Best Free Art Galleries In London

The National Gallery

There’s an almost overwhelming amount of art that can be found at The National Gallery, with a collection of almost 2,300 paintings. These works date anywhere from the mid-13th century to 1900, making this a must-visit for anyone interested in art history.

From Leonardo da Vinci to Van Gogh, there is something for everyone hidden away in The National Gallery’s expansive display rooms and gallery halls.

It’s impossible to take it all in during one visit, so multiple trips are encouraged in order to truly appreciate the artistry of each masterpiece. Located in the heart of London overlooking Trafalgar Square, it’s an easy addition to a day out in Central London.

Where: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
website: www.nationalgallery.org.uk

National Portrait Gallery

Adjacent to The National Gallery you’ll find the United Kingdom’s National Portrait Gallery. Visit to get lost in the faces of Britain, whether it be a spectacular black & white photograph or an abstract painting full of winding strokes of colour.

It’s home to the most extensive collection of portraits in the world.

The collection consists of historically important and famous British figures captured by painters, drawers, and photographers. From the monarchs of the Tudor and Elizabethan periods, to contemporary pop culture icons, this gallery lets you explore the country’s history through the literal eyes of its people.

where: St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE
website: www.npg.org.uk

Victoria and Albert Museum

Also known as the V&A, the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts, and design. Your breath will be taken away by objects ranging from Parisian dresses designed by Christian Dior to ceramics from 16th century China. Wandering through the Victoria and Albert Museum feels like taking a trip through the histories of design, as you can stride past displays of decadent gilded pieces of British nobility and modern pieces of artwork all in one trip.

Their collections demonstrate craftsmanship and culture, housing treasures from around the world.

where: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
website: www.vam.ac.uk

The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection has a history within itself, with origins dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries when it was built. It was given to the British Nation in 1857 by Lady Wallace, and since then generations of visitors have enjoyed looking at the assortment of paintings, sculptures, furniture, porcelain, and armour residing in this national museum.

The entire museum is decorated with some of the most detailed works you’ll find in London.

The Wallace Collection exposes its guests to the themes of indulgence, leisure, and travel during early modern Europe and the Industrial Revolution, showcasing expertly crafted masterpieces of scenes from places like Venice or the Coast of Picardy. You might even recognise paintings like The Swing, or Titus, The Artist’s Son.

where: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
website: www.wallacecollection.org

The Design Museum

Just an eight minute walk from the High Street Kensington underground, The Design Museum is perfect for those looking for somewhere to see invigorating contemporary art. Their collection includes product, industrial, graphic, fashion, and architectural design, combining modern innovation with entertaining visuals.

With interactive exhibitions and motorised displays, this museum brings a new edge to the art scene in London.

Both the permanent and rotating collections in The Design Museum bring new insight to global issues, and ideas are made accessible through works of art made to intrigue and inspire visitors. While most museums on this list highlight the past, this one encourages us to look towards the future.

where: 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG
website: designmuseum.org

Guildhall Art Gallery

When you walk up to Guildhall Art Gallery, located near Moorgate, you are greeted with semi-gothic architecture made to imitate the style of the neighbouring historical Guildhall, making the building its own kind of art piece. Inside, you’ll find many more of a similar renown. Once you’ve seen your fill of paintings, head below the gallery to see London’s Roman Amphitheater, where you can dive into the city’s ancient Roman history.

Join one of their free guided tours, or simply wander around the gallery to see the expansive collection of Victorian paintings depicting London in its past.

where: Guildhall Yard, City of London, London EC2V 5AE
website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Tate Modern

Sitting on the bank of the River Thames, the Tate Modern is a well-known spot for art-lovers, and a hard structure to miss. The expansive building seems daunting at first glance, but once you step inside curiosity takes over as you’re introduced to some of the world’s most exciting modern and contemporary art.

Paintings, sculptures, and large-scale installations occupy every corner of the Tate Modern.

Upon visiting, you’ll find yourself getting lost in the brightly coloured works with gripping meanings. The exhibitions are equally balanced in education and entertainment, exposing even the most amateur of museum-goers to the world of modern art and artists.

where: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
website: www.tate.org.uk

Tate Britain

The Tate Modern’s sister gallery, the Tate Britain, is home to 500 years of British art and stories. Starting with pieces from the Tudor courts, including the famous Ophelia, the museum has works representing every period up until our present day, also displaying holdings of international modern and contemporary art.

The museum has works representing every period up until our present day.

Watch Britain develop through the evolution of oil paintings with muted, earthy, and ochre tones to the eye catching pigments found in contemporary pieces. Take a visit to this gallery on Millbank, right upriver from the Tate Modern, to absorb history through a visual lens.

where: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
website: www.tate.org.uk

Sir John Soane’s Museum

Another historical location and art gallery in one, Sir John Soane’s Museum is found in the house of Sir John Soane, one of the great English architects who built and lived in it during the 19th century. After his death in 1837, the residence was kept as is and opened to the public to explore the life and works of the neo-classical architect.

In it resides an impressive collection of furniture, antiquities, paintings, sculptures, and architectural models.

While its the smallest of the national museums, in it resides an impressive collection of furniture, antiquities, paintings, sculptures, and architectural models. Each room is packed wall to wall with what were once the possessions of a mastermind and artist in his own right, available for guests to gain inspiration of their own.

where: 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP
website: www.soane.org

Serpentine Galleries

While you might take a stroll in Hyde Park on a warm summer’s day, you’ll probably pass right by two contemporary art galleries hosting exhibitions open to the public. Both the Serpentine South and Serpentine North, located on respective sides of the lake sharing their name, display programmes focusing on sharing new ideas in art and architecture. Rotating exhibitions feature themes of the artistic process, authenticity in art, and the future of art. For those looking for a refreshing and thought-provoking arrangement of works, the Serpentine Galleries are a must-see.

Both the Serpentine South and Serpentine North display programmes focusing on sharing new ideas in art and architecture.

where: hyde park, Multiple locations
website: www.serpentinegalleries.org