of the month, until 8pm (last entry 7:30pm.)
📍 You’ll find the Bank of England Museum at Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH. It’s a tricky one to find: The BoEM is in the same building as the Bank of England. If you are facing the Bank of England’s main entrance on Threadneedle Street, they’re around the corner on the right.
🚇 Nearest stations are Bank, Cannon Street, and Moorgate.
I’m shouting-out The Design Museum and the Barbican Art Gallery, both of which are gorgeous places that usually have late nights, but are currently not running them, or are temporarily closed (respectively). The Barbican Art Gallery will reopen in September with an exhibition: Dirty Looks.
So, there you have it, early-evening owls. Whether you fancy a post-work nosey, a quieter evening without the daytime throng, or want to cap-off a full-on day of sightseeing with some culture, air-con, and a sit-down amongst the artwork, here’s a brief look at some of the museums and galleries with late-opening hours.
