We are SO lucky that most of the museums and galleries in the UK are free, this isn’t really the case in most other countries.
I probably didn’t time this post very well, after the school holidays. However, I’m pretty sure this is useful information at any time of the year. These are my favourite galleries in London which also happen to be free…
1. TATE
Both Tate Modern and Tate Britain are free, but personally I love Britain – it’s always much quieter due to its location and the free art is so extensive plus a wonderful mix of both classic and modern. I have been so many times, but every time I find something new or see it with fresh eyes – and if you do pay extra for the exhibitions, they are always so worth it – we LOVED the All Too Human exhibition this summer (we are actually Tate Members now to help support the galleries).
2. V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD
Obviously, the V&A museum is amazing but I thought I’d add their lesser known museum in Bethnal Green here. Educational? yes. Fun? That, too. At first we were a bit disappointed as we assumed children could play with toys throughout history but it’s more of an interactive tour of toys from years gone by. But there are so many trails and workshops to keep kids busy, not to mention nostalgia for us adults, too.
And did I mention it was free….?
I honestly couldn’t think of a better way to while away an hour or so behind the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street – add it on your list for the next time you go.
4. THE BRITISH MUSEUM
I hadn’t been to The British Museum for years, it always reminded me of school trips being herded around, but we recently went to the Hokusai exhibition and fell back in love with it. As a Classicist, the ancient Greek artefacts in particular are fascinating and again, there are so many trails and activity packs set up for young kids.
Again, we are so lucky that places like this are free for us to use, and I plan on taking Peggy on a regular basis. Other museums on our ‘to-do’ list are The Horniman, The Museum of London and The Imperial War Museum (my aunt Betty, who used to live in Borough, was one of the voices they used on the phones where you could listen to their war stories!) – are there any others we’ve missed that you can recommend?
I loved this post, thank you for the information. I’m always looking for interesting ideas for the weekend and these tick that box plus your outfit, as always, is effortlessly stylish xxx
Lin, Herts
So glad you found it useful! xx
Like your blog , your choice of favourite. Art galleries chimes with mine . The Horniman is a treasure trove, great mini aquarium and glass atrium . Have loved The Wallace for years ! Great to see Peggy in your pictures.
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It’s on my list for when Peggy is a bit older, for sure! x
Hello,
I so agree with you regarding the Museum. Every time, I go to London (I stayed there in June for a couple of days), I never miss to go and re- watch my favourite paintings (The Preraphaelites ones) This is a wonderful gift to have the Museum for free in England ! I always sit for a cup of tea at the cafeteria, it is so quiet ! Where I am living (I am French), the Museum can be very costly… (Usually once in a month, there is a free entrance).
Cathie
Totally agree! We went to The D’Orsay, I think, when it was free and it was the busiest place I’ve ever been! x
Great Post. We honestly don’t mention our museums enough.I think you picked the right time of year because they are less busy after the July, August months. But also they are somewhere for winter time when outdoors may not be a great option. If I had to pick a favourite it would have to be the British Museum, but I love all of them!!
Love the positive spin – good point about the weather! xx
The Wallace is my favourite , stood mesmerised for ages looking at the miniature boxes. The cafe is also very good!
Yes – it had a makeover, didn’t it? Must go next time – we went to Bone Daddies in St Christopher’s Place for ramen after!
Thank you for this post, Alex. The thought and care that goes into your blogs as well as variety is what really sets your apart. So happy you mentioned the Wallace Collection.
Thank you so much 🙂 xxx
I’m an American but I’ve spent a good amount of time in London, and one that never gets old for me is the National Portrait Gallery. Yes, it’s in tourist central, but is usually much saner than the nearby National Gallery. It’s such a different art museum experience–usually you’re looking to see who the artist is, but with the NPG, you’re looking to see who the sitter is. And there are such gems, from the tiny drawing of Jane Austen by her sister to early 20th century photographs of Virginia Woolf and James Joyce. Highly recommend.
Now I’ll be adding the Wallace Collection to my own list!
Oh yes – the National gallery is weirdly so busy in comparison! I always buy postcards from the NPG – such great black and white retro photographs! x
What a lovely idea to take Peggy to see some art! Hope all of the afore mentioned galleries are baby/child friendly too? You didn’t mention the V & A which I greatly enjoyed the last time I was there although it was during the Frida Kahlo exhibition and was very busy. Everyone was wearing those floral crowns from the gift shop. We had some seriously yummy cake. The cafe is an important part of the gallery trip. Saw the coat in M &S but thought the material was a little thin? Good price though and very classic lines.
I preferred to mention the V&A museum of childhood simply because it’s lesser known, I like the V&A – I was interested in Frida Kahlo but it isn’t the art, is that right – it’s her clothing etc? xx
Hello again Alex,
Yes, you are right; it isn’t her art work but things associated with Frida Kahlo ( her false leg for example !!). I would have preferred to see her pictures to be honest and as it was quite expensive we gave it a miss.
I love London ? I’m going there in November for the fourth time and it is so amazing that a lot of museums and galleries have free entrance 😀
Yes – hardly any other cities do this! xx
Great article as always Alex. I used to go to the Bethnal Green museum of childhood (which is what it was called then before it became part of the V&A) as a kid with my mum and absolutely loved it, I must revisit!! I love the science museum and would imagine it’s a great place for kids (though perhaps Peggy is a little young to fully appreciate it at present!) I absolutely agree about the Tate galleries – and I assume you know about the fantastic cafe on the top of Tate Modern, possibly one of the best views in London I think and open late on Friday/Saturday evenings, a great spot for a glass of wine after seeing some art!
Great recommendations! I’ve never been to London before so, I’m hoping someday I can visit these museums. Thanks for sharing!
The Design Museum is amazing! Their Design of the Year exhibit is well worth visiting every year although more geared for adults or older children.
Aaaaah thank you – weirdly I couldn’t think of very many to visit when preparing this post, but now probably have an entire new post to create! x
There always seems to be something I want to see on at the Fashion and Textile museum – at the moment it is Orla Kiely, I would love to see that. I also agree with Emily that the Design museum is excellent. I still remember the Manolo Blahnik exhibition they did years ago, possibly my favourite exhibition ever.
Amazing post Looking So beautiful 🙂
xoxo
http://www.gemstonesilverjewelry.us
The Welcome Collection is also a lovely place, the library is dreamy and they often have fun exhibitions plus nice cafe/book shop.
Also a hidden *free* gem is the Grant Museum of Zoology, it’s floor to ceiling packed with animal specimens in jars! And just round the corner from the Welcome Collection so can do both in one trip.
There always seems to be something I want to see on at the Fashion and Textile museum – at the moment it is Orla Kiely, I would love to see that. I also agree with Emily that the Design museum is excellent. I still remember the Manolo Blahnik exhibition they did years ago, possibly my favourite exhibition ever.
Oh yes, I got sent the Orla Kiely book in advance when it was announced – how fab, I think I went years ago but must revisit!
Amazing post Looking So beautiful ?
xoxo
The Welcome Collection is also a lovely place, the library is dreamy and they often have fun exhibitions plus nice cafe/book shop.
Also a hidden *free* gem is the Grant Museum of Zoology, it’s floor to ceiling packed with animal specimens in jars! And just round the corner from the Welcome Collection so can do both in one trip.
Oh well this sounds amazing!
I always recommend the Sir John Soanes Museum – also free. Near Holborn, it is absolutely stuffed full of treasures and it’s such an unusual set up. They also do candle lit tours – completely enchanting. If you’ve not been you’d love it, especially as a classicist.
Aaaah yes, a few people have recommended! I think I got it confused with the Sir Joan Soane designed museum in Dulwich, which isn’t free, so I didn’t visit! But rectify, sounds amazing xx
Love this post, Alex! Like you I feel so passionately about our brilliant museums and go whenever I can (and have such fond memories of going to them with my mum growing up, so Peggy is lucky to have you taking her). The V&A, Wallace Collection, and Tate Britain are my favourites, but I also *really* love the Sir John Soane’s (sadly you can’t take pictures but it’s so eccentric and wonderful), the Portrait Gallery, and in Cambridge, the Fitzwilliam.
Briony xx
MUST go to Sir John Soane’s! x
The Fitzwilliam in Cambridge is also great! It’s an easy 15min or so walk from the train station. (Their cafe also has a great coronation chicken sandwich!)
I love the Saatchi gallery. It’s free too! The art varies wildy but there’s always something to engage and the building itself has a great vibe. Highly recommend.
Love your selections too!
Can I suggest Kenwood House – great walks nearby too & Sir John Soane Museum. I love how London has so many wonderful places to see for free