London is packed full of fantastic museums to visit, with many of them catering to audiences of all ages and costing nothing to enter. Indeed, there are so many amazing establishments to explore that it can be tricky to choose exactly where to go. So, you can discover the top five London museums below.

Whether you're planning a family break, a quiet getaway with your partner or a day out with friends, London's museums are a great way of soaking up some history, culture, art, science – and just about anything else you can think of!

Choosing your accommodation from the plethora of 4 star London hotels available is a great way of adding a little extra luxury to your trip – and you may find that many of your options allow you to stay close to some of the capital's top museums.

Westminster hotels are one option; if you select one of these, you'll be close to firm favourites such as the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum.

Similarly, Knightsbridge hotels are another great choice for travellers keen to spend a relaxing few days taking in the sights of the capital.

And once you have booked your accommodation, you can start planning which museums you'd most like to visit.

The British Library is an excellent choice – especially for literature lovers. As well as being home to the UK's national library, it plays host to a wonderful array of fascinating exhibitions, including galleries dedicated to bookbinding, calligraphy and stamps.

Meanwhile, you'll also have the chance to see some of the most famous and important written and printed documents on the planet, such as Shakespeare's First Folio and the Magna Carta.

The Science Museum, situated in South Kensington, is another extremely popular attraction and is great for adults and children alike. Indeed, there are plenty of exhibitions and workshops dedicated specifically to youngsters, which could be perfect if you're travelling with the kids.

Here you'll have the chance to see displays on the making of the modern world, the history of aviation and much more.

Situated nearby is the Natural History Museum – another favourite among visitors of all ages. The huge range of exhibits here spans everything from dinosaurs to human biology and cutting-edge natural science.

As you explore, you'll have the opportunity to see dinosaur skeletons, gemstones and the new Darwin Centre – an eight-floor building where you can see the latest natural science research in action.

The first national public museum in the world, the British Museum is something of a must when exploring the capital. Its galleries hold a vast range of artefacts and artworks from all over the planet. Its newest additions include Clocks and Watches and Chinese Ceramics, among others.

Free talks and tours are also staged here, so you may want to check the website before you travel to see if you can time your visit with anything that particularly piques your interest.

If you're keen to peruse one of London's smaller, quirkier museums, you might want to head to the Cartoon Museum. Situated in Holborn, this is first gallery of its kind in London and is dedicated to British comics and animation. In addition to regular exhibitions and events, there is also a fascinating reference library.

This is just a small taste of the plethora of museums the capital is home to – so no matter what your interests are, you should be able to find something that captures your imagination.