ONE of the UK’s biggest free museums has been named the most popular attraction in the UK.
The Natural History Museum in has knocked off the British Museum from the top spot of most guests, with the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) revealing 7.1million people visited last year.
The Natural History Museum is the UK’s most popular attractionCredit: Alamy
This marked the best year in terms of visitors for the free attraction, with a 13 per cent rise compared to the previous year.
The attraction happens to be one of Travel Reporter favourite free attractions in London.
She said: “Having been to the Natural History Museum recently, I’m not surprised it’s the UK’s most popular
“Other are impressive, but you won’t ever forget walking in to see the skeleton of an 82-foot Blue Whale in the entryway.
“There’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in reptiles and birds.
“My favourite part is The Vault where there are some of the most valuable treasures like diamonds, amethyst and gold crystals.
“There’s lots of green spaces outside too, and I saw lots of children enjoying the Evolution Garden with dinosaurs like a bronze Diplodocus that was installed a few years ago.”
Over the next couple of years, the Natural History Museum is also working on new openings.
A new Human Nature pop-up display will open in September 2026, inside a gallery that has been closed for 80 years.
Inside, visitors will be able to discover stories about human history and the natural world, with a number of specimens and historical objects on display that haven’t been seen before.
There will also be a prototype of one of the dinosaurs, a monk seal called Jenny ‘the talking fish’ and a handaxe that was discovered alongside the remains of a woolly mammoth in 1859.
Later in 2027, there will be a new permanent specifically for young children.
It will be designed for four to seven-year-olds with lots of hands-on about the natural world.
London, UK – February 15 2025: Visitors admire Dippy the iconic dinosaur skeleton situated in front of the grand Romanesque Revival architecture of the Natural History Museum in LondonCredit: Getty
Doug Gurr, director of the , said: “We are thrilled to be the UK’s most popular visitor attraction, smashing all previous records for the sector!”
London has a load of free attractions as well, including some right by the Natural History Museum.
One of Sun Travel’s Deputy Travel Editors favourite free attractions in the city is just down the road.
She said: “Having started my career in fashion, it’s no surprise that the museum I’ve been to the most in London is the
“The museum itself is fantastic – not only for being free to visit, but because it’s the on arts and design in the world.
“Also the second largest in the UK (behind the, my favourite area is the Asian corridor, with insanely detailed artwork and sculptures.
The V&A museum is also in South Kensington and is free to visitCredit: Getty
The Science Museum is also close to the Natural History MuseumCredit: Getty
“There’s loads of free events coming right now, including one on Women Printmakers and one on iconic American Photographs.
“Make sure to save time for the too. It’s also the oldest of its kind in the world and is a stunner.”
And Sun Travel’s Head of Travel (digital) also loves the Science Museum nearby.
She said: “The in South Kensington is perfect for kids of all ages, I’ve been taking my child there since he was a one-year-old, as
the interactive ‘Garden’ in the basement is perfect for toddlers and
pre-schoolers.
“There are plenty of excellent free exhibitions around the museum – one
of our favourites being the Space section – but the most popular (and
deservedly so) is the paying Wonderlab, an interactive gallery featuring numerous experiments that will fascinate children aged 3-14.
“Tickets cost from £15 for this area.”
Alternatively, you could visit an exciting attraction on
Caroline shared: “Until I visited the I thought it was all hype.
“Now, my son and I will make a 25-minute detour to spend even 20 minutes there, when we’re in
“The huge multi-screened space on Tottenham Court Road screens
artist-made short films throughout the day, and you can walk in from
the street and spend as little or as much time there as you want.
“With screens covering the sides and ceiling, you really do feel like
you are inside the films.”
The Southbank Centre has lots of free activities each school holidaysCredit: Getty
And there’s also the
Caroline added: “If I got a quid for every time I raved about the Southbank Centre, I could probably afford a slap-up meal at .
“As a mum of a primary school-aged kid who lives in London, we visit
the venue on London’s Southbank almost every school holiday.
“They have a range of that change monthly.
“We’ve done free kids raves, free doodling workshops, free crafts sessions and free DIY sessions where my six-year-old was given a hammer and saw and encouraged to help build a Moomin House overlooking the
“Oh, and the free Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms fountains are one of the
best places to take a kid for a splash around during a summer
heatwave.”
Or you could head to a number of galleries including the Tate Britain or National Portrait Gallery.
Alice said: “When I head to London, I make a beeline for the galleries.
“Getting to see walls upon walls lined with famous artwork for absolutely nothing is something we take for granted – and there are plenty to see in the city.
“There’s the Tate Modern and Tate Britain, The National Portrait Gallery, the where you can see one of my favourite portraits, The Ugly Duchess.
“Not to mention lots of these venues haveand even bars if you fancy taking a weight off your feet after exploring.”
Here are some other spots to visit across London that are free to visit.
London also has a number of free galleries including the Tate ModernCredit: Getty
MinaLima features different items that are in the Harry Potter filmsCredit: Alamy
MinaLima
Elsewhere in London, you could head to one of Travel Reporter favourite spots – MinaLima.
Found in Soho, MinaLima is a shop and attraction that features the graphic designs from the films.
Named after Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, who are responsible for most of the designs you see in the films including the Daily Prophet, the Advanced Potion Making textbook and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, the destination features themed items for sale as well as prints of their designs.
Make sure to spend time exploring as there are also items from the films, and speak to the staff, who really know their stuff.
London parks
There are also a number of amazing to visit in London including Kara’s favourite, the commons in south west London.
She said: “I spent the best part of a decade living in south London, with two years of that in and out of the Covid lockdowns.
“To stop myself from going insane, this meant lots of walking around my local
“And from Balham you can easily walk three of the best in one day.
“I recommend starting at Common, one of the more open parks of the three with ponds and a Victorian bandstand that often has live concerts.
Clapham Common has ponds and a Victorian bandstandCredit: Getty
“Go down to Wandsworth Common, and you can walk along the train tracks or across the pond.
“Then nip through Balham (with a coffee at The Apple Blue Patisserie or Insta-famous Milk) and end in Tooting Bec Common, with a much more leafier and interesting park to explore.
“Need to cool down? Finish with a swim at as well, the biggest freshwater lido in the UK (£9.40 for adults or free for locals).”
Travel Reporter favourite free spots also make good walks.
She said: “London has over 3,000 parks to explore, but St James’s Park is one of my favourites.
“This is mainly because I’m a big fan of the unique Duck Island, an aptly-named nature reserve on the east of St James’s Park Lake.
“The island has its own which is surrounded by vibrant greenery and blooming flowers in the springtime, looking like something out of a fairy-tale story book.
“Plus there’s scenic picnic spots by the bandstand, and several kiosks serving cold drinks and sandwiches to enjoy when the sun comes out – save those crusts for the birds!”
Or head to Lisa Minot’s favourite – Primrose Hill.
She said: “For fabulous FREE views across the whole of London, head to Primrose Hill in
“First opened in 1842 as an open space for Londoners, it was originally part of hunting grounds.
“Today it offers fantastic panoramic views of the capital and is popular at sunrise and
“It is one of six protected viewpoints in London, its highest point more than 63 metres above tree level.
“Trees are also kept low so as not to obscure the view.”
Covent Garden Piazza
If you fancy something a little more urban, venture to Piazza.
Jenna added: “There’s plenty of both branded and independent shops to browse, traditional cafes and plus there’s always a pop-up giving away tasty treats of some kind.
“Head into the and Piazza for the best atmosphere in the area.
“Here you’ll hear live music rising from the lower level that makes your stroll through the building even more beautiful.”
In the city centre, head to Covent Garden Piazza where you can browse shops including well-known brands and independent shopsCredit: Getty
Borough Market is also a great spot to explore, though you will need to spend a bit of money if you want some foodCredit: Getty
Borough Market
Another favourite spot of Lisa’s is
She said: “From the viral strawberries in melted chocolate to endless street food options, traders have been operating from London’s Borough Market for more than 1,000 years.
“Today’s unique Victorian arcades, built in 1850, are home to stands offering premium quality speciality foods as well as plenty of grab-and-go options from oysters and paella to burgers and
“While you don’t have to pay to wander the busy pathways of Borough Market, the tempting foods on offer will mean you will not be able to resist parting with some of your cash!”
In other attraction news, there’s a which has been named among the best places to visit in the world – but it’s not for everyone.
Plus, – and its top attraction is returning this week.
The Natural History Museum is also set to open two new galleries in the futureCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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