Art Galleries
London is often referred to as the cultural centre of the world. It is undoubtedly a fine art lover’s paradise which abounds with public and very fine commercial galleries, as well as historic buildings stuffed with antique treasures and splendid architecture. In short there is something to please everyone, on every day of the week; and it is all very accessible. London art galleries attract visitors from all over the world and some of the most famous are the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Academy, the Tate Gallery, the Wallace Collection and the Queen’s Gallery.
Bankside Gallery
48 Hopton Street SE1
Tel: 0207 928 7521
Contemporary watercolours and prints, also special events
www.banksidegallery.com
Barbican Art Gallery
Barbican Centre EC2
Tel: 0207 638 4141
Holds several major exhibitions which can run for two to three months
www.barbican.org.uk
Courtauld Institute Gallery
Somerset House, Strand WC2
Tel: 0207 848 2526
Impressionist paintings collection, world famous names including Monet, Van Gough and Renoir
www.courtauld.ac.uk
Dulwich Picture Gallery
College Road SE21
Tel: 0208 693 5254
Collection of important works by such notable artists as Rubens, Hogarth, Rembrandt and Van Dyck
www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Guildhall Picture Gallery
Guildhall Yard EC2
Tel: 0207 332 1632
17th – 20th century collection of works of art
www.guildhall-art-gallery.org.uk
Hayward Gallery
South Bank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1
Tel 0207 928 3144
This is the South Bank venue for major exhibitions
www.haywardgallery.org.uk
London Silver Vaults
53-64 Chancery Lane WC2
Tel: 0207 242 3844
Forty shops with the largest display of silver under one roof in the world. Also includes high class jewellery and objets d’art shops
www.londonsilvervaults.co.uk
Mall Galleries
Nr Admiralty Arch, The Mall SW1
Tel: 0207 930 6844
Exhibits new work, occasionally for sale
www.mallgalleries.org.uk
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square WC2
Tel: 0207 839 3321
One of the world’s most important galleries. Permanent collection of old masters that includes every European school of painting. Allow at least a full day and buy the information sheet or join a guided tour
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
National Portrait Gallery
St. Martin’s Place WC2
Tel: 0207 306 0055
Famous collection of contemporary portraits of major figures from British history. Also an extensive collection of photographs
www.npg.org.uk
Photographer’s Gallery
5-8 Great Newport Street WC2
Tel: 0207 831 1772
Britain’s leading centre for contemporary photography
www.photonet.org.uk
Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House, Piccadilly W1
Tel: 0207 300 8000
Home of the Summer Exhibition from May to July when the work of living artists is displayed. Also several major special loan exhibitions
www.royalacademy.org.uk
Royal Mint Sovereign Gallery
7 Grosvenor Gardens SW1
Tel: 0207 592 8601
500 year old history of the famous gold sovereign coin related through exhibitions with rare displays
www.royalmint.com
The Queen’s Gallery
Buckingham Palace SW1
Tel: 0207 930 4832
Here you can view an ever-changing exhibition from the huge Royal Collection of art
www.royal.gov.uk
Royal College of Music Dept. of Portraits
Prince Consort Road SW7
Tel: 0207 589 3643
Portraits of musicians from the 16th century to present day
www.rcm.ac.uk
Saatchi Collection
30 Underwood Street, Top Floor N1
Tel: 0207 336 7365
Good collection of contemporary art that was started in the 1970’s
Serptentine Gallery
Kensington Gardens W2
Tel: 0207 298 1515
Changing exhibitions of contemporary artists
www.serpentinegallery.org
Tate Gallery
Millbank SW1
Tel: 0207 887 8000
Main collection of British art and the national collection of modern art including sculpture. Houses the Turner collection
www.tate.org.uk
Wallace Collection
Hertford House, Manchester Square W1
Tel: 0207 935 0687
Bequeathed to the nation in 1897 by Lady Wallace, this outstanding collection contains works of art of all kinds from paintings by Titian to porcelain and sculpture
www.wallace-collection.org.uk
Related Sections:
Cultural Tours
London Attractions
London Theatres
London Ticket Agents
Museums & Libraries
Music & Dance
Sport in London
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