Art Museums/Galleries in London

Discover London's top ten art museums and galleries with help from our guide. Besides viewing internationally acclaimed works of art, the majority of London's art museums and galleries are free. The Tates, Tate Modern and Tate Britain may sound similar but are actually quite different. Housed in the refurbished power station, the Tate Modern on the South Bank hosts international contemporary art from 1900 to the present. Large scale exhibits regularly change in the museum's massive Turbine Hall and always worth a look even if time is tight. British art from 1500 to the present is displayed at the Tate Britain located on the opposite side of the Thames. To visit both, the museums offer a Tate to Tate boat service. In Trafalgar Square are two of the country's national museums. The National Gallery houses a collection of 13th to 19th century Western European paintings including Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Samson and Delilah by Rubens. If the prospect of tackling the massive museum is too daunting, a 60 minute highlight tour is offered. 160,000 portraits of famous Brits from the 16th century to the present are displayed at the National Portrait Gallery just around the corner. Known for the performing arts the Barbican Centre also presents major art exhibitions including photography, design, fashion and architecture. Whitechapel Gallery, London's first East End contemporary gallery has been exhibiting international artists for over a century.

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