Spend 6 Hours in London’s Galleries 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Here’s a 6-hour itinerary to explore three of London’s premier museums: the Design Museum, the British Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery. This plan is optimized for a Friday, taking advantage of extended evening hours.

🕙 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Design Museum (Kensington)
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Fridays)
• Highlights: Explore the “Designer Maker User” permanent collection and current exhibitions like The World of Tim Burton, which is open until 8:00 PM on select Fridays and Saturdays in May.
• Location: 224–238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG

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🕦 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Travel to British Museum
• Transport: Take the Circle Line from High Street Kensington to Holborn Station (approx. 30 minutes).
• Walk: From Holborn Station, it’s a 5-minute walk to the museum.

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🕧 12:15 PM – 2:15 PM: British Museum (Bloomsbury)
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Fridays until 8:30 PM)
• Highlights: Discover the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and the Elgin Marbles. Allocate time for special exhibitions, which may require separate tickets.
• Location: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

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🕝 2:15 PM – 2:30 PM: Travel to National Portrait Gallery
• Walk: Approximately 15-minute walk from the British Museum to the National Portrait Gallery.

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🕞 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: National Portrait Gallery (St Martin’s Place)
• Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Fridays until 9:00 PM)
• Highlights: View portraits of notable British figures, from historical icons to contemporary personalities.
• Location: St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE

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🕓 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM: Break
• Suggestion: Enjoy a quick coffee or snack at the gallery’s café or nearby establishments in Covent Garden.

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🕟 4:15 PM – 6:00 PM: Return to Design Museum or Explore Surroundings
• Option 1: Return to the Design Museum to explore exhibitions open until 8:00 PM on select Fridays.
• Option 2: Stroll through Kensington Gardens or visit nearby attractions like the Natural History Museum.

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Note: All three museums offer free entry to their permanent collections. However, special exhibitions may require tickets. It’s advisable to check each museum’s website for the latest information on exhibitions and to book tickets in advance if necessary.

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