Marvelous place, the Tate Modern, though unfortunately my children did not see the appeal. I had fond memories of our first visit, back in 2010, and wanted to peek into the Tate during a family outing along South Bank last month. I love London's free museums, which make this sort of perfunctory drop-in both easy and practical. Our kids didn't like the Musée d'Orsay, so we didn't have high hopes for the Tate, especially after a long walk from the London Eye. We'd barely gotten them up the escalators and into one of the exhibit halls when they started saying they wanted to leave. We admired what we could of the heavy-hitting collection. We also talked to our children about some of the art, and maybe a trickle of it got through. There was a still life I loved, that turned out to be a Picasso, and a Mondrian painting I'm pretty sure I learned about in first or second grade. Our six-year-old volunteered that he liked a still life of a beer mug by Fernand Léger, and both kids were drawn, just a little, to Warhol's Marilyn Diptych. I hope the boys remember this quick visit, but if not, I certainly will. Maybe I'll bring them back when they're older, and we can give the Tate the time it deserves. read more

There is actually many more free exhibits then what appears when you first enter the museum. They really push the special exhibits which are costly unless you are a member. Once you study the layout you discover all of the galleries that are free which are quite a few. If you like contemporary art this is the place to go since they have a good collection. There is some really weird stuff. Of course the building itself and its rebirth from a power station is worth a visit alone. Fascinating. read more

I've had a mercurial relationship with modern art over the years, but this cartoonishly large museum always manages to attract me when I'm in London. They converted a big old power station into the Tate Modern in 2000, around the same time they constructed the adjascent Millenium Bridge, and really succeeded in making Bankside a fun, trendy part of modern London. This is a mostly-free museum, with some ticketed exhibits you have to pay for. I never do the paid ones, and I always get a few hours of fun strolling through the free galleries. I think they generally only show art from the 20th or 21st centuries, much of which is from well-known figures such as Dali and Rothko, but quite a lot is from newer artists. Plenty of it can come across as pretentious, but you're very likely to find art that is playful or genuinely thought-provoking. There are five (or so) floors of galleries, but sometimes you have to skip a floor if you don't have a ticket. This last time I went that was VERY annoying because there was only one working elevator. This being in a huge old power station, there is an enormous hall at the center that is often taken advantage of with oversized works or activity areas. Whenever I arrive I take a peek in there to see how they're using that space. It's different every time I come to London, and I do like how my curiosity is rewarded each time I commit a few hours to the Tate Modern. read more

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It is a free museum with paid sections. The free museum section is really not worth the visit. The display item is not really an important items. The visit takes 30 minutes. Two floor of display. The location is about 12 to 15 minutes from train station. With all added up. The visit is not the best choice. read more

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A great museum! We saw so much and barely scratched the surface! Huge...enormous. I am sure I could spend a week in London only visiting the Tate and still not see everything. I am a lover of modern art, and the Tate did not disappoint. Great special exhibits, engaging and spectacular large scale pieces in the atria and transition spaces, really bright and fantastic stuff. This was high on my list of want-to-visit spots on my last London visit. And though I don't like to repeat experiences if there is more to do...I may pay it another visit on my coming trip back to the city later this year! Highly recommend. And if you know someone who is a member, a snack and a drink in the lounge/restaurant is a great sit-break. read more

Partially free, certainly worthwhile. Spent about two hours speed running through the highlights at the Tate. I really loved seeing The Fountain (Marcel Duchamp, replica). We talked about the ready-made era SO much in my art history classes. Cool to see. The pop art section featuring the Guerilla Girls was also super interesting, with lots of content topical to me as an American. It was quite crowded the day I was here. Something to keep in mind. A quiet museum can be really magical. There were a couple of specific sections that were new shows that required a ticket. There is plenty to see to spend a few hours here that's free, though. read more

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Art, adaptive reuse and concrete forms. The Herzog & de Meuron adaptive reuse of the Bankside Power Station building had been on my architectural bucket list for quite some time. The building itself is an unapologetic mashup of industrial steel and brutalist concrete forms. The art plays really well against this backdrop. We saw a number of great pieces with the free admission. I thinks it's worth your while and I don't understand the poor reviews. read more

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I confess, I don't really have a refined appreciation for modern art. But I did want to visit the highly rated Tate Modern and see the Picasso exhibit. The Museum is huge with an industrial feel. Security quickly inspected my bag and there was no admission fee. The museum does request donations and maps of the exhibits are available for £2. The entry way is massive. We found a large gift shop near the entrance. We wondered through several exhibits of sculptures and fabric art. We did a lot of walking before we saw art. The volunteer staff is friendly and normally runs tours, but they were short staffed during our visit so there were no tours. We finally made our way to the Picasso exhibit and there was an entrance fee but we didn't know or purchase tickets in advance. Dang, what was I thinking? There is a cafe at the top of the building where you can sip wine and enjoy views of the city (if you are lucky to get seat). We left a bit disappointed but happy to at least experience the museum. read more

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The first museum we visited on our trip to the UK. The modern art stretched our minds and made us think, but I admit some of it was beyond my understanding. The African and Persian artists were some of my favorites. There were a couple of galleries (which talked about and showed horrific death from human trafficking) that we stopped our younger child from entering. Would be happy to return. read more

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Absolutely free ! If you have time, check it out. Small security check upon entrance. Floors were well marked with free areas and paid exhibits. I'm not a huge fan of modern art, but there were sone interesting pieces. Some not so interesting. There were plenty of seated areas, restrooms, souvenir shops, and a museum restaurant. read more

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Tate Modern is a FREE museum along the Thames River. You can easily walk in without a reservation, making it a potential victim to overcrowding. This art gallery features a collection of national and international works of arts that are modern or contemporary. Honestly, that's my least favorite... However the rain was coming down and it was a FREE activity that was convenient to our plans. read more

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We came by the tube to Blackfrier station. Crossed the bridge and found the Tate. The interior is massive, like a stadium. The different floors let you wander. and the corner cafe has wonderful choices of cold sandwiches and deserts. A great way to explore art. read more

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If you're a fan of modern/contemporary art, the Tate Modern is definitely for you. (The National Gallery is where you'll find the classic/historic art.) The Tate Modern has pieces that are truly modern, like created within the past few years - but also has some classic "modern" artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Matisse, Picasso, Judith Rothschild, Degas, and Kandinsky. Those are the big names that you will find, but there are hundreds of others to discover, including paintings, sculptures, interactive experiences, murals, and more. The Tate Modern is free to visit for most of the museum pieces. When we visited (Fall 2024), they had a paid exhibition of Expressionist works, which many of the more modern pieces were housed in. I think that was cool, but the paid exhibits are definitely not cheap for non-members, so sticking with the free exhibits is definitely an okay way to visit the Tate. If you're a London resident, or visiting for a long time, it may be worth it to get the Tate membership because you get free access to any of the limited time exhibits. The Tate is definitely worth a stop for a few hours or more when you're in London, especially if you are a big fan of modern art. There is a ton to see and experience - and best of all, it's free! read more

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As an art lover, London can be overwhelming with its endless offerings. After several trips to the ornate grand buildings of classical architecture filled with paintings from the Renaissance and Victorian eras and beyond, the stark, Brutalist Tate Modern structure full of challenging works from 1900 to now is the must go to reset. The free museum (special shows have admission fees) is astounding. Plan to spend at several hours. The industrial concrete floors mean comfortable shoes and frequent rest stops should be part of the plan. read more

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Another free museum in London so worth checking out on that alone. There are also special exhibits available that you can purchase tickets for. Museum showcases art from 1900s to current. Can easily spend 2-3 hours here. I am by no means an art aficionado, especially with modern art so I found some of the art really fascinating while other pieces went way over my head. The artwork themselves are labeled with descriptions so you can learn more about them. Museum is very well kept with multiple levels to explore. If you're an art novice like me, I think the free parts are plenty worth it but some of the paid special exhibits sounded really interested if you really enjoy modern art. read more

Stop into the Tate Modern for an excellent view with a meal. Then spend the whole day walking around to explore the incredible museum. Some exhibitions are not free but most of the permanent displays will be. Don't forget to check out the coffee shop and bookstore before you leave! read more

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One of my favorite museums in London!! So kid kids friendly, lots of space to run around, and a lot to see and do read more

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I greatly enjoy museums that have comfortable areas where you can sit and relax. There is an ample amount of relaxing areas. This was a unique museum with some GREAT displays that you could walk right into. read more

I have been to countless museums in my day, and I can say without a trace of exaggeration that this is the biggest and best art museum I have ever been to. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station and opened in 2000, the building itself is remarkable and a stunning achievement in urban redevelopment. But the art housed within is truly next level. So much to do inside, so much to see, one could easily spend an entire day there and still barely scratch the surface. The good news is it is completely free (though donations are solicited and of course gratefully accepted, and certain exhibitions require a purchased ticket). They are also family friendly. I was there with my girlfriend and ten-year-old son, and a museum docent let me know about a free family tour starting soon. There was also a large play area for little kids with sculptures and art installations built just for them. We only stayed about two hours, but I could have happily spent more time. I will definitely return on my next trip to London and will recommend this as a must see for any visitor to the city! read more

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If you've an afternoon free, Tate Modern is a good choice to leisurely while away a spare hour or two. The museum offers many hours of free entry to the public. Nice touch for locals or families needing low-cost outings. The souvenir shop was colorful and held a great assortment of nick-knacks, books, some apparel, art supplies, and more. Children are definitely welcomed and areas are set up for supervised play. Schools can connect with organizers for more in-depth planning. If you should tire of looking at modern art, there is also a lovely cafe in the upper corner of the building with a fantastic view of landmark or two across the Thames. read more

Tate Modern - Large sculpture in the main hall - Art Museums Near Me - London, XGL

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We visit London once or twice each year and always check out the Tate Modern. On this occasion we bought tickets for the Picasso show and the Nigerian show, both were excellent. We love just being in the building, it never fails to impress. Highly recommended !! read more

Entry and most collections are free; special collections require a ticket. There are folding chairs to be found and tote along - a treat this jet lagged explorer really appreciated read more

Tate Modern - Art Museums Near Me - London, XGL

If you are a fan of contemporary and modern art, Tate Modern is for you. This museum is considered the Crown Jewels of modern art galleries in London. It's one of the top ten most visited museums and galleries in the world and holds a massive collection of masterpieces of international and British art. It's definitely immersive and experimental amongst other things to see. You can find different exhibits on each floor. We were only able to see floors 1-5 the day we went. Floors 6-9 were unfortunately closed. But we did get to see works from Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. Expect to spend a couple of hours here. read more

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One of the largest museums of modern art in the world and it doesn't disappoint. Walking in the door and down the ramp you begin to understand just how massive this place is. 11 floors across two buildings and connected by a bridge and the large entrance atrium, Tate Modern is a must visit for any modern art fan. The ever-changing exhibitions feature world-renowned artists alongside groundbreaking new voices, making each visit unique and thought-provoking. In addition to the art you'll find sweeping river views, and vibrant cultural energy. Oh, and the best part? It's free, but donations are highly encouraged. read more

Tate Modern - Main entrance - Art Museums Near Me - London, XGL

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Tate modern is a must do for contemporary art lovers. We were last here about 10 years ago and the exhibits was 95% new since then, the second building was also not open when we were there last, but they have also instituted several exhibits that are paid only. I enjoyed the Giacometti exhibit, especially the moody lighting and location of one of the pieces inside an old tank. The Richard Long stone circles and waterfall installation which took up and entire large wall were very inspiring to me as were the abstract works of Gerhardt Richter. The Rothko room is impressive and the famous Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe piece are also must sees. The views from the cafe on the 9th floor and some of the exhibit rooms are excellent read more

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Enjoyed my visit to this musesum.museum. Had a great tasting tumeric latte. Interesting unique art! read more

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PROS Free Clean restrooms if you are in the area Great place to escape the cold and/or rain for a bit Henri Matisse painting Great view of the London and the river That's it for me If you enjoy looking at displays of rotting fruit on rocks and women covered in their menstrual blood then you will love it Art is in the eye of beholder but a giant blue square is just not "art" A man pleasuring himself in a fern field, a room full of penis drawings and a film of a naked lady and a pig crawling around the land eating apples is not something young children should have to be subjected to There are so many other museums that are also free that you can enjoy and feel cultured read more

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Modern art of the world museum with several floors of art on display! 10th floor has best view and an espresso bar! We came here after visiting the Shard, which unfortunately due to cloudy weather did not covet the best views of London. Even the tower of Lôndon nearby was hardly a picturesque site! They did offer complimentary visit until March 2025 or when weather is more agreeable... So, Tate Modern was a nice relief and with just good a view on the 10th floor while I sip my iced mocha latte was truly a treat! Coffee here is much stronger than in the U.S.. Cocoa topping reminds me of my home country long ago...I did not start drinking coffee until i moved, worked and lived in Seattle in my prime adult years, yet, I supposed one of few moments I actually felt nostalgic and -by a simple cup of good coffee-absolutely the best drink of the civilized world!!! read more

Tate Modern - Art Museums Near Me - London, XGL

I don't have anything brilliant to reveal about the Tate Modern except to say it's the ideal place to hang out when you're waiting for check-in at your hotel. Jamie W. and I were staying nearby at the Sea Containers London off the South Bank promenade. I've been to this museum several times but not Jamie, so we spent a couple of hours roaming the former Battersea Power Station. The massive Turbine Hall never fails to impress. It has gotten even bigger by over double the gallery space since my last visit with the addition of the twisted brick Blavatnik Building extension. The collection of modern art is extensive with 60,000 permanent works in constant rotation. All the greats are represented though I have to say there isn't really a singular signature piece that defines the museum other than the architecture itself. But who can complain when it's free? Yes, that always blows me away given the breadth of work presented here. They do charge for special exhibitions, so out of curiosity, we paid £22 to see "Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind", quite an expansive hodgepodge of film, music, poetry, photography, and participatory art where we could leave our own mark on an art piece. Well, it was better than we thought it would be, but thank God, we just got a message our room was ready. Oh, I forgot to mention the slow elevators. RELATED - Exploring London? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx read more

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Interesting museum but I would say it should be regulated a bit better for age restrictions. I really enjoyed the fact that a lot of museums are free in the UK and some of them have cute touches like a wish tree where you could write a wish and hang it in hopes of it coming true. They have small activities for kids that's interactive. There are other parts of the museum where there's videos and photographs of different men and women doing inappropriate/sexual poses and acts that are up for display for anyone to see. That was super weird and uncomfortable. It didn't feel at all like art. Otherwise, it's a cool museum. They also had the yoko ono exhibit but it wasn't free so I didn't check it out. read more

Tate Modern - Art Museums Near Me - London, XGL

Admittedly, I don't make my way to museums very often, but when in London with the family, my husband and I thought it was important to go to a couple... and the Tate Modern was the one that was top on our list! Our kids (11 and 13 at the time) really enjoyed the live art areas and I did too! While we didn't get to explore half of the exhibits, since the museum is so large, we enjoyed those that we did. We loved that admission was free and given more time in London, we would have spent many more hours here... Even so, we were impressed and I do recommend a visit to the Tate Modern if you're in town. As with all museums, there is a gift store with some fun items for purchase as well. Enjoy! read more

Earlier this year when my wife was planning our European trip, she mentioned that a majority of the museums in London are free. Being that we love to visit museums during our travels, this was music to our ears. Ironically, a cousin of mine who resides in London, suggested that we visit the Tate Modern museum. Therefore, on our third day of being in London, we ventured to the Tate Modern. Upon arrival, we were enamored by the open space, simplistic architectural design of the museum. When entering each exhibit, you're greeted by thorough details of what you're viewing and supporting artifacts (like most museums). Since we were visiting during traditional work & school hours, the museum was not terribly busy. Therefore, we did not feel rushed when reading descriptions and viewing the various modes of artifacts. Like many museums, sometimes the amount of exhibits can be overwhelming (not complaining). However, there were a number of inclusive exhibits that really stood out to us. One being the Nikita Gale light show that focused on Tina Turner's Private Dancer. Second being the exhibits that highlighted the work, struggles, and sometimes murder of individuals that identify as LGBTQ+. We also fancied the Guerrilla Girls exhibit that brought attention to the discrimination faced by women and people of color. Unfortunately, four floors of the museum were closed (more than likely due to the construction of new exhibits) during our visit. As a heads up, there are certain exhibits within the museum that require payment. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Tate Modern, I highly recommend this museum! read more

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Huge hallways and nice one hour tours. Make sure you leave lots of time to see the artwork. There is a couple of Andy Warhol pieces. Friendly staff here and a cafe. read more

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Modern art museum that's free?! Cool way to spend an hour if you have nothing to do. Wasn't too crowded and they have a gift shop. read more

Tate Modern - Art Museums Near Me - London, XGL

The Tate Modern was founded in 1899 & is one of the world's largest museums. It's housed in what was originally the Bankside Power Station. I was curious where the name Tate came from and discovered Henry Tate was a sugar magnate who invested in the arts. Here we found Great Britains collection of international modern & contemporary art. We spent two hours here seeing only about half of the museum, and could've spent a significantly longer time. Each Exhibit was totally thought-provoking; I didn't know whether to laugh or cry -just profound! Annually the Turner Prize is held here and is awarded to an artist who is either British or working in Great Britain. It is usually the subject of great controversy & creates media attention for contemporary British art, as well as attracting demonstrations. Modern is free & forms part of the 4 museum Tate group along with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. read more

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ok i cant keep handing out 5* like candy so this one was kind of disappointing - huge line and it was hot outside, the only super cool one was the rhythm collection (im not a huge modern art guy) read more

First time at the Tate. I will make this a regular stop on future visits to London. Free and yet priceless in artistic value. So many exhibits, you'll have to plan for at least half a day to properly explore all the floors and experiences. The video artworks were engrossing. Music and images. So many ways to interpret the human experience. Plan for a walk along the Thames as you make your way to the museum. The multitude of people are artworks in and of themselves. read more

Tate Modern - Panoramic view - Art Museums Near Me - London, XGL

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Plan ahead - the tickets and the time. We had to stop by, even for a little bit. And frankly, the little bit (1 exhibition for approximately 1 hour) felt really, really rushed. The space is huge, so plan accordingly. There are a number of exhibitions that require a ticket, and get sold out way in advance. Still, the one we got to see - Philip Guston - was expansive, thought-provoking, and left us wanting to come back for more, next time we are in London. read more

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Been trying to get to see this exhibition for the longest time. Tickets were sold out in NY and in London during my last visit. So grateful to finally get Yayoi Kasuma tickets for only 10GP online. Kasuma's art is an immersive one. "Forget yourself. Become one with eternity. Become part of your environment" Kasuma. She is a living artist and her art is popular around the world, featured on current LV bags and art installations. The Tate Modern itself is free and the special Exhibition was on the 4th floor. The exhibition was actually quite small and consisted of 2 small rooms, with the Chandelier of Grief and the Infinity room. There was a line to get into the rooms and you have 2 minutes to appreciate the art before the staff tells you to leave. If you feel 2 minutes was not enough, you may line up again and usually the lines moved fairly quickly. There is a gallery and 2 slide shows, other than that, it was a small cozy exhibition. A wonderful experience to see the world through Yayoi Kasuma's eyes. read more

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Gayle and I spent fairly compact visit to the Tate Modern during our recent trip the UK. Maybe she was impressed that I visited the Tate Modern on opening day, or that this modern arts museum was kind on the walking way back to our hotel from our Tower of London tour. Observations: 1. The Tate Modern architecture (outside and especially the great hall inside) continues to impress in an "Oh Wow!), sort of way. 2. We were underwhelmed by the gift shops, of which we perhaps expected more of a production like the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. 3. There is no admission charge, which allowed us to wonder through some pretty interesting exhibits. BUT: 4. The special exhibitions cost money and they are priced individually. For example, Gayle and I were interested in the Yoko Ono and Expressionist exhibits. That would have cost us 22 pounds each or 88 pounds total (about $112). Joining the Museum as members may have been more economical, which was probably their point. read more