Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Admission Charges:
Several major London museums are free, but they ask for a
donation (which is completely optional). I see it as a good way to get rid of loose change
while helping the arts. Admission at a half-dozen or so museums (identified in their sight
listings in this topic) includes a “voluntary donation” of about 10 percent, which is auto-
matically tacked on. At these sights, the price you see posted includes the donation—and
it is perfectly OK to ask to pay the price without the donation. At ticket desks, you'll see
references to “Gift Aid”—a tax-deduction scheme that benefits museums—but this only
concerns British taxpayers.
Photography:
If the museum's photo policy isn't clearly posted, ask a guard. Gener-
ally, taking photos without a flash or tripod is allowed. Some sights ban photos altogether.
Special Exhibits:
Museums may show special exhibits in addition to their permanent
collection. An extra fee, which may not be optional, might be assessed for these shows.
Expect Changes:
Artwork can be on tour, on loan, out sick, or shifted at the whim of
the curator. To adapt, pick up a floor plan as you enter, and ask museum staff if you can't
find a particular item.
Audioguides, Tours, and Videos:
Many sights rent audioguides, which generally of-
fer excellent recorded descriptions (about
£
4). If you bring your own earbuds, you can
enjoy better sound and avoid holding the device to your ear. To save money, bring a Y-
jack and share one audioguide with your travel partner. Increasingly, museums are offer-
ing apps (often free) that you can download to your mobile device. And I've produced
Guided tours are most likely to occur during peak season (usually
£
3-8 and widely
ranging in quality). Some sights also run short introductory videos featuring their high-
lights and history. These are generally well worth your time and a great place to start your
visit.
Services:
Important sights and cathedrals may have an on-site café or cafeteria. These
are an efficient way to rejuvenate during a long visit—try a cheap “cream tea” to pick
up your energy in midafternoon, like Brits do. The WCs at sights are free and generally
nearly always clean.
Before Leaving:
At the gift shop, scan the postcard rack or thumb through a guide-
book to be sure that you haven't overlooked something that you'd like to see.
Every sight or museum offers more than what is covered in this topic. Use the inform-
ation in this topic as an introduction—not the final word.
The following sightseeing passes are sold online and at the City of London Information
