Lazarides is one of the most unique art gallery spaces in London that I've visited. The current…read moreinstallation they are exhibiting is for a group of artists showcased in a book called Outsiders. Most of these artists are from street art backgrounds, but none of their work is graffiti. In fact most of their pieces are really intense, formidable modern works that are definitely worth viewing. The walls in this space are not stark white. They are painted with rogue imagery, stapled and abused, adding an additional flair to the display of these artists' works. I found some paintings selling for just over £100 and others selling for thousands. If you have a hundred quid to spare you may be purchasing a work by the next Andy Warhol. You never know.

When you are in the City (Square Mile) of London, be sure to think about stopping in the wonderful…read moreGuildhall Art Gallery. This is a free art museum so all you need is the time. There are many British paintings but the largest collection is from the Victorian era ... yes there are lots of Pre-Raphaelites. The 18th Century American painter John Singleton Copley is represented by his huge masterpiece 'Defeat of the Floating batteries at Gibraltar.' And at the lowest lever level of the museum are the discovered ruins of the great Roman amphitheatre in Londinium. Everything is displayed nicely and the Guildhall Art Gallery staff are especially friendly. Don't miss it!

This gallery is a diamond in the rough. I had no idea this place even existed *bows head in shame*…read more I went online to find free art galleries in London and was lead to this place. Best. Find .Ever! Hallelujah! They have free guide tours on specific times and days - It is so worth checking out. The tour guide was incredibly informative with the history and knowledge of the artist behind each paintings. There was a group of us who was shown around the gallery (it is huge!) and our heads were filled with so much incredible information about the history of London. The highlight of the gallery is the last remains of amphitheatre which is down by the basement. For someone who has a passion for history, this place blew me away. It is certainly worth checking out!

The Yayoi Kusama exhibition is taking place at present and the venue is perfect for it...albeit a…read morelittle hot on a warm day. The queues are pretty long on a weekend as it's only open on Saturday but worth the wait. Everything is super visual and pretty. Really nice experiences.

I visited this gallery to have a look at the Yayoi Kusama exhibition which is running until the…read more30th July. I arrived shortly before 10am (opening time) to be greeted with a long queue outside. Thankfully the line moved pretty quickly and I was soon inside. The staff did say that the exhibition is extremely popular on Saturdays so it is probably advisable to get there as close to opening time as possible. As the exhibition contains several mirrored rooms, which visitors can go in individually or in small groups, you do end up queueing again to get into each one, although the staff are very helpful and good at limiting the time to keeping things moving (you get 20 seconds in the pumpkin room and a minute in the others). The art itself is very cool, the mirrored rooms are excellent and each provides a very different experience (and some great photo opportunities!) The garden is really relaxing with a big pond containing another installation. If you do visit, make sure you go and have a look at the paintings and also the Rana Begum 'The Space Between' exhibition which is equally beautiful. I really enjoyed this gallery and exhibition and will definitely be keeping an eye on the listings for future exhibitions at Victoria Miro Gallery.

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.

Great hidden gem! Visiting here is free. This guy has such a large collection of art and artifacts…read morethat he could color code his ancient vases. "The Swing" is such a beautiful painting. Most of the artwork is from the Victorian era, so if paintings of rich people from their day with ruffled collars is your thing ... this is the place for you. There are other amazing pieces and there was a modern art exhibit happening on the ground floor. Just when you think you are done, there is an entire room full of medieval armor behind the store. Pro-tip - the bathrooms are amazing and free. And finally, don't accidentally lean on Marie Antoinette's chest of drawers like I did. To be fair, I don't Marie would have lost her head about it!

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.

Squashed between businesses and very close to the street, Sesame has a new white look. Refursbished…read moreto look like another commercial gallery it has a number of artists from different geographical backgrounds. They focus mostly on painting and the works I've seen so far are truly colourful and interesting. Spread over three floors; I find it interesting to meet the artist for a chat.

This is a great little gallery located on Upper Street just a short walk from Angel Station…read more I've always been impressed with the shows put on here - from fairly notable London street artists to internationally acclaimed contemporary artists. The exhibitions usually highlight young paintings and most of what I've seen has had some sort of edge or underground feel to it.

Another one of my favourite places to visit in London. It looks beautiful at any time of day and…read morethey have a great selection of exhibits, music concerts, film screenings and it's also one of the nicest places to ice skate in the winter. Centrally located on Strand street and a worthwhile visit even if you only go to appreciate the architecture from the courtyard.

Somerset house is supposed to have a great ice skating rink and holiday d decorations right in the…read morecenter of London. If I'd known about that in advance I would have never come as I never developed skills to ice skate having lived all my life in California. Normally I would not pay money to see a museums in London as all the big government funded museums for the public are free of charge for entry. However we were walking down the embankment area next to the Thames and came across free public bathrooms something unheard of in Europe. The bathrooms were connected to a restaurant which was part of the somerset house. Wife and I feeling relieved gladly paid the money for the entry fee. Several buildings with paintings and photographs from around the world both of people and of animals in their natural setting. Looked like a series of pictures from covers of national geographic magazines. Ended up paying 30 GBP or $39 for two entries, an expensive public bathroom visit.

Unusual, weird and so my type. Firstly, the place makes you…read morean impression just by hearing the name. Yes, it was a horse hospital long ago. The old building gets you that strange feeling and you just know there is something special inside. If you're an admirer of unusual art -- you know you have to come here. I advert some exhibitions may be confusing or disturbing. Expect anything -- underground artists, performance artists, filmmakers, alternative musicians, photographers, fashion designers, and writers. Yesterday there was an exhibition of drawings form Neringa Plange which I adored. Her art is different from the illustrations you're used to see. She creates an alternative reflection of feelings on fabric. What's the most surprising thing you can contemplate here? Check the events on their site and come art from a different view.

I'm almost reluctant to post about this place. I want to keep it for myself, you see. So what can I…read moresay without giving it entirely away? The Horse Hospital prides itself on being London's true home of the avant-garde, and it certainly has a point. So far as ground level chaotic avant-garde activity in London there's not much doing, especially when compared with other European centres (i.e. Berlin). For those of us to whom the avant-garde is a kind of sustenance or lifeblood The Horse Hospital is a critical destination. Their programming is varied and crosses disciplines easily and regularly. The best, though, are the mini-festivals that pass through.

Loved the shop. Some of the prints were a bit pricy but I understand the trade. I've been looking…read morefor good prints to bring home to my mother in America and it was the best place to find exactly what I needed. Highly suggest!!

Magnificent! I was…read moreafter a print of Alexandra Palace for my fella's birthday and was pointed in the direction of Storey's by my mum: "You must have been before - that little store just off St Martin's Lane?" Erm, nope! Well, Storey's certainly is a 'hidden treasure' and I can't believe it's taken me almost three decades in London to discover it. Boxes and boxes of original, rare prints, from London scenes to military and naval to old maps - it's a trove of gems and I could have happily spent the entire day flipping through the images. There were three men serving when I arrived and one helped me to locate a fantastic, large print of Ally Pally from 1875 that was exactly what I was looking for. I continued to explore and also found a smaller print of 1820s Covent Garden market from 1885 and one of the Globe Theatre from 1885. The prices vary wildly in price, for example the small Globe print was a reasonable £30 while a similar sized map of north London was £230! Yikes! Many of them are extremely rare original prints and engravings, so it really depends on their age I guess. As I've said before, size isn't everything! My purchases cost me a modest £150 without framing, not bad considering their quality and uniqueness! They provide a framing service here but I wasn't sure where we'd hang them so decided to hold on so I could pick an appropriate frame later. This really is a great place to come for a thoughtful and unique gift for friends, family or that 'someone special'... or even just to treat yourself! If I'm in the area and have time to kill I will definitely be popping back in for a look around - I could spend hours in Storey's!

Huge crowds and it wasn't even a weekend. Reason: free…read more This is equivalent to Natural History ones in US. However, there are historical contexts with british roman empires and other inclusions that makes this place distinct in a variety of ways. There are also kid packet activities- ask front desk. Some areas have uneven heating and cooling so you may be prone to fainting / esp if the ennui alone is not enough to get you there- ha! Place is great for history buffs, though, as it is free- do not expect high end bathrooms and overall exceptional service. Otherwise, 5 stars for being free and for a very elaborate set up.

British Museum, London, April 5…read more Our family of four with kids ages 9 and 10 spent part of the afternoon at the British Museum as an easy cultural stop during our London stay. Entry to the permanent collection is free and straightforward, with no reservation required, which made it simple to drop in. There are paid special exhibitions, but the main museum itself is open access. Arrival and First Impressions Entry to the building was very easy, and once inside the scale is immediate. The Great Court sets the tone right away, and everything feels larger and more layered than expected. Even just orienting yourself takes a moment because of how expansive the space is. Getting in was smooth and flexible, and the museum handles steady crowds well without ever feeling restrictive, which helped a lot with kids in tow. The Highlights The Egyptian galleries are one of the first moments where the scale really lands. The large stone sculptures and statues are far bigger in person than photos suggest, and they create a dramatic backdrop as you move through the space. The Rosetta Stone was another key highlight. Seeing it in person adds a different level of context, especially knowing its role in unlocking ancient Egyptian writing. It is not large or flashy compared to some of the other artifacts in the room, but it carries a quiet importance that draws attention naturally. The Samurai exhibition was a standout and required a paid entry ticket. It was absolutely worth it. The display of full armor sets, helmets, weapons, and artwork created a complete and visually rich picture of samurai life. The craftsmanship in the armor in particular held everyone's attention far longer than expected, and it felt more immersive than a typical museum exhibit. We also spent time in the hands-on style learning stations, which were a strong break in pace. These included real artifacts like a flint knife that was thousands of years old and a Roman cosmetic jar believed to have been used for eye makeup. Seeing objects like that up close made history feel very tangible for the kids in a way that glass cases alone do not. There is also a family area tucked away downstairs that worked well as a short reset point. It felt quieter and more relaxed, and it gave the kids a chance to decompress before continuing, which made the overall visit more sustainable. The museum works best as a series of short, flexible stops rather than a structured route, and we naturally moved based on interest and energy levels. The Challenges The main challenge is scale. It is very easy to underestimate how large the British Museum is, and even with breaks built in, pacing becomes the key factor in how enjoyable the visit feels. Trying to cover too much quickly would likely be overwhelming, especially for kids. Would We Return Yes, but with a more focused plan and specific sections chosen in advance rather than trying to see everything broadly again. Final Thoughts The British Museum is best experienced in segments rather than as a single continuous visit. The Egyptian galleries, the Rosetta Stone, the Samurai exhibition, and the hands-on artifact stations all offered very different but equally strong experiences. It is free, accessible, and incredibly rich, but the real value comes from slowing down and treating it like a collection of smaller discoveries, with breaks built in, rather than a single museum to "finish."