Thirteen Must-See Art Spots in London
Exploring Art in London — My Top Museums, Galleries, and Collections
There are so many things to love about London: the architecture, the history, the English accent (!), the shopping, the theater, the music, the parks, the palace, and the culture. I’m not sure I could pick a favorite, but will say that art is always on my list no matter how short my visit is. Today’s story features my personal art-centric picks!
I’m returning to London in a few weeks. I have always avoided true winter in London (for obvious weather-related reasons), but my favorite musical act is performing so I don’t have any control over the dates. For kicks I thought I’d take a look at what art would be on display during this random winter trip of mine.
Let me provide you a sampling and I think you’ll see why I am constantly singing London’s praises. Just a random week in the middle of winter and ALL of this is on exhibit in addition to the usual options!
On exhibit in February at Victoria and Albert, Winnie the Pooh: Exploring a Classic; Opera: Passion, Power, and Politics (exploring 400 years of opera); Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion; and Ocean Liners: Speed and Style. Meanwhile, Tate Modern has Modigliani on exhibit, while The National Gallery is highlighting Pre-Raphaelite artists and Degas.
The most exciting coup of the London art scene in early 2018 is the Charles I AND Charles II exhibits coinciding from late January through April. Charles I: King and Collector reunites some of the greatest pieces of Charles I collection for the first time since the 17th century! But this is London, so it gets even better: they are offering a joint ticket to see the Charles I exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts in the morning followed by the Charles II: Art and Power exhibit just a 15 minute walk away at the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace in the afternoon. This £29 (approximately $40) ticket also includes a snack and tea between viewings!
The Charles I exhibit runs from January 27-April 15, 2018 while the Charles II exhibit runs from December 8, 2017-May 13, 2018. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
My Personal Favorite London Art Museums/Prized Collections:
~Victoria and Albert Museum: It was instant love when I visited this iconic museum during my semester in London, Fall of 1992. I have never been to London and NOT visited it. It is on my absolute “must” list, whether I only have an hour or several hours to explore, and is always the first place I check whenever I have a pending trip. My favorite gift shop in all of London!
~Royal Academy of Arts: My second favorite art museum. The curation is TOP-NOTCH.
~Kensington Palace: I go here frequently whether it’s for a unique fashion display of the Queen’s or simply the overall vibe of the estate and gardens. In fact, I saw Diana’s wedding gown there in 1992. There was no line and about 2 other people in the room with me. Can you imagine the hysteria if that dress was exhibited there now?!? Another great gift shop — I don’t think I’ve ever left without at least one small purchase.
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It turns out that there is an exhibit of Diana’s fashion currently at Kensington Gardens. There’s never enough time to see and do everything in London! How exciting!
~Apsley House: A new obsession of mine. Home to the ancestors of the Duke of Wellington. It is the most amazing bachelor pad EVER! An incredible collection of treasures from around-the-world. The dining hall overlooking Hyde Park is NOT to be missed! Note: VERY quirky hours, so always double-check before heading over.
~The National Gallery: Iconic museum overlooking Trafalgar Square. Masterpieces abound as well as slightly unusual collections. I had the chance to see Australian Impressionists works last year — to be honest, I wasn’t even aware that the Australians had intersected with that movement. I really enjoyed what will surely be my only opportunity to see a collection like that.
~Guildhall Art Gallery: An accidental find last year, totally empty and an AMAZING collection. Off-the-grid central London museum.
~British Museum: It’s not my favorite, but if you are into the Classics/antiquities it should not be missed. I have a soft spot for the backside of the building — I used to pass by it everyday walking from my flat to classes. If you have a few extra minutes, walk along the exterior of the entire building. Bloomsbury is a charming neighborhood!
~Tate: The modern pieces at Tate Museum were so off-putting to me that I haven’t stepped foot in it again since last century. I have decided to put aside my distaste for some of the garbage that the Tate Modern tried to pass off as “art” in the 90s and can certainly recommend it for the worthy collections it offers. However, I will not waste one more second of my life looking at any of their most avant garde exhibits. I’m sticking with pre-1990 art!
~St. Paul’s Crypt: Not technically an art museum, but it’s a lovely intersection of history, architecture, and art. Its gift shop has great options, featuring some more masculine picks for friends and family.
~The National Portrait Gallery: Not my favorite museum in general, but some really cool exhibits pop up from time-to-time. There was a Vogue exhibit in 2016 that was FANTASTIC. Additionally, currently there is a Cezanne portraits exhibit (so sad to just miss it). A Michael Jackson exhibit is coming this summer! If you are into portraiture, this should be on your must list. I pop into its wonderful gift shop for souvenirs and gifts even if I don’t check out the actual museum.
~The Royal Mews: Also not technically an art museum, but the royal carriages offer horses, history, and artistry. Great for kids, too! And the Queen’s giftshop just down the way is worthwhile to pop into.
~The Courtauld Gallery: On my “next to see” list. Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in this Covent Garden museum.
~Barbican: I’ve only attended theater and musical performances there, but wanted to add it since it has a really interesting mix of art as well.
By no means is this an all-inclusive list of London’s art offerings. Additionally, I have focused on traditional, classic art. As I have made clear, I am not a source for modern art, but London has TONS if you are into that scene.
TimeOut London remains a great source for various offerings throughout the city! And remember: London museum and site hours can be VERY challenging. Always double-check opening and closing times plus closures!
Please let me know what you think of these wonderful museums, galleries, and sites! I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do! Happy traveling and art-gazing, friends!
