Late night openings at London museums and galleries
Forget an evening of TV – try one of these museum lates for a more cultural night out
Too busy to visit museums at the weekend? Swot up on culture after work instead, as most of the capital's museums have late-night opening hours at least once a week. Here's our guide to the London museums that stay open late – click through to discover which nights of the week to visit.
Museums and galleries open late on Tuesday
British Library
- Free
The British Library's exhibition spaces are open late weekly on Tuesdays, from 9.30am-8pm. On show are temporary displays as well as permanent exhibits in the John Ritblat Gallery, which houses some of the most famous written and printed items in the world: the Lindisfarne Gospels, Shakespeare's first Folio, Handel's Messiah, the Gutenberg Bible, drafts of the Magna Carta and The Beatles' lyrics.
- 96 Euston Rd, NW1 2DB
- Weekly on Tue until 8pm
Sir John Soane's Museum
- Free
Designed by architect Sir John Soane to house his own collection of paintings and architectural salvage, the museum is a tranquil place full of unexpected treasures. On the first Tuesday of each month, the museum stays opens late (6-9pm, last entry 8pm), and the atmospheric rooms are lit by candles. Visitor numbers are generally high on these evenings and there is frequently a queue, so early arrival is advised.
- 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP
- First Tue of each month 6-9pm
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