After my visit to the National Gallery, I went to the nearby National Portrait Gallery. Even…read morethough art museums aren't on the top of my list of attractions, the National Portrait Gallery was right there, and, like the National Gallery, it was free, so no reason not to go. As the name suggests, the National Portrait Gallery focused on portraits (paintings, busts, and photographs), and the portraits were grouped into categories, such as royalty, authors, and scientists. Since there was an informational plaque by each portrait that also included a brief history about the person, it was also educational. I visited the National Portrait Gallery for about an hour, and I also had a drink and snack in the Audrey Green Café. (The gallery also has a couple of full service restaurants.) [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; London, England; Museums and Art Galleries; Cheap Thrills]

A must do in London. It is free entry (donations accepted) . Portraits starting in the Tudor…read moreages but for me, the most interesting are the portraits of more current people - Amy Winehouse, Germaine Greer.... it is well laid out and you can easily spend a few hours. Even though it is free, you can 'buy' your tickets on line so then you bypass the line up. Worth doing if you are in London.

Yacob's Gallery display a range of Islamic and Arabic art, including paintings, sculpture and…read morecalligraphy. I'm a keen art lover and I love all types of art and culture. This gallery was very neat and beautiful, it reminded me of them morrocan galleries. I loved the art works and the gallery represents islamic culture at its best. A great fantastic place to visit which is in the heart of London.

I first came here for the Michael Craig Martin Private view which was some time ago. The difference…read morebetween going to a private view in the Gagosian and a private view in other galleries is there is no wine, I might have been a bit early but I didn't see a glass in sight. The space itself is great though, with one main large room and two smaller rooms to each side, I've been in the gallery in New York as well and it's a similar layout. The location could be better, situated in Britannia Street so the nearest tube station is Kings Cross.

Huzzah for UK Yelp! Finally! So I am going to Yelp a two year old show and gallery visit for my…read more400th review. Nyah. This gallery was the art highlight (and only art visit since I went with and for my two teenage sons who abhor art galleries/museums) of my very short trip to London two years ago. I came to see the Francis Bacon triptychs and was not disappointed. For an added bonus, Damien Hirst's works were being shown as well. The gallery is pretty nondescript from the outside located on a small side street near the Kings Cross Station. The front belies the large, well-lighted space inside. The Bacon works were positively glowing. This space seems nicer than the New York Gagosian but maybe I was just enamored by the Bacon paintings.

Just about everyone else has said it, but this is really an asset for London. Quirky indie films…read moreand an eclectic shop, plus a great small bar make this a wonderful venue. I'm always struck by the contrast between the entrance beneath the Neoclassical splendour of Carlton Terrace - about as Establishment as you can get - and the vaguely grungy industrial feel of the ICA as you go in. I've always found the staff to be friendly and helpful, though don't leave it to the last minute to pick up pre-booked tickets. It's the sort of place where patrons turn up in groups so you can find yourself in a frustrating queue, as someone ahead of you tries to remember their booking reference for eight people. But visit once and you'll become a fan.

The ICA holds some fond memories for me, i first encountered the white washed walled venue around 2…read moreyears ago when the first and currenlty the only 100% Grime club night was held. Just imagine Tempa T (Slew Dem crew) mcing around walls with art on them, amazing right? Since i have been there the first time i have visited the ICA (Institute Of Contempary Art) many a time for magazine launch parties and live poet shows which have been a really good experience. If your looking for a venue where you can brap, be all artsy and get cheap drinks all in one this is highly recommended, so if you see flyers with this venue on it, get there, nice atmosphere!

Tate Britain is a museum with the collection of some great Art work. I most enjoyed the display of…read moreart works of JMW Turner. The collection being called as "JMW Turner: Rise to Fame" is a beautiful collection of different art works created over several years by the artist. The works are displayed in a certain order. Admired closely along with the notes on display, almost feels like a story being told. Post the viewing of the entire collection, we stopped by to watch the 30 mins documentary being played on the artist and his works, it feels so good and achieved coz the documentary is such a great depiction and familiarisation of those paintings, the rationale of the order of their display and the history associated. The viewing felt like I was revising my already learnt syllabus :-). After finishing the documentary, then went back to see a couple of works again as some of those had been magnified and shown to such detail in the documentary that I got even more curious to have a second look! We took so much time to watch this collection, rather admire it, that rest of the collections din seem to impress us comparatively as much and hence we spent just a couple of hours to view the rest of the series. ** we love viewing art at all the museums that we come across, be it in other locations in the UK such as the beautiful assimilation in the museums in Scotland, in Italy particularly Florence and in Rome, in Austria, in Chicago and in London!! Art is never admired enough even if one as me is not much of a painter or a sculptor themselves :-b

If you want to see a specific exhibition be sure to book in advance. Sadly we missed out on the…read moreexhibition we went to see, it was sold out all day. Luckily, the permanent collection is amazing.

One of my last days in London, and I could not leave without going to a photo gallery! Glad I did…read more There was a piece on the top floor by Bieke Depoorter that was really engaging. And another work about Thamesmead that was equally as interesting. The showings rotate, so it's really luck of the draw as to what you'll see. The gift shop is epic. They have so many books that I wanted to get, but alas, I am but a disabled traveller, unfit for carry large volumes across the pond. Most importantly, they sell all types of film in the shop. Film and even cameras. Who needs candy when you can lick the delicious toxic chemicals of celluloid?

Absolutely loved this gallery, it's small and doesn't take too long to get through. If your a…read morestudent it's 2,50 pounds. If you aren't it's 5 pounds. Took me about an hour to get through and the little "gift shop" had beautiful postcards and books to buy :) If I'm ever in London again I'll be back!

Stopped by the National Gallery yesterday, and honestly, this place is amazing. It's way bigger…read morethan I expected -- room after room packed with artwork from all the famous painters you learn about in school. And the vibe is super chill. Every room has benches so you can sit down, relax, and actually enjoy the art instead of rushing through. The best part? It's completely FREE to get in. You just walk in and suddenly you're face‑to‑face with pieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and a ton of others. You could easily spend hours here and still not see everything. There's just so much to take in -- colors, details, history, all of it. It's the kind of place where you keep saying "okay, just one more room" and then an hour goes by. If you're in London, this is a must‑visit. Beautiful art, relaxed atmosphere, and again... it's FREE. Absolutely worth your time.

The National Gallery is a must see on your visit to London. We went on a Friday night because they…read morewere opened until 9:00 pm. We thought that evening might be a quiet time to go, but the Gallery was packed with art lovers. The Gallery is huge and free to visit, although donations are emcouraged. The building is Greek Revival with a modern addition that serves as the visitor entrance. Ornate domes, marble and granite staircases and beautiful woodwork add to the grandeur. The complex is made up of galleries of art organized by time period, several cafes and gift shops. Maps throughout the complex are very helpful. The Museum houses the most extensive collection of Masters that I've ever seen. There is an entire gallery of spectacular Rembrandt paintings. I enjoyed comparing his style between the different works. Four galleries are filled with Impressionistic greats including a room devoted to Monet's water lily pieces. I saw so many Van Gogh's that I had never seen before. Beautiful benches in each room were inviting to sit and take in the art. There is so much to see that you can't see it all in one day. I ordered free tickets on-line but they were not checking tickets during my visit. I did go through security and they check bags. Rest rooms are sparse, expect to wait in a line to use the facilities. There are lots of stairs with a few elevators available.

I went to see the exhibition of Churchill paintings. It was absolutely stunning! It was well…read morecurated, and the audio guide really gave you a sense of importance of painting in his life. I walked through the rest of the collection, which is almost overwhelming. There is a lot to see there. You really do need to use the audio guide, because there is so much art in a small space. I also appreciated the staff. They were helpful, without being intrusive. One of the things I enjoy the most was that people there were truly interested in art. They stopped and looked. Unlike the crowd at the National Gallery, which just went up to a painting, took a photo, and left without ever even looking at it.

Wonderful collection of European paintings and decorative objects. Whole gallery were well…read moredisplayed and easy to navigate. The best part of the collection was, to my taste, European weapons/armory on the first floor. This section is huge and ranging from Middle Ages to late 18th century. The gun selection is exquisite. If you are studying armory, this is a place to visit. Admission is free and accessible. You can easily spend two to three hours wondering and enjoy the atmosphere. Staff are helpful and willing to help. There is a restaurant/cafe to refresh after long day of sightseeing.