Top 5 London memberships

From Westminster Abbey to the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London Calling highlights 5 best London memberships.

By Ryan Ormonde | Updated Apr 13 2022

A black and white photo of the Museum of London building. The image prominently displays the museum's name on an overhang structure. Modern buildings with geometric designs are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A membership to London cinemas, museums & galleries or any London cultural venue is not just about saving money. Having a family membership or an annual membership to a favourite London museum, gallery, zoo or landmark is a great incentive to enjoy London's buildings, parks and arts more frequently.

From the popular V&A membership and the national art pass through to memberships for the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate, London Zoo and even London cinemas, Londoners truly have some of the best memberships on their doorstep.

Here’s our top 5 best cultural London memberships:

Barbican

A spacious greenhouse with tall palm trees, lush green plants, and large ferns growing on a multi-level concrete structure. The building is enclosed by a glass roof, allowing natural light to flood the vibrant, plant-filled environment. — Image © Facebook via @BarbicanCentre

The Barbican membership at £59 promises 12 months of unforgettable art, music, film and theatre. A top London membership that gives you priority booking to live shows, waived booking fees, discounts and unlimited free gallery entry to all ticketed exhibitions for one year. Members save 20% on selected tickets including one guest, have use of the members’ lounge and special offers in the Barbican’s bars, restaurants and shops. The Barbican membership is popular with those with an artistic vision or a passion in music, theatre & dance, cinema or the visual arts.

The Barbican: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

For more details and to buy membership, see website.

National Portrait Gallery

A brightly lit, modern art gallery with white walls, wooden floors, and framed artworks. Several people are engaging with the art; some are closely observing, while others are standing or walking around. The gallery has a clean, minimalistic design. — Image © Facebook via @nationalportraitgallery

Membership for the National Portrait Gallery in central London, (famous for its large, public collection of Tudor and Jacobean painting), can be bought for just £55. For this you get access to selected exhibitions and private views at partner organisations, special discounts at partner restaurants and shops and Invitations to events, including curator talks and archive tours and 20% off their online shop. The National Portrait Gallery also issues a members’ magazine three times a year and a monthly newsletter.

Membership for the National Portrait Gallery currently stands beyond one year due to closure for current redevelopment work.

National Portrait Gallery : St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE

For more details and to buy membership, see website.

Museum of London

A multi-story building with a sign reading Museum of London prominently displayed at the top. The structure has large windows and balconies, with lush greenery and a staircase in the foreground. Tall, modern buildings are visible in the background. — Image © Facebook via @museumoflondon

Take your pick of memberships at the Museum of London, from Individual memberships which start at £40 through to reduced priced memberships for students and oap’s and family memberships. For £65 a year a family of 6 can enjoy free and unlimited fast track ticket entry to all museum of London exhibitions plus exclusive members’ benefits such as discounts and priority booking for museum events. Enjoy 25% discount in the cafés and bars as you take a break from discovering the greatest stories from the greatest city.

Museum of London : 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN

Museum of London Docklands : No1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL

For more details and to buy membership, see website.

ICA

Two women in an art gallery: one wearing headphones and watching a black-and-white video on a TV, the other standing and looking at a display table. Walls feature handwritten notes and drawings, creating an immersive, thoughtful environment. — Image © Facebook via @icalondon

Based in the heart of London, in-between Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus you’ll find the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Become a member of the ICA and you’ll get free exhibition admission, ticket discounts for all film screenings, talks and events and 10% off the ICA bookstore plus many more great benefits. Red ICA membership costs just £20 a month and green ICA membership just £10 a month. Blue ICA membership is £20 a year and discounted for pensioners, students, disabled and job seekers and for anyone under 26. Icalondon shows the most interesting films from around the world alongside listening sessions and workshops, ICA art exhibitions feature work from international artists and evenings of poetry never fail to disappoint.

ICA : The Mall, St. James's, London SW1Y 5AH

For more details and to buy membership, see website.

Westminster Abbey

Aerial view of Westminster Abbey, a historic Gothic church in London, with its tall towers and intricate architecture. The surrounding area includes a mix of green trees, historic buildings, and the cityscape of London under a partly cloudy sky. — Image © Facebook via @WestminsterAbbeyLondon

Unlimited free entry to Westminster Abbey and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries are just two of the great benefits to Westminster members. Westminster Abbey tickets start at £24 per adult. For £40 you can have free and unlimited access throughout the year, £30 if you pay by direct debit. Inside Westminster Abbey, one of the most stunning and historic buildings in the world, there is much to see. A London Abbey membership gives you fast track admission, 10% discount in the Westminster cafe and even an annual letter from the Dean of Westminster.

Westminster Abbey : 20 Dean’s Yard, London, SW1P 3PA

For more details and to buy membership, see website.