> the museum's deserved popularity - especially with tourists - can often limit enjoyment of the environment

I'm always on vacation when in London so I try to go early morning on a weekday.

> I'd suggest considering membership. It's £69 a year, and grants free access to otherwise paid exhibitions/events.

I get the membership every time, even though I only go every couple of years. Sometimes it gets me into something but it's good to support the place.