London is alive with creativity, history, and discovery this summer, and its museums are at the heart of it all. If you’re looking for London museums summer holidays inspiration, this is your guide to museum activities in London over the summer holidays. From hands-on workshops for children to world-class exhibitions, there are plenty of family friendly London museums summer holidays experiences to enjoy.
Whether you’re planning a cultural day out, looking for kids activities at London museums summer holidays, or want to know what’s on London museums summer holidays, here’s your round-up of events and exhibitions across London Heritage Quarter.
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Museums
London Transport Museum: Summer Holidays Rail Adventures
When? Daily, 24 July – 1 September 2025
Cost: Adults £25, children under 18 go free (with a full-paying adult)
Booking: Pre-booking online recommended for fast entry
This summer, families can step aboard the Rail Adventures programme, exploring London’s transport history through interactive games, trails, and creative workshops. From storytelling sessions to engineering challenges, there’s something to keep curious minds entertained all day. The museum is pushchair and wheelchair accessible, and with plenty of cafés nearby, it’s ideal for a full family day out.
Churchill War Rooms: Step Into History
When? Daily, all summer long
Cost: Adults from £27, children from £13.50.
Booking: Advance booking online is essential.
Discover the underground headquarters where Winston Churchill directed Britain’s WWII strategy. The Churchill War Rooms offer interactive exhibits and immersive storytelling, making it a fascinating stop for teenagers and adults alike.
Household Cavalry Museum
When? Daily, all summer
Cost: Adults £9, children £7.
Booking: Tickets available online or on arrival.
At the Household Cavalry Museum, families can watch troopers working with horses in the original stables, try on uniforms, and enjoy interactive displays. A brilliant option for children interested in history and the Changing of the Guard.
Historic Houses & Hidden Gems
Somerset House: Summer in the Courtyard
When? Daily events throughout July and August 2025
Cost: Many outdoor events are free; special exhibitions and installations may be ticketed.
Booking: Check the Somerset House What’s On page for details.
Somerset House transforms into a cultural hub each summer with Summer in the Courtyard. Expect outdoor installations, pop-up performances, and family-friendly creative spaces. Pack suncream, a refillable water bottle, and a picnic blanket to enjoy the riverside atmosphere. The venue is pushchair accessible, with lifts and accessible toilets available.
The Royal Society of Arts (RSA): Inspiring Talks & Exhibitions
When? Selected events throughout summer
Cost: Many talks and exhibitions are free with registration.
Booking: Advance booking strongly advised.
The RSA offers thought-provoking exhibitions and events for teens and adults, exploring art, design, and social change. A great stop if you’re combining cultural activities with family friendly London museums summer holidays.
Benjamin Franklin House: Historical Experiences
When? Selected dates over summer holidays
Cost: Adults £12, children £6.
Booking: Advance booking required.
Step back into the 18th century at Benjamin Franklin House, the only remaining Franklin home in the world. Family-friendly events include historical reenactments, tours, and science workshops inspired by Franklin’s experiments.
Two Temple Place: Summer Exhibitions
When? Celebration of Makers: 28 to 31 August. Dates for other exhibitions vary
Cost: Many exhibitions are free; donations encouraged.
Booking: Online booking may be required for special events.
This riverside mansion opens its doors for special exhibitions and cultural events during the summer months, showcasing art, history, and design. A hidden gem ideal for families looking to explore beyond the traditional museum circuit. Save the date for Celebration of Makers at the end of August. This free event allows visitors to discover the craftsmanship behind Two Temple Place with live stone and wood carving, gilding, stained glass demos, workshops for all ages, talks on the building’s history, and a makers market featuring Crafty Fox Market.
Galleries
The Courtauld Gallery: Family Fridays
When? Every Friday, 26 July – 30 August 2025
Cost: Included with gallery admission (Adults £14, children under 18 free)
Booking: Recommended online in advance
The Courtauld’s Family Fridays are perfect for creative kids. Each week offers a different art-inspired workshop, from sketching and collage to exploring Impressionist masterpieces. All materials are provided—just bring your imagination! The gallery is fully accessible and has baby-changing facilities, making it a great family friendly London museums option.
The National Gallery: Free Summer of Art
When? Daily, workshops until 31 August 2025
Cost: Entry to the permanent collection is free; some workshops may be ticketed
Booking: Workshops should be booked in advance online
The Free Summer of Art programme offers families a chance to get hands-on with art. Children can join drop-in workshops, while adults explore the gallery’s incredible collection. With free admission, it’s one of the most accessible family friendly London museums summer holidays experiences. Bring sketchbooks or pick up art packs on-site.
Mall Galleries: Summer Exhibitions
When? Selected dates across July and August 2025
Cost: Around £5–£10 per adult, under-25s often free.
Booking: Tickets available online.
For older children and adults, Mall Galleries hosts a rotation of summer exhibitions spotlighting emerging and established artists. Expect contemporary painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Families can join tours and talks—check individual event dates before visiting.
Tate Britain: Edward Burra and Ithell Colquhoun Exhibitions
When? On display until 19 October 2025
Cost: Entry to main galleries free; special exhibitions ticketed.
Booking: Advance booking recommended.
This summer, Tate Britain presents two groundbreaking exhibitions under one ticket: Edward Burra and Ithell Colquhoun. Burra’s bold watercolours capture the energy and conflict of 20th-century urban life, while Colquhoun’s surreal works explore identity, mysticism, and the occult. With over 220 works on display, it’s a rare chance to discover two visionary artists side by side. Suitable for teens, adults, and older children with an interest in art.
Royal Collection Trust: Summer at Buckingham Palace & Beyond
When? Selected dates throughout summer
Cost: Adults from £32, children from £16.
Booking: Advance booking online recommended.
From Buckingham Palace summer openings to special exhibitions at The King’s Gallery and across royal sites, the Royal Collection Trust offers unique experiences for families and visitors keen to explore Britain’s living history.
Music & Events at Iconic Institutions
St Mary le Strand: Summer Concerts & Events
When? Various dates throughout summer
Cost: Price dependent on concert
Booking: Some events may require tickets in advance.
Known as the ‘Jewel of the Strand,’ St Mary le Strand hosts summer concerts and cultural events in a stunning baroque church setting. Perfect for families seeking a mix of history, music, and quiet reflection in central London.
Westminster Abbey: Summer Events & Family Trails
When? Daily, with special family activities on selected dates
Cost: Many events are free
Booking: Check the website for ticketed events
From family discovery trails to special services and concerts, Westminster Abbey offers summer activities for all ages. Children can explore history through interactive resources, while adults enjoy the beauty and heritage of this world-famous site.
Westminster Cathedral: Music and Culture
When? Various events all summer
Cost: Many free; donations encouraged.
Booking: Check the website for ticketed events.
The UK’s largest Catholic church, Westminster Cathedral, hosts organ recitals, choir performances, and cultural gatherings throughout summer. It’s a peaceful retreat for families and music lovers alike.
St Clement Danes: RAF Church Events
When? Selected dates
Cost: Many free; donations welcome.
Booking: Some events require pre-booking.
Known as the central church of the RAF, St Clement Danes offers services, concerts, and heritage events. A moving experience for families interested in history and commemoration.
St Martin-in-the-Fields: Concerts & Summer Dining
When? Concerts and dining events on selected dates throughout summer
Cost: Concert tickets from £15; Pizza Garden meals from £12.
Booking: Online booking strongly advised for concerts.
Enjoy Candlelight Concerts in the Crypt, al fresco dining in the new Pizza Garden, and live outdoor music at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Perfect for teenagers and adults who enjoy culture, food, and atmosphere.
Other Cultural Highlights Nearby
Alongside these museum events, there are plenty of summer activities across the London Heritage Quarter area:
- Kids Go Free Theatre Tickets (throughout August).
- The Guards Museum – part of Westminster City Council’s Inside Out Festival in August.
- Churchill War Rooms – explore history underground.
- Supreme Court Tours – discover justice up close.
Planning Your Visit
With so much happening, it’s worth planning ahead for what’s on London museums summer holidays. Whether you’re after kids activities at London museums summer holidays, world-class exhibitions, or family friendly London museums summer holidays, the LHQ area is packed with choice. From creative art sessions at the National Gallery to hands-on history at the London Transport Museum, there’s something for every age, interest, and budget.
- Costs: Many family friendly London museums are free to enter, though exhibitions and workshops may have ticket fees.
- Booking: Advance booking is always recommended for popular workshops, tours, and exhibitions.
- Accessibility: All the venues listed above are wheelchair and pushchair accessible, with family facilities available.
- What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and a small bag (some galleries have bag restrictions). Art materials are usually provided at workshops.