Art is always a good idea, especially when in London.
Whichever your preference, be it Abstract Expressionism, Old Masters, Pop Art, Surrealism or Sculpture, London’s wealth of carefully curated, purposely curated, world-renowned art galleries and museums will have you covered. Among them are Tate Modern, the National Portrait Gallery, Saatchi Gallery and many others, the National Portrait Gallery, Saatchi Gallery and more, each home to an impressive collection that speaks to its theme of work and history. While in town, this roundup of the First-Class.com guide to this guide to London's leading art galleries and museums helps you seek out the latest shows, find iconic works in famous London galleries, and explore the city's smaller art galleries for treasures. Whether you're into fine art, photography, modern art, contemporary works or art-focused events, the capital has you covered with unrivalled displays of them all. Many of London's major public art museums and galleries offer free access to their permanent collections, while temporary exhibitions usually require a ticket.
The First-Class.com guide to the ten Best Art Exhibitions in London.
1. Tate Britain
The Tate Britain forms part of the Tate network of four art galleries in London, Liverpool and Cornwall, namely the Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. Situated in Millbank and facing the River Thames, it is on the former site of Millbank Prison. Opened in 1897, it is the oldest gallery in the Tate network and is one of the leading and most prominent museums in the country. Previously known as the National Gallery of British Art and as the Tate Gallery, It officially became Tate Britain when the modern art collection moved to the newly opened Tate Modern in 2000.
The Tate Britain is dedicated to historical and contemporary British art with renowned artists such as Turner, Millais, Rossetti and Hockney. Holding works from the 1500s to contemporary artworks, the gallery also consists of several rooms specifically focussing on one artist, these include Tracey Emin, John Latham and Sam Taylor-Johnson. Other artists included in the gallery are Thomas Gainsborough, Lucian Freud, Peter Blake and Damien Hirst, and it is considered the one of the world's most comprehensive collections of art, of its kind, across the globe. Round off your next trip with our very own Tate coffee and a slice of something sweet in the Member's Room.
Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Where to stay: Shangri-La at The Shard London
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2. Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is London's national museum of modern and contemporary art that sits in what was once the Bankside Power Station, on the South Bank waterfront. It holds over a hundred years of art, from modernism in the early 1900s, to exciting works being created today. This includes paintings, sculptures, and more made by artists all over the world such as Pablo Picasso, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, and Jenny Holzer.
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The permanent collection of modern British art includes pieces by Damien Hirst and Jackson Pollock – and the international art display includes works by Auguste Rodin and Henri Matisse. The main draw is its changing exhibitions which have included works from Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol. Frida Kahlo created around 150 works, including 30 self-portraits. On the top level of the Blavatnik Building is a viewing platform offers some of the best views across London. The museum’s Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building and showcases specific artists. If you're looking for large-scale art projects, between October and March is when the displays are most impressive, with visitor-focused installations that reflect the wider 2026 shift toward immersive digital experiences and works designed to provoke thought and conversation.
Address. Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Where to stay: 45 Park Lane
3. National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 to promote an appreciation of the people who’ve been integral in the making of Britain through the use of portraiture. The portraits are collected for historical and record-keeping purposes and presented chronologically, beginning with the Tudors and moving through the 21st century. The different themes and areas have other period objects complementing the pictures.
Now with more than 200,000 works in a variety of media: paintings, drawings, medallions, sculptures, photographs, film, and video recordings, many of which are illustrated portraits from the 16th Century to the present day. Come face to face with kings and queens, politicians and poets, soldiers and scientists, artists and writers, philosophers and celebrities including Elizabeth I and J. K. Rowling. Behind each image is a fascinating story giving insight into the individual and how they enriched British culture.
Address: St. Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE (reopening early 2023)
Where to stay: Dukes
4. Royal Academy of Arts
The Royal Academy of Arts, based at Burlington House on Piccadilly, was founded in 1768. The long-established art gallery and independent charity hosts major exhibitions by historic and living artists, including one of the biggest shows in the London social calendar: the annual Summer Exhibition. An independent, privately funded institution led by artists and architects, it presents a full programme as well as displays of art and architecture. Its purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions and debate. Income from visitors and supporters provides education in the Royal Academy Schools and supports the Collection. During the Summer months, the hidden garden on the lower-ground floor of the Keeper’s House is open.
The passion project of renowned landscaper Tom Stuart-Smith, the green oasis houses additional works of art. In the gallery shop, you’ll find gifts for the art lovers in your life, from original art and editions to art materials and books. While there, stop for a coffee and light snack at the Courtyard Café and Poster Bar by José or experience a taste of Spain at José Pizarro’s restaurant in the Senate Room in Burlington Gardens. The National Portrait Gallery is also featuring a centenary exhibition on Marilyn Monroe. That Marilyn Monroe exhibition includes previously unseen photographs.
Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD
Where to stay: Brown's
5. The Wallace Collection
At The Wallace Collection is where you’ll find Old Master paintings, stunning decorative art pieces, ancient armouries and an attractive courtyard restaurant. One of London’s loveliest small art galleries, set in the 18th-century townhouse of the Hertford family and Sir Richard Wallace, who collected fine artefacts over generations. It is named after Sir Richard Wallace, who built the extensive collection, and the collection features decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, with many French 18th-century paintings.
The Wallace Collection was bequeathed to the British nation by Lady Wallace, Sir Richard's widow, in 1897. Decked out with elaborate gilding and wall silks, the townhouse’s 28 rooms are filled with sculptures, furniture and porcelain. The Rainbow Landscape by Peter Paul Rubens; The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals; and Titus, the Artist’s Son by Rembrandt are highlights not to be missed. The Wallace Collection's courtyard is the elegant setting for Peyton and Byrne's French-style brasserie and café. Flooded with natural light and surrounded by trees and sculptures, the Wallace Restaurant offers al fresco dining in a sublime setting protected from the elements and bustle of the city.
Address: The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Where to stay: The Connaught
6. Hayward Gallery at Southbank Centre
The Hayward Gallery is a internationally recognised contemporary art gallery and landmark of brutalist architecture. It forms part of the South Bank Centre in an area of art venues alongside the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Rooms and the Poetry Library. Opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 1968, it’s an icon of sixties brutalist architecture and one of the few remaining buildings of this style. Designed by a group of young architects, including Dennis Crompton, Warren Chalk and Ron Herron, it is named after the late Sir Isaac Hayward, the former leader of the London County Council.
The gallery was recently closed for refurbishment, with improvements including skylights to let in more natural light, and the concrete surfaces being restored to perfection. In addition to putting on major exhibitions and commissioning new artworks, the Hayward Gallery organises projects, installations and talks, with key works often helping define the focus of each show. It has hosted exhibitions by Antony Gormley, Dan Flavin, Roy Lichtenstein, Tracey Emin as well as surveys of the Arts Council Collection and notable landscapes on display, including The Rainbow Landscape, alongside garden teak furniture designs.
Address: Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Where to stay: The Goring
7. Saatchi Gallery
The Saatchi Gallery has presented contemporary art exhibitions showcasing the work of emerging artists since it was opened by Charles Saatchi in 1985. These exhibitions drew upon the collection of Charles Saatchi, which led to the gallery becoming a recognised authority in contemporary art. The Gallery acquired a strong reputation for introducing artists who would later gain worldwide recognition. In 2019 Saatchi Gallery became a registered charity and began a new chapter in its history. The mission is to provide a platform for contemporary art and culture while supporting artists and making contemporary art accessible to all.
They thrive on collaborating with emerging artists and introducing their work to more people. As a charity, the organisation strives to be self-funded. The Saatchi Gallery is housed in the historical Duke of York headquarters on Chelsea’s famous King's Road, with three floors and over 21,000 square metres devoted to temporary exhibitions. Visitors can opt for a guided or self-guided tour. Hayward Gallery is also hosting a retrospective of Anish Kapoor, his first in 28 years. The exhibition ends on 18 October 2026.
Address: Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, London SW3 4RY
Where to stay: Mandarin Oriental, London
8. South London Gallery
The South London Gallery opened in Camberwell in 1891 and is a publicly funded gallery of contemporary art, live art and events. The expansion of the South London Gallery designed by 6a architects provides new gallery spaces, a café, a flat for an artist in residence and a new education building. The original top-lit gallery is one of the finest art spaces in London. The area is a melting pot of culture and style from the leafy suburb of Richmond to the history-rich streets of Greenwich, and the nightlife of Clapham.
The special character of the building has long inspired artists and played a vital role in establishing its reputation for launching talent. The gallery’s historic art collection has more than 5,000 paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and ceramics in it. The collection includes self-portraits by a range of artists and works relating to the local area. The bookshop has a selection of books, magazines, stationery and gifts suitable for all ages.
Address: 65 Peckham Rd, London SE5 8UH
Where to stay: One Aldwych
9. Leighton House, Holland Park
Leighton House on the edge of Holland Park in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, is the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896). From the house’s construction in the 1860s up until shortly before Leighton’s death, it was a constant preoccupation for him absorbing large amounts of his time, money and effort.
It is here that he lived, worked and entertained and came to embody the idea of how a great artist should live. Leighton had taken trips to Turkey, Egypt and Syria, where he collected textiles, pottery and Arabian artefacts which he displayed in his house, eventually expanding to include the Arab Hall – which today is a highlight of any visit. Leighton’s house has been one of London's lesser-known cultural attractions for decades, and like the talent-launching spaces that can define an artist through a first solo exhibition, it still suggests how architecture itself can inspire creative ambition. Leighton was one of the most prominent artists of his day, serving as President of the Royal Academy of Arts. His tastes are reflected throughout the house's interiors.
Address: 2 Holland Park Rd, London W14 8LZ
Where to stay: Bulgari London
10. Dulwich Picture Gallery
Dulwich Picture Gallery sits in the heart of in Dulwich Village, south London and was the first purpose-built art gallery in the world. Opening to the public in 1817 in a building designed and built by the leading architect Sir John Soane, it holds a significant collection of 17th-and-18th-century European Old Masters that gives it an important place in art history. Much of the permanent collection originated from a collection assembled by Sir Francis Bourgeois and Noël Desenfans for King Stanisław August Poniatowski of Poland.
His wish was for a Royal Collection from across Europe to have a permanent home. Of the collection, 600 did find their way to the Dulwich Picture Gallery and have been on display since the art museum first opened its doors with European masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Rubens, Gainsborough and Canaletto. The Dulwich Picture Gallery has a great connection to art in the modern world and holds temporary exhibitions, including the occasional exhibition exploring how Old Masters continue to shape contemporary culture, and hosts lectures. There is a gift shop on site where visitors can buy books, homeware and unique souvenirs.
Address: Gallery Rd, London SE21 7AD
Where to stay: St. Ermin's
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