London’s abundance of art museums is mind boggling, in the best way.
With so many galleries, exhibits and collections to explore it’s difficult to narrow down which to see and where to start, because, let’s face it, time is precious and generally limited.
Keeping in mind, fine art like paintings, sculpture, drawings, photographs and such are on display everywhere in London. You’ll even see magnificent works in hotels and restaurants, if you’re paying attention. For this article, I’ll be sharing my favorites.
A Printed List of London Museums
Texans Touring LONDON is a travel guide, planner and bullet journal designed by a Texan, for Texans, and is the inspo for this blog series.
Exploring museums is only a fine pencil mark covered in this handy purse-sized tome.
Other practical topics covered are getting around to museums, finding accommodations near museums and British lingo that might bright meaning into focus while touring museums. And it’s available now when you click here!
London Museums: Prepare to be Amazed Series
Broken down by general specialty, such as London Fine Art Museums, the Prepare to be Amazed series includes more than 20 London museums grouped with like collections that are super for Texans who are touring the town.
Many of the UK’s national museums charge no admission fee.
For each location mentioned in this post, you’ll find a link to the museum, street address, a description of the museum, days of the week they’re open, amenities such a gift shop or café and entry fees.
Wondering the criteria for making this list? Awesomeness and immersiveness of the experience. As well as location, collections, amenities and surroundings.
Use the provided links to get more details like hours and directions.
A smattering of London Art Museums
FINE ART
The Museum of Brands
[ museumofbrands.com ]
111-117 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London W11 1QT
Viewing 200 years of social change, culture and lifestyle through a lens of consumer packaging and commercial design. This museum is highly rated reader-rated lists.
A quirky, on-site gift shop has books, postcards and the like, as well as retro sweets and pop history.
Open daily.
Tickets: £9.00 per adult, £5.00 for children, £24.00 for a family.
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The National Gallery
[ nationalgallery.org.uk ]
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
The UK’s National Gallery houses a marvelous collection of art from around the world! And the “house” itself is extraordinary (as you can see in the photo above)!
Try to choose a favorite among their Impressionists collection. Mine is Vincent van Gogh painting, Two Crabs (1889). Or maybe it’s the Georges Seurat grouping of studies and finished paintings. No, it has to be Pierre-Auguste Renoir‘s The Umbrellas (1881-1886).
You know what? We don’t have to decide right now. And it’s fine if you prefer Italian masters or religious icons. 700 years of art are represented.
With so much to see, the museum curated three routes to guide your visit. I’ve provided an off-kilter map, you’re welcome.
*psst* if anyone can find this on their website, please let me know and I’ll link it.
In conclusion, the National Gallery is well worth 30 minutes to hours of your time, even if you do not think of yourself as someone likes art. This a world class museum of art and it’s conveniently located in the city, on Trafalgar Square.
There’s a cafe and a fab gift shop with items featuring some of their more famous works.
Open daily.
Free admission.
The Tate Britain
[ tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britian ]
Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
The Tate Britain is filled with art created by British artists.
Best known for it JMW Turner collection, the museum offers a lovely, chronological walk through the paintings (the collection is mostly paintings, but there are sculptures and other 2D pieces as well).
There is a lovely space – with skylights, large uncomfortable benches and historical paintings hung from floor to ceiling – that encourages patrons to sit and sketch. Easels, paper and pencils provided.
A cafe is on-site and a high-end gift shop with collectables inspired by the museum’s art.
Open daily.
Free admission.
The Tate Modern
[ tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern ]
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Another of England’s four Tate museums, the Tate Modern is dedicated to displaying contemporary and modern art from around the world.
Check the website for hours for the museum’s cafe and a restaurant, with menus inspired by the Tate Modern‘s collection, and the gift shop.
Open daily.
Free admission.
The Wallace Collection
[ wallacecollection.org ]
Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
The Wallace Collection is “one of the sexiest collections in Europe,” says news outlet The Guardian.
Masterpieces in the form of paintings, decorative arts and even suits of armor are housed in the former home of a Marquesses. This collection is huge, so be sure to devote plenty of time to see what all you stopped in to see.
Check the website for their current exhibitions. Right now their focus is on Dogs in Art, including a photo exhibit of the Queen and her Corgis. Love that.
French-style brasserie (reservation recommended) and a drop in café, as well as a shop.
Open daily.
Free admission.
DECORATIVE ARTS
The Victoria and Albert Museum
[ vam.ac.uk/south-kensington ]
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW
The V&A, or Victoria and Albert Museum, is unique in its celebration of every day decorative art.
As repository for the world’s largest display of applied arts, decorative arts and design, such as dinnerware and whatnot, the collections holds 2.27 million objects. Unlike the London art museums listed above, the V&A celebrates the little things that brighten up homes, places of work and our surroundings.
A cafe and gift shop are on-site.
Open daily.
Free admission.
Have a blast perusing collections, eating at themed restaurants, shopping in lovely gift shops and expanding what you know.
If you have a favorite London art museum I forgot to mention, please share it in the comments.
Cheerio, y’all!
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