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I've had a mercurial relationship with modern art over the years, but this cartoonishly large museum always manages to attract me when I'm in London. They converted a big old power station into the Tate Modern in 2000, around the same time they constructed the adjascent Millenium Bridge, and really succeeded in making Bankside a fun, trendy part of modern London. This is a mostly-free museum, with some ticketed exhibits you have to pay for. I never do the paid ones, and I always get a few hours of fun strolling through the free galleries. I think they generally only show art from the 20th or 21st centuries, much of which is from well-known figures such as Dali and Rothko, but quite a lot is from newer artists. Plenty of it can come across as pretentious, but you're very likely to find art that is playful or genuinely thought-provoking. There are five (or so) floors of galleries, but sometimes you have to skip a floor if you don't have a ticket. This last time I went that was VERY annoying because there was only one working elevator. This being in a huge old power station, there is an enormous hall at the center that is often taken advantage of with oversized works or activity areas. Whenever I arrive I take a peek in there to see how they're using that space. It's different every time I come to London, and I do like how my curiosity is rewarded each time I commit a few hours to the Tate Modern.
It is a free museum with paid sections. The free museum section is really not worth the visit. The display item is not really an important items. The visit takes 30 minutes. Two floor of display. The location is about 12 to 15 minutes from train station. With all added up. The visit is not the best choice.
Partially free, certainly worthwhile. Spent about two hours speed running through the highlights at the Tate. I really loved seeing The Fountain (Marcel Duchamp, replica). We talked about the ready-made era SO much in my art history classes. Cool to see. The pop art section featuring the Guerilla Girls was also super interesting, with lots of content topical to me as an American. It was quite crowded the day I was here. Something to keep in mind. A quiet museum can be really magical. There were a couple of specific sections that were new shows that required a ticket. There is plenty to see to spend a few hours here that's free, though.
Art, adaptive reuse and concrete forms. The Herzog & de Meuron adaptive reuse of the Bankside Power Station building had been on my architectural bucket list for quite some time. The building itself is an unapologetic mashup of industrial steel and brutalist concrete forms. The art plays really well against this backdrop. We saw a number of great pieces with the free admission. I thinks it's worth your while and I don't understand the poor reviews.
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.
We came by the tube to Blackfrier station. Crossed the bridge and found the Tate. The interior is massive, like a stadium. The different floors let you wander. and the corner cafe has wonderful choices of cold sandwiches and deserts. A great way to explore art.
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!
Stop into the Tate Modern for an excellent view with a meal. Then spend the whole day walking around to explore the incredible museum. Some exhibitions are not free but most of the permanent displays will be. Don't forget to check out the coffee shop and bookstore before you leave!
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.
One of my favorite museums in London!! So kid kids friendly, lots of space to run around, and a lot to see and do
I visited the Tate Modern for the first time earlier this month when I visited London for a few days with my husband. The Tate opened in 2000, but a new building opened in 2016. The museum is located in the former Bankside Power Station, and the museum's Turbine Hall is an incredibly large and open space (but I did wonder why they don't utilize the space to display any large sculptures since it's such an enormous and unused space). It's a striking space, it's one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the world. It's free to visit, but exhibits may have a cost unless you're a member of the museum. When we visited earlier this month, they had three exhibits: Frida: the Making of an Icon (though January 3, 2027); Ana Mendieta (through January 17, 2027); and Julio Le Parc: Light. Color. Action (through May 3, 2027). The Frida exhibit costs 25 pounds, the Mendieta 18 pounds, and the Le Parc 15 pounds. That means that if you wanted to visit all three exhibits, it would cost 58 pounds a person which is, I think, outrageous. I couldn't justify spending that much, so I picked one exhibit - the Frida exhibit - and then just explored the free galleries after our visit to the exhibit. The Frida exhibit (which was organized in collaboration was the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston) was interesting. I've been lucky enough to see much of Frida Kahlo's works before in Mexico and Texas. But the exhibit included many works I had never seen before, and it also included works by artists that were friends or contemporaries of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and works by artists that were inspired by her. The inclusion of "Fridamania," the transformation of Kahlo into an icon, image, brand, made the exhibit different from other Frida exhibits I've seen. The exhibit was extremely crowded - but you have to expect that with an exhibit like this! I found the museum a little confusing to navigate, but we just wandered for the time that we had. Some of the works that really struck me were pieces by Gerhard Richter (the Cage paintings), Belkis Ayón, Sam Nhlengethwa, Carl-Henning Pedersen, Alberto Giacometti, David Hockney, Salman Toor, Mark Rothko, and more. The museum is definitely worth visiting, but I just didn't love it as much as I expected. Since it's free, I'm sure I'll be back to explore more of the permanent collection another time, but I did find it a little difficult to navigate and thought the exhibition admission prices were prohibitively expensive. read more
14 days ago
This was a pretty nice art museum. Tate modern has several arts by Picasso, as well as lesser known impressionist artists. Currently, there is a Frida Khalo exhibit, which was ticketed. I liked how the museum also had female body parts displayed as sculptural work. This place has a restroom on every floor, which I appreciated. read more
I've had a mercurial relationship with modern art over the years, but this cartoonishly large museum always manages to attract me when I'm in London. They converted a big old power station into the Tate Modern in 2000, around the same time they constructed the adjascent Millenium Bridge, and really succeeded in making Bankside a fun, trendy part of modern London. This is a mostly-free museum, with some ticketed exhibits you have to pay for. I never do the paid ones, and I always get a few hours of fun strolling through the free galleries. I think they generally only show art from the 20th or 21st centuries, much of which is from well-known figures such as Dali and Rothko, but quite a lot is from newer artists. Plenty of it can come across as pretentious, but you're very likely to find art that is playful or genuinely thought-provoking. There are five (or so) floors of galleries, but sometimes you have to skip a floor if you don't have a ticket. This last time I went that was VERY annoying because there was only one working elevator. This being in a huge old power station, there is an enormous hall at the center that is often taken advantage of with oversized works or activity areas. Whenever I arrive I take a peek in there to see how they're using that space. It's different every time I come to London, and I do like how my curiosity is rewarded each time I commit a few hours to the Tate Modern. read more
It is a free museum with paid sections. The free museum section is really not worth the visit. The display item is not really an important items. The visit takes 30 minutes. Two floor of display. The location is about 12 to 15 minutes from train station. With all added up. The visit is not the best choice. read more
4 months ago
Partially free, certainly worthwhile. Spent about two hours speed running through the highlights at the Tate. I really loved seeing The Fountain (Marcel Duchamp, replica). We talked about the ready-made era SO much in my art history classes. Cool to see. The pop art section featuring the Guerilla Girls was also super interesting, with lots of content topical to me as an American. It was quite crowded the day I was here. Something to keep in mind. A quiet museum can be really magical. There were a couple of specific sections that were new shows that required a ticket. There is plenty to see to spend a few hours here that's free, though. read more
4 months ago
Art, adaptive reuse and concrete forms. The Herzog & de Meuron adaptive reuse of the Bankside Power Station building had been on my architectural bucket list for quite some time. The building itself is an unapologetic mashup of industrial steel and brutalist concrete forms. The art plays really well against this backdrop. We saw a number of great pieces with the free admission. I thinks it's worth your while and I don't understand the poor reviews. read more
6 months ago
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. read more
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. read more
9 months ago
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. read more
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. read more
11 months ago
We came by the tube to Blackfrier station. Crossed the bridge and found the Tate. The interior is massive, like a stadium. The different floors let you wander. and the corner cafe has wonderful choices of cold sandwiches and deserts. A great way to explore art. read more
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! read more
9 months ago
Stop into the Tate Modern for an excellent view with a meal. Then spend the whole day walking around to explore the incredible museum. Some exhibitions are not free but most of the permanent displays will be. Don't forget to check out the coffee shop and bookstore before you leave! read more
5 months ago
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. read more
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! read more
1 year ago
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. read more
9 months ago
10 months ago
Entry and most collections are free; special collections require a ticket. There are folding chairs to be found and tote along - a treat this jet lagged explorer really appreciated read more
1 year ago
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. read more
One of the largest museums of modern art in the world and it doesn't disappoint. Walking in the door and down the ramp you begin to understand just how massive this place is. 11 floors across two buildings and connected by a bridge and the large entrance atrium, Tate Modern is a must visit for any modern art fan. The ever-changing exhibitions feature world-renowned artists alongside groundbreaking new voices, making each visit unique and thought-provoking. In addition to the art you'll find sweeping river views, and vibrant cultural energy. Oh, and the best part? It's free, but donations are highly encouraged. read more
2 months ago
Tate modern is a must do for contemporary art lovers. We were last here about 10 years ago and the exhibits was 95% new since then, the second building was also not open when we were there last, but they have also instituted several exhibits that are paid only. I enjoyed the Giacometti exhibit, especially the moody lighting and location of one of the pieces inside an old tank. The Richard Long stone circles and waterfall installation which took up and entire large wall were very inspiring to me as were the abstract works of Gerhardt Richter. The Rothko room is impressive and the famous Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe piece are also must sees. The views from the cafe on the 9th floor and some of the exhibit rooms are excellent read more
PROS Free Clean restrooms if you are in the area Great place to escape the cold and/or rain for a bit Henri Matisse painting Great view of the London and the river That's it for me If you enjoy looking at displays of rotting fruit on rocks and women covered in their menstrual blood then you will love it Art is in the eye of beholder but a giant blue square is just not "art" A man pleasuring himself in a fern field, a room full of penis drawings and a film of a naked lady and a pig crawling around the land eating apples is not something young children should have to be subjected to There are so many other museums that are also free that you can enjoy and feel cultured read more
Modern art of the world museum with several floors of art on display! 10th floor has best view and an espresso bar! We came here after visiting the Shard, which unfortunately due to cloudy weather did not covet the best views of London. Even the tower of Lôndon nearby was hardly a picturesque site! They did offer complimentary visit until March 2025 or when weather is more agreeable... So, Tate Modern was a nice relief and with just good a view on the 10th floor while I sip my iced mocha latte was truly a treat! Coffee here is much stronger than in the U.S.. Cocoa topping reminds me of my home country long ago...I did not start drinking coffee until i moved, worked and lived in Seattle in my prime adult years, yet, I supposed one of few moments I actually felt nostalgic and -by a simple cup of good coffee-absolutely the best drink of the civilized world!!! read more
I don't have anything brilliant to reveal about the Tate Modern except to say it's the ideal place to hang out when you're waiting for check-in at your hotel. Jamie W. and I were staying nearby at the Sea Containers London off the South Bank promenade. I've been to this museum several times but not Jamie, so we spent a couple of hours roaming the former Battersea Power Station. The massive Turbine Hall never fails to impress. It has gotten even bigger by over double the gallery space since my last visit with the addition of the twisted brick Blavatnik Building extension. The collection of modern art is extensive with 60,000 permanent works in constant rotation. All the greats are represented though I have to say there isn't really a singular signature piece that defines the museum other than the architecture itself. But who can complain when it's free? Yes, that always blows me away given the breadth of work presented here. They do charge for special exhibitions, so out of curiosity, we paid £22 to see "Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind", quite an expansive hodgepodge of film, music, poetry, photography, and participatory art where we could leave our own mark on an art piece. Well, it was better than we thought it would be, but thank God, we just got a message our room was ready. Oh, I forgot to mention the slow elevators. RELATED - Exploring London? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx read more
2 years ago
Interesting museum but I would say it should be regulated a bit better for age restrictions. I really enjoyed the fact that a lot of museums are free in the UK and some of them have cute touches like a wish tree where you could write a wish and hang it in hopes of it coming true. They have small activities for kids that's interactive. There are other parts of the museum where there's videos and photographs of different men and women doing inappropriate/sexual poses and acts that are up for display for anyone to see. That was super weird and uncomfortable. It didn't feel at all like art. Otherwise, it's a cool museum. They also had the yoko ono exhibit but it wasn't free so I didn't check it out. read more
Earlier this year when my wife was planning our European trip, she mentioned that a majority of the museums in London are free. Being that we love to visit museums during our travels, this was music to our ears. Ironically, a cousin of mine who resides in London, suggested that we visit the Tate Modern museum. Therefore, on our third day of being in London, we ventured to the Tate Modern. Upon arrival, we were enamored by the open space, simplistic architectural design of the museum. When entering each exhibit, you're greeted by thorough details of what you're viewing and supporting artifacts (like most museums). Since we were visiting during traditional work & school hours, the museum was not terribly busy. Therefore, we did not feel rushed when reading descriptions and viewing the various modes of artifacts. Like many museums, sometimes the amount of exhibits can be overwhelming (not complaining). However, there were a number of inclusive exhibits that really stood out to us. One being the Nikita Gale light show that focused on Tina Turner's Private Dancer. Second being the exhibits that highlighted the work, struggles, and sometimes murder of individuals that identify as LGBTQ+. We also fancied the Guerrilla Girls exhibit that brought attention to the discrimination faced by women and people of color. Unfortunately, four floors of the museum were closed (more than likely due to the construction of new exhibits) during our visit. As a heads up, there are certain exhibits within the museum that require payment. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Tate Modern, I highly recommend this museum! read more
The Tate Modern was founded in 1899 & is one of the world's largest museums. It's housed in what was originally the Bankside Power Station. I was curious where the name Tate came from and discovered Henry Tate was a sugar magnate who invested in the arts. Here we found Great Britains collection of international modern & contemporary art. We spent two hours here seeing only about half of the museum, and could've spent a significantly longer time. Each Exhibit was totally thought-provoking; I didn't know whether to laugh or cry -just profound! Annually the Turner Prize is held here and is awarded to an artist who is either British or working in Great Britain. It is usually the subject of great controversy & creates media attention for contemporary British art, as well as attracting demonstrations. Modern is free & forms part of the 4 museum Tate group along with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. read more
First time at the Tate. I will make this a regular stop on future visits to London. Free and yet priceless in artistic value. So many exhibits, you'll have to plan for at least half a day to properly explore all the floors and experiences. The video artworks were engrossing. Music and images. So many ways to interpret the human experience. Plan for a walk along the Thames as you make your way to the museum. The multitude of people are artworks in and of themselves. read more
2 years ago
Modern art museum that's free?! Cool way to spend an hour if you have nothing to do. Wasn't too crowded and they have a gift shop. read more
Plan ahead - the tickets and the time. We had to stop by, even for a little bit. And frankly, the little bit (1 exhibition for approximately 1 hour) felt really, really rushed. The space is huge, so plan accordingly. There are a number of exhibitions that require a ticket, and get sold out way in advance. Still, the one we got to see - Philip Guston - was expansive, thought-provoking, and left us wanting to come back for more, next time we are in London. read more
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Bankside
London SE1 9TG
United Kingdom
South Bank, Southwark
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http://www.tate.org.uk/modern
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