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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
3 years ago
Lots to see in that museum and it's free except for some exhibits. I especially like the guided tours, all different and a good way to learn about the artists and ask questions. They last about 45 minutes and you may want to call ahead as they sometimes get canceled. If you need a break, there's a restaurant and a coffee shop with beautiful views. read more
I have never been one to appreciate modern art. Always thought it went above my head. This trip to Tate might be the turning point. It is all about context and reading about the inspiration being the art made all the difference. I felt the same way about opera until they started showing the sub titles so I knew what was going on. Don't judge me! All about the context... read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
This museum is free of charge and a close walk from Borough market. It has some interesting exhibits and some incredibly odd ones. It's worth a visit if you're in London. read more
This museum reminds me of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. I did not like the outside design of the building - it looked very plain and boring to me. The art within itself is a decent collection of modern art from around the world. Some of the more famous pieces are by Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Picasso. The best part about this museum is that it is free. I know that this museum is very famous in London. However, if it was not free, I would give it three stars, as I am not a big fan of modern art myself. read more
3 years ago
Way a way to while away the day! The Tate Modern is a huge, multi-level delight featuring multiple gift shops, craft areas for children, and a rooftop patio perfect for capturing the city skyline. Bless you London and your many free museums! There is something here for different people of all ages to enjoy and my walk from the Waterloo Station area to the Tate Modern was easy and enjoyable. Less than 30 years old, the Tate Modern is a brilliant addition to European museums that both charm and delight is. read more
Great museum featuring modern art. I went for the Lubaina Himid show and it was amazing. I also decided to stay and see works from the permanent collection. Best part is that I got to see work from the "historical canon" that I learned about in art school. It's way great to see these pieces in person to get an additional perspective on what makes them great/important. The museum is currently doing timed entry so your best bet would be to get your tickets online ahead of time read more
To be honest, I'm a bit of a modern art skeptic, but I did enjoy my time here. I think my biggest takeaway is some of the differences between the iconic renaissance-style art you see in much of London compared to modern art, especially in the artists' intention, and the way they want you to feel. The free exhibits started out with a display on color and its affect on our thoughts and emotions. As a marketer, I found this very interesting, but not necessarily show-stopping. It then moved into some pretty dark takes on slavery and freedom. Overall, I liked some exhibits more than others - I'm not a huge fan of multimedia (video) art. For the price point (FREE!), this is well worth the time, but not necessarily a must-visit if you're not super into modern art. If you do decide to visit, keep an open mind! Modern art isn't necessarily meant to be enjoyed in the same way as other types - it isn't always pretty, but Tate Modern presents it in a relatable and understandable way. read more
One of my most favorite museums in London, the Tate modern always impresses. The permanent collection is filled with gems. Meanwhile, the ever-changing special exhibits are always a delight. Right now, you can visit Yayoi Kusama's Mirror Rooms, although good luck getting tickets. They're sold out through September 2022. Even if you can't get in there though, visiting the Tate is highly worthwhile. Best of all, The permanent collection is always free. So, you really have no excuse. Be sure to stop by at the outdoor observation balcony on the fourth floor for views of Saint Paul's cathedral and the River Thames. read more
I'm a fan of modern art and the Tate Modern museum didn't disappoint. This museum could be comparable/ similar to MoMA museum (in NYC) as another reviewer noted. It's free admission, but there are some special exhibits where you have to book in advance. We booked tickets to "Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms" almost two months in advance and I signed up for email notifications to be notified for ticket releases. It's 10 GBP per admission ticket. We did the 10am time slot and it wasn't super busy. We got about 2-3 minutes inside each infinity room. There's also photographs of Yayoi Kusama life and her work in the exhibit. After that, we explored the entire museum and we saw other modern artworks and sculptures. I would return whenever I visit London again. read more
The Tate Modern is a new museum on the south bank. Crowded in the afternoon but very much worth the trip. Many exhibits are free. Visited the Cezanne temporary exhibit. Nice selection of his art and narrative provided of his life. Hard to take any pictures without people. This one was funny. read more
Wow this museum was absolutely incredible. First, just getting into the building is a really unique experience. I loved that it didn't feel like a traditional museum. There was a live performance taking place as soon as I walked in, everyone was quiet and fully engaged. The museum is also free, there are many levels to explore and enjoy... you only pay for the special exhibits - I had the opportunity to be present for the Surrealism Beyond Borders, Lubaina Himid, Yayoi Kusama's infinity room. I got really lucky! I loved everything about Tate Modern. I look forward to visiting again in the future. read more
4 years ago
First museum during my trip and I gotta say, this place is huge. So many levels and exhibits and most of it free! When I arrived there was actually a fire drill so everyone was outside for maybe 10 minutes but after that, it was super efficient to get back in. As long as you have tickets beforehand you should have no trouble. There are some truly beautiful pieces of art but also it felt like some of it was too much for me. I still recommend this museum if you are interested in modern art or if you have a free afternoon because it deserves to be visited regardless. It's also near so many beautiful stops like the borough market and if you get in by the millennium bridge you get a bit of Harry Potter filming location giddiness. read more
The Tate Modern is located in the East part of London, in the vicinity of St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, and the very awesome, foodie-heaven known as Borough Market. I like modern art and really enjoyed the MOMAs in NYC and SF, but the Tate is just AOK for me. As a tourist I enjoyed the National Gallery and British Museum a bit more. The Tate is comprised of several buildings, and there are escalators in each leading to exhibits. Navigation is a bit tricky for sure. I liked how they have plenty of seating, free wifi, and large and clean restrooms. You can also get a really nice view of the Millennium Bridge and see St. Paul's Cathedral from the upper levels. Some of the cool exhibits I saw: 1. Salvador Dali's Lobster Telephone: Surreal and weird, like something out of David Cronenberg. Its supposed to represent food and sex but I don't get it. 2. Cildo Meireles' Babel: An impressive tower of radios stacked on high, with technology spanning several generations. Reminds me of something you might see in American Gods. 3. Gaston Lachaise' Elevation: Cool nude bronze statue standing on tippy-toes. Heavy and light at the same time! 4. Peter Sedgley's Cycle III: They used several light sequences on a programmable timer so you get funky color patterns as you see the painting, like the Eye of Sauron. read more
Wow, one of the weirdest, most random museums I've ever been to. It definitely reminded me of the MoMA back home in NYC. There are four free parts of international modern and contemporary art, and for the rest, you have to pay. It took me about an hour and a half to wander through these four parts; some of the art is provocative, some is thought-provoking, some raunchy, some boring, some political, some emotional, some feminist, and of course, you've got a lot of the "I could've done that myself" art. There was this light installation room that I thought was unique. There was another wire art exhibit that stood out for me. There was even a robot-type structure made by Parvis Tanavoli that caught my eye. It's pretty interesting, but I wouldn't say this is a "must-visit" museum of London; I'd come if you're looking for something different and non-touristy, though. Their gift shop is one-of-a-kind! If you want to find something weird, informational, or entertaining pertaining to art, architecture, or London, I'd definitely suggest coming here. One thing I will say is a must is a visit to their rooftop. What a view! Go check it out for at least ten minutes. Instead of doing the London Eye or the Skygarden, come see all of London for free from here. read more
8 years ago
Do yourself a favor and go up to the top of the building. The view of the city skyline is amazing and totally free. It's worth a trip for this alone. This museum is about what you'd expect for a modern art museum - a variety of humorous, somber and just plain bizarre exhibits. Don't worry too much about 'getting' the artwork, just take it all in. There's a lot to see here, and if you wanted you could spend a few hours wandering around. This is one of the more interesting museums that London has to offer, so don't skip it. Remember what I said about the view from the top! You won't regret it. read more
If you enjoy modern and contemporary art this is a must while in London. It's easy to see the entire museum, is not that big. Si disfrutas del arte moderno y contemporáneo, este es un must en Londres. Es fácil de recorrer, no es un museo tan grande. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Amazing museum in London. It's free entrance (although reservations are encouraged) and there are some paid exhibitions. The installations free of charge are good and the location: right next to the Thames, is unbeatable. read more
I don't understand a lot of modern art. I tried, but I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Why are three white rectangles something to marvel at? Additionally, unlike most of the museums in London, a significant portion of the stuff here requires you to buy a ticket. There's definitely some interesting paintings scattered throughout the free sections, but the best stuff is hidden away behind a paywall. If modern art is your thing, come check this museum out. Otherwise, you're better off prioritizing other museums. read more
7 years ago
6 years ago
Loved this museum and was so glad I decided to stop by on my weekend trip to London. If you like modern art, you should definitely come here. They had more exhibits/levels than I expected so I spent a decent part of my day there. They also have so many cafes and even a restaurant here. They have a cafe on the top level with a great view of London. The museum is also connected to the Millenium Bridge, which is pretty cool. read more
9 years ago
This place is enormous! Thankfully, the majority of their collections are free to view with a few featured exhibits available with ticket purchase. There are several daily guided tours to pick from, and the couple of docents we overheard as we browsed seemed knowledgeable and engaging. Given the name, it should come as no surprise that the art on display is mostly of a modern nature but there is plenty of work that is not sprinkled throughout. There are several floors of exhibits, divided up by artist location and theme. You could literally spend a week here exploring it all. There are a couple of cafes and a cafeteria on site, and other options nearby. read more
7 years ago
For some strange reason I enjoyed this museum and to be honest it was a departure for me. The immediate feeling was not favorable, however as the visit progressed the more I began to appreciate what was being presented. So my advise, give the Tate Modern a chance it will certainly test your limits and hopefully you'll come around as did I, keep an open mind. read more
This museum is a must see! Downtown London's and it's free! We had the opportunity to see a special exhibit which did cost money but was well worth it. They always have new exhibits cycling through. It's on the south bank so you can go for a stroll after you take in some super cool art. They also have a cafe at the top! And it has balcony with an great view. read more
What a strange museum. I felt like I was back in SF or in a art film. Hey, it's modern art, so expect some strange things here. I'm more a classic type of art guy, but the wife loves this stuff so I'll check it out as sometimes I'm pleasantly amused. Like the Michael Jackson with Bobo the monkey! Can't beat that. Only drawback is that they were closing early today, so they decided to kick us out early! Why I outta. An interesting place, but not my favorite museum. They did give the exhibits space to breath, which is pretty surprising for London. read more
7 years ago
What can I say about the Tate Modern that hasn't already been said? I'll make an attempt, but I reckon if you are a fan of contemporary art, come and spend some hours checking this place out. Its a glorious homage to Modern Installation Art. I love the refurbished architecture of the two buildings the museum is spread out over, and the free tours are absolutely brilliant! The location of the two buildings (Natalie Bell Building & the Blavanik Building) on the bank of the Thames means that the tea room has a glorious view of the river bank and maybe one secret is that there is a free viewing area on the 13th floor of the Blavatnik Building. Btw, we also had lunch at the Cafe in the Natalie Bell Building, and while the views were spectacular, the food was a let down (I have a separate review for the cafe, if you want to know more about my dining experience there). The standout exhibitions for me when I visited this museum in Jan 2019 were: 1) Jenny Holzer artist rooms and Holy Moly!talk about powerful humanist statements that are massively impactful, interesting concepts and art that shocks, is provocative and really impacts you on a visceral level. I had never heard of this American artist prior to this exhibition and her work really blew me away - not just the conceptual thoughts behind it, but also the range of media Holzer has used thru the decades, to make a point about social pressures and society issues. Absolutely recommend checking out her work if it's exhibited at a museum you can get too! 2) The Blavatnik Building lower levels is also know as "The Tanks" which I was informed by the tour guide, was due to to the building being a former oil refinery, and hence the tanks were where the oil was stored. This part of the Tate had some visual and sound experinces. I didnt think the sound installation by Susan Philipsz was all that great, but the Olafur Eliasson exhibition called "Your Double-Lighthouse Projection" was pretty cool - be warned there was a bit of a line to interact with this exhibition. Also in another part of the "Tanks" there was an exhibition, which paid homage to the Japanese manga comic, Ghost in the Shell, and so there was a variety of medium (music, video, artwork) curated under the name of No Ghost Just a Shell, which I thought was pretty interesting. 3) Judi Werthein's Brinco ('jump' in Spanish) Shoes was another piece of art that was interesting to me. Basically Werthein had a factory in China make a certain number of trainers and then she did two things. The majority of the shoes were distributed to people attempting to cross the border illegally in Tijuana, Mexico. She also sold a certain number in art galleries in the US and the money raised went to a shelter which helps migrants. The trainers are designed quite ingeniously and have a flashlight, a compass, medicine and pockets to hide money. For the piece de resistance, the removable insole has a map of the border area between Mexico and the US!! The exhibition at the Tate showed the shoes, and news videos plus articles about when Werthein first showed the installation at an Art Gallery in NYC. What disturbed me most about this exhibit was the hate emails and vitriolic letters sent to the gallery and to her, accusing her of supporting illegal migration. People have a lot of hate and the abuse towards her was honestly horrific and really made me think of Free Speech rights in the US. These were the 3 stand-outs to me from when I visited the Tate. However I also really liked that the artwork and installation had a very global perspective - there was an exhibition from Korean, Chinese, Indian artists too! And it's also transcends various times - so you have items from the beginning of Modernism (Marcel Duchamp's Fountain really made me laugh) thru to the 20s and 30s and the Mondrian color theorist. Honestly every past and current generation of Modernism Art is really well represented. Also the gallery rooms are well laid out, the free tour that we took had an excellent and informative guide and there's positively something for everyone, so highly recommended! Yelp 7/ 2019 read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
The Tate Modern was such a cool museum. The mix of sculpture and paintings made it really interesting to see. I was a bit confused by the layout between the two buildings, but there is just so much in the museum you could spend days here. The gift shops were also nice and they had some cheap poster options! read more
If you're ever feeling artsy fartsy in London this is the place to be. There is no shortage of cool art projects here. Some might make your raise an eyebrow other make might you want to snap a picture with your phone. That's the beauty of art. Every single art piece in here will make you react differently. Some might bring back nostalgia but either way it is fun to see. For the price of free you can't really beat the deal. There are a few section available for paying customers only but there is plenty to see in the free areas. There are about 4-5 levels in this museum. Each level and section have a particular theme. The free access area will keep you occupied for at least 2-3 hours. The souvenir shop is filled with goodies. The collection of design books is amazing. I was so tempted in buying almost everything I saw. It is a must see if you're in the area. read more
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Bankside
London SE1 9TG
United Kingdom
South Bank, Southwark
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020 7887 8888
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http://www.tate.org.uk/modern
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Tate Modern - artmuseums - Updated July 2026
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