Here's How To Experience London's Museums Virtually

By Maire Rose Connor Last edited 48 months ago
Here's How To Experience London's Museums Virtually

In a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, many of London's cultural institutions are closing their doors to the public for the time being. But that doesn't mean you have to become a total philistine — thanks to an incredible range of virtual tours, you can visit some of the capital's best-loved museums, galleries and historic buildings without getting up from your sofa... and it won't cost you a penny. Here are some of our favourites:

British Museum

Image: British Museum

When it comes to virtual tours, you're spoilt for choice at British Museum. As well as an admittedly somewhat glitch-prone Google Street View tour of the museum's exterior, there's one which features several of its exhibition rooms. Each room spotlights a particular exhibit of interest, with links to further information about the artefact.

Alternatively, there's this rather slick tool. Rather than guiding you through the physical museum, the multi-sensory Museum of the World tour lets you browse exhibits by century, continent and themes — such as art and design, trade and conflict, or religion and belief. Each exhibit featured comes with a detailed biography, an audio description, and links to related objects.

Find virtual tours of the British Museum here and here.

The Courtauld Gallery

The Courtauld Institute

The Courtauld Gallery is well ahead of the shuttering curve. It closed all the way back in 2018 for major redevelopment, but you can see what it used to look like in incredible detail thanks to this virtual tour. Zoom in on masterpieces like Vincent van Gogh's Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear, or Amadeo Modgliani's Female Nude as you explore all seven rooms of the gallery.

Take a virtual tour of the Courtauld Gallery.

Houses of Parliament

The House of Commons. Image: UK Parliament

Fancy a trip to the Palace of Westminster? Created in partnership with Aardvark 360, this remains one of London's most impressive virtual tours. Explore fourteen spectacular rooms, including the House of Commons chamber, St Stephen's Hall and the Royal Gallery. The Central Lobby, with its magnificent vaulted ceilings, is especially well-rendered.

Take a virtual tour of the Houses of Parliament.

National Gallery

Image: Albert Jafar via the Londonist Flickr Pool

Take in panoramic views of the National Gallery on a Google Street View tour. Created back in 2016, this tour covers Rooms 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 in the gallery, as well as its Central Hall. This gives you access to over 300 Renaissance masterpieces, along with description on individual art works.

Take a virtual tour of the National Gallery

Natural History Museum

Image: Natural History Museum

While not as slick as some of the other tours we've included, this Google Arts and Culture tour of the Natural History Museum is nevertheless a great way to keep kids entertained — and educated — during the lockdown, thanks it part to its large range of animal exhibits. Each room featured on the tour comes with links to trivia about select specimens, and you'll get even a glimpse of Dippy the Dinosaur, who left the museum for a national tour back in 2018.

Take a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum

RAF Museum

Image: RAF Museum

Here's one for the aviation buffs. Explore the Royal Airforce Museum's Bomber Hall, Historic Hangers, and former airfield controller — AKA Grahame White Watch Office — from the comfort of your own home. Just remember to enable Flash.

Take a virtual tour of the RAF Museum

Royal Academy of Arts

Installation by Kengo Kuma. Photo © Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2014. Photography: James Harris. / © Kengo Kuma.& Associates

This beautifully-rendered virtual tour by Eye Revolution allows you to revisit the acclaimed 2014 architecture exhibition, Sensing Spaces at the RA. This highly ambitious architecture exhibition featured work by Pezo von Ellrichshausen, Kengo Kuma, and many more. Step back in time and discover it for yourself, alongside detailed descriptions of each installation.

Take a virtual tour of Sensing Spaces at the Royal Academy of Arts.


Once you've worked your way for all of that lot, there are plenty of museums further afield for you to visit virtually, including the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and MoMa in New York. Check out the full collection on Google Arts and Culture here.

Last Updated 19 March 2020