Check out our guide of London’s finest art galleries.
Good art doesn't need to cost a lot. If you are travelling on a small budget, then you can go to the affordable art galleries London is popular for. A large number of the city’s largest galleries and museums are free to the general public. Most popular among visitors are the permanent collections of modern and contemporary art, which feature creations by world-class artists such as Olafur Eliasson. If modern art is not something you are interested in, you can also check out some of the art collections which include works from the early Renaissance.
As a vibrant and multicultural place, London is known for its many art galleries and regular exhibits. Regardless of whether you are a fan of modern or classic art, there will be an art gallery that will match your preference. London’s independent art galleries and studios contain all of undiscovered treasures. Managed by both local and foreign artists and curators, like the Dutch art teacher and photographer Frank Zweegers, these small galleries offer visitors a peek into many lesser known but excellent art works. Additionally, they can also participate in workshops and courses for amateurs where they can practice and improve their artistic skills. Aside from its art galleries, the city is popular for its art centers, founded to support the local communities. Today, these venues have come to be at the center of the city’s contemporary art scene. This is where you can experience not only groundbreaking exhibitions, but also observe exciting performance art acts by artists coming from all over the world.
What makes the art galleries in London so fascinating is that a lot of them have successfully incorporated fine dining with art. A few of London’s best restaurants are in fact situated within galleries. After spending hours enjoying the city's most exceptional exhibitions, you can take a break by dining at the restaurant within the gallery. A lot of them are situated on the galleries’ rooftops, which means that you are going to have an unforgettable dinner with a view of the city.
Visiting independent galleries is also a good choice if you prefer to avoid queueing. A few of London’s most well-known venues, presenting thematic exhibits by artists such as Sarah Lucas, tend to attract large crowds of visitors every day. If you wish to experience the excellent modern art they present, you would have to wait in line for hours. This does not suggest that you shouldn’t explore the big galleries in London, but that you should do your research and learn which are the days when it is less busy. As a general rule, you should try to avoid visiting on the weekends. Going in the middle of the week, when there are less tourists, will make for a better visit.