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Top 10 museums to visit in the UK

From Liverpool to York, the UK is home to hundreds of fascinating museums to visit. MET Coaches lists the top ten museums you should visit.

The UK’s museums are home to some of the world’s most treasured artefacts and an extensive range of exhibitions that would appeal to all types of interests. Whether you’re intrigued by natural history or prefer to be immersed in contemporary art, the experiences that await you are endless.

In this post, and in no particular order, we list our top ten museums in the UK that we believe you should visit.

Natural History Museum, London

If you want to discover the wonders of our solar system, head to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, which is currently hosting an interactive installation by artist Luke Jerram until January 2020. As well as this, there’s an exciting programme packed with events, performances and activities for all ages. You can get involved in the yoga sessions held under the six-metre spherical sculpture of the Moon, or you can learn about the Museum scientists’ latest research by attending a series of talks. While you’re there, consider checking out the world-famous dinosaur collection or learn about human evolution.

The Natural History Museum is the most visited natural history museum in Europe and the top science attraction in the UK. We’ll provide you with reliable minibus or coach transport to London so you can see what all the fuss is about for yourselves.

The British Museum, London

Just a 30-minute drive from the National History Museum is the British Museum, the first national public museum in the world. Established over 265 years ago, it now holds a collection comprising of over 8 million objects derived from an array of cultures throughout human history. If you’re planning a family trip with young children in tow, the Open Futures family trails is an activity to consider. Get the kids to put their explorer hats on to take part in a tour which will take everyone on a journey of discovery around the museum. The trails are on daily, and there are eight themes to choose from, so there’s no reason for you not to visit again.

Those travelling from outside should rely on our minibus hire and coach hire service. Our DBS-checked drivers are amiable and the seats in our vehicles are comfortable enough for long journeys.

The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth

The Mary Rose was Henry VIII’s warship, lost in 1545, recovered over 400 years later and now on display for you to visit in Portsmouth! Offering a valuable interactive insight into Tudor life, there’s an assortment of exhibitions to explore, suitable for all ages. Marvel at the artefacts found aboard the ship, find out what sank the Mary Rose and learn about the explorations of the ship’s crew.

Imperial War Museum, London

There are around 800,000 items that tell the story of modern war and conflict since 1917 and the effects it had on people’s lives at the Imperial War Museum in Southwark, London. As the museum holds one of the world’s largest collections of modern military warfare, it’s perfect for those intrigued about the tanks, planes and other machinery used by Britain in past wars. You’ll get to see the famous Battle of Britain fighter, the ‘Spitfire’ as well as a gallery of uniforms and weapons from the First World War. The museum also holds approximately 11 million photographs from the First World War to present day conflicts. There’s a significant amount of important history to be seen here.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield

A beautiful 500-acre, 18th-century estate in West Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is the largest of its kind in Europe. As a registered museum, there are over 80 works on open-air display around the park including works by Damien Hirst and Ai Weiwei. At the YSP learning centre, there’s a family-friendly creative space with fun activities often inspired by current exhibitions at the park.

This spot has everything you need for a jam-packed, fun day for everyone. There’s even a restaurant on the upper level of YSP Centre offering stunning views of Yorkshire and a delicious range of regionally-sourced food and drink on the menu.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

If contemporary, bold art and design are more your taste, the V&A is a must-visit. Famous for its fashion exhibitions, there’s a vast range of paintings, furniture, jewellery and photography all under one roof. The V&A has housed exhibitions from top designers including Alexander McQueen and Dior, so you know you’re going to witness something special when you walk through the doors. The current must-see exhibition (ends 16 Feb 2020) is by Mary Quant, a leading figure in the 1960s Mod fashion movement in London.

National Space Centre, Leicester

The National Space Centre in Leicester is the UK’s largest planetarium with six interactive galleries and a 42m Rocket Tower. For an otherworldly experience, the ‘Tour of the Night Sky’ will take you beyond galaxies and show you the wonders of the night. You will also learn about the constellations and the stories that different cultures across the globe have about them. You can even walk around a full-scale replica of the Columbus Module, a space science laboratory that is Europe’s largest contribution to the International Space Station.

Tate Britain, London

Tate Britain is the oldest gallery in the Tate network, housing an extensive collection of British art from 1500 to the present day. It is also home to the world’s biggest collection of Turner’s work, a British Romantic painter described by John Ruskin as the ‘father of modern art’. In total, the Tate holds 78,000 artworks from 4,000 artists.

National Railway Museum, York

Home to an iconic collection of locomotives and engineering treasures, the National Railway Museum celebrates the innovation of the railway system. Visitors can anticipate the opportunity to ride a real steam train, marvel at awe-inspiring engines and explore how railway life developed throughout history. If you’ve ever wondered how royalty travelled in the past, check out the oldest preserved carriage in Europe – the carriage of Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, Queen consort of Hanover. There’s even an informative and fascinating talk held every day where you’ll learn about the designs of the carriages in detail.

Contact us via our Quick Quote Form for modern coach and minibus transport to learn the history of Britain’s transportation methods.

The International Slavery Museum, Liverpool

The International Slavery Museum is located in the centre of a World Heritage site, Liverpool’s Albert Dockyard and only a few yards away from where 18th-century slave trading ships were repaired. The International Slavery Museum is the only one of its kind to exhibit and explore the history of the transatlantic slave trade as well as other forms of enslavement. Through the collections of art, artefacts and archives, you will be able to explore in-detail the happenings of the slave trade. The museum also hosts interactive family-friendly events as a way for children to about the history of slavery and various African cultures and traditions.

Explore the UK’s many museums with MET Coaches

There’s a lot to see, learn and experience at the museums across the UK and our drivers are more than happy to take you to any of them. We have a variety of minibuses and coaches, seating 16-70 people, so group size is never a concern for us.

To find out more about how MET Coaches can take you around the UK, give us a call on 01923 247765 or complete our Quick Quote Form. For more information on our services, head to our Minibus Hire page or Coach Hire page.

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