The 11 best small museums in London for art and design

London may be a museum capital of Europe, with heavy hitters like the British Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern as some of the most visited museums in the world. But London’s small museums offer a quiet insight into the city’s rich art history. These are the best small museums in London for art and design lovers.

Dennis Severs’ House

Dennis Severs' House, situated in a Georgian townhouse in London, is a one-of-a-kind museum. It offers visitors a captivating voyage into the 18th century, where they can encounter life as it existed for a Huguenot silk weaving family. The museum presents an impression that the family has momentarily left the house, welcoming guests to explore the rooms. The museum authentically creates each room with period-specific furniture, artefacts, and odours, leaving visitors completely immersed in the experience. Dennis Severs, an American artist, acquired the house in the 1970s, and he dedicated years to convert it to its current state, lending to the museum's magic and appeal. Among the many wonderful house museums in London, this may be the best.

Museum of the Home

The Museum of the Home, situated in East London, previously known as the Geffrye Museum, strives to offer visitors a historical perspective on the living spaces of British households from the 1600s till now. Once visitors step inside the exhibition halls, they will be transported to various rooms that mirror the lifestyles of diverse social ranks across ages. The museum wholeheartedly recreates every room, from the Victorian coal-powered fireplace of a working-class family to the simple living room of the 2000s. The museum offers an authentic glimpse into the past lives of ordinary London residents, something difficult to access at other museums.

John Soane’s Museum

The Sir John Soane's Museum is a magnificent small museum in London. Located in Lincoln's Inn Fields, this impressive museum stands as a testament to the creative vision of Sir John Soane and was his home. Leaving behind his legacy from the 1800s, the home is left as he curated it, and is full of drawings, artefacts, paintings and furniture both designed by him and from art history. As a prominent architect in the early 19th century, Soane’s house includes many of his drawings as well as intruiguing architectural and lighting tricks within the space itself. The museum even houses such wonders such as an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus once destined for the British Museum but which they could not afford at the time. Soane’s museum offers a chance to get up close and personal with these objects in a way that is much different to the larger museums in London, which is what makes it such a unique museum in London.

The Wallace Collection

While not exactly small, the Wallace Collection in Marylebone packs a punch with its art collection and is much more manageable to explore than larger London art museums. The museum, housed in a grand townhouse, showcases art and artefacts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, providing a glimpse into the opulence of aristocratic life during that era. With its lavish furnishings, ornate tapestries, and priceless paintings, The Wallace Collection recreates a world of elegance and decadence that was once the exclusive domain of noble families. Designed as a home, it feels more like a palace, with a stunning array of works displayed in each room, transporting visitors to a different era with every step. The museum's founder, Sir Richard Wallace, was a collector and philanthropist, passionate about creating a space where people could experience the beauty of art and history in one location. The Wallace Collection houses some masterpieces of Rococo and Baroque art in a relatively small London museum.

The Courtauld Gallery

Somerset House is home to the Courtauld Gallery, an outstanding museum small museum packed to the brim with Renaissance to modernist paintings. Industrialist and art connoisseur Samuel Courtauld established the museum in 1932 with the intention of making his works available to the public. The original collection consisted of a variety of 19th century masterpieces, including works by renowned artists such as Van Gogh and Cézanne. The museum has since expanded its collection with notable pieces from the likes of Rubens, Gauguin, and Manet. It is widely recognised as one of the premier small museums worldwide and houses my favourite painting of all time, Manet’s Bar at the Folies Bergere.

Leighton House Museum

Leighton House Museum in Holland Park was once the residence and studio of the famed Victorian artist Frederic Lord Leighton, and today, it is home to a vast collection of art, sculpture, and decorative arts. Leighton created an opulent Arab Hall from his Orientalist interests, and filled the rest of his house with artwork by his 19th century contemporaries. Following a recent refurbishment, the Leighton House Museum now features additional exhibition spaces, new staircases, and a beautiful cafe that's perfect for a quick bite or relaxing cup of tea.

Fashion and Textiles Museum

The Fashion and Textiles Museum, located in Bermondsey, London, is a unique institution dedicated to celebrating the history and contemporary creativity of fashion and textiles. Founded in 2003 by iconic British designer Zandra Rhodes, the museum aims to inspire, educate, and inform people about the fascinating world of fashion and textiles. Its mission is to highlight the importance of textiles and fashion in the past and present, showcasing designs from established and emerging designers alike. With its striking pink and orange building design, the Fashion and Textiles Museum is a centrepiece of Bermondsey Road amidst many other artistic things to do in the area of Bermondsey.

Dulwich Picture Gallery

Dulwich Picture Gallery is situated in a leafy suburb of Dulwich, a location that is unassuming for such an impressive collection of European Old Master paintings and beautiful architecture. The gallery was founded in 1811 by Sir Francis Bourgeois as the first public art gallery in England, designed to showcase his personal collection which included works by Rembrandt, Canaletto, and Rubens. The gallery additionally has a programme of excellent temporary exhibitions. In recent years this has included Berthe Morisot, M.K Ciurlionis and Rembrandt.

The Garden Museum

The Garden Museum is a wonderful museum dedicated to the history of gardening. It’s located in Lambeth, not far from Vauxhall station. The location is in a church next to Lambeth Palace, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The museum regularly features art exhibitions along the theme of gardens and nature and has wonderful interactive activities for children. In the spring, florists take over the museum with their wonderful botanical installations. The cafe at the museum is gorgeous and has a serious menu — it’s one of the most aesthetic restaurants in London.

One of the best parts of the museum is the medieval tower. You can climb up to the top (131 steps) to see one of the best views of London, looking out directly onto the Houses of Parliament.

The Painted Hall and the Queen’s House

The Painted Hall and Queen's House in Greenwich are located very near each other at the Old Royal Naval College. Both places are rich in history and well worth a visit while in Greenwich. The Painted Hall dates back to the 18th century and features a stunning ceiling adorned with allegorical paintings that depict England's military and maritime power. The Queen's House, on the other hand, was designed by architect Inigo Jones in the 17th century and is a prime example of classical architecture in England. The house is famous for its delicate tulip staircase.

Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, located in Ealing, London, is a lovely small museum consisting of a gallery space and the house of John Soane.

The renowned architect Sir John Soane (of the Soane’s Museum mentioned above) had another home here in Ealing. This neoclassical house was built in the early 1800s and served as a country retreat. The beautiful interior design is still intact, with incredible ceiling plasterwork being one of the highlights.

The gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions from major artists, often contemporary art which creates an interesting contrast with the Neoclassical style of the estate.

It’s a fun and easy way to experience heritage and arts within reach of central London.

Final thoughts on London’s small museums

London is absolutely packed with museums big and small, and the small ones are often missed by visitors to the city because there is so much to see here. I hope that this list has inspired some more visits to London’s small museums which deserve so much love from the public.

Let me know in the comments — what’s your favourite small museum in London?

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