Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Chipping Barnet

"The British Museum is one of London's top attractions, and absolutely free. It is bursting at the seams with enthralling artefacts from all over the world, from Egyptian mummies to samurai armour and Anglo-Saxon burial treasures to the Rosetta Stone. Remarkably, the 80,000 objects on display at any one time only make up 1% of the eight million objects in the museum’s possession."

"From ancient Assyrian reliefs to columns from the Temple of Artemis – a trip around the British Museum is an experience that transcends time and space. The objects here are some of the world’s most prized artifacts, all carefully displayed in one of the most beautiful museum building in Europe."

"Despite the name, this sprawling building in London’s academic Bloomsbury district is only fleetingly concerned with British history. Instead, it aims to represent the entire sweep of human endeavour, from pre-historic man through Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Absolutely marble-ous!"

"Not just one of the best museums in London but also the world’s largest collection of decorative arts and design, the V&A is comprised of more than 150 separate galleries over seven floors of furniture, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, posters, jewellery, metalwork, glass, textiles, dress, architecture and photography spanning several centuries. Plus it’s home to the beautiful William Morris tearoom and a water-filled courtyard; both excellent spots for a scone break."

"Documenting 5,000 years of art and design, the free Victoria & Albert Museum is the third in the South Kensington museum trilogy. Known to most simply as the V&A, head here for amazing outfits, glittering jewellery, intricate mosaics and ancient sculptures in their constantly changing collection (their new Raphael Court, pictured above, is a gorgeous new addition). 2021 sees the arrival of an unmissable Alice in Wonderland exhibition."

"Harrods, the world famous shopping experience, is a brief walk from the V&A museum. You could also really go museum crazy, and drop in at either the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, both of which are free."

"Tate Modern’s collection of international modern and contemporary art attracts millions of visitors every year eager to discover art movements and artistic practices documented by the permanent collection. This collection includes Pablo Picasso’s vividly powerful Weeping Woman, Salvador Dalí’s brilliantly surreal Lobster Telephone and Mark Rothko’s Seagram murals presented in a specially lit room. Since opening, the expansive Turbine Hall has showcased some major artist commissions, including Olafur Eliasson’s mesmerising The Weather Project and Ai Weiwei’s epic Sunflower Seeds."

"Another gem by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, Bankside B power station was a beacon of modernity when it was constructed in the 1940s as the first oil-fired power station in Britain. The imposing chimney, its defining feature, was restricted to a height of 99m (325ft) so as not to outdo its illustrious neighbour opposite, St Paul’s. After shutting in the 1980s, the power station was resurrected by the relatively unknown Herzog & de Meuron, who won a competition to transform its crumbling shell into the new Tate Modern, which opened in May 2000."

"The Tate Modern is London’s centre for modern and contemporary art. It showcases world-class paintings, photographs and performance art – and it offers stunning views of the River Thames. You can experience all of this completely free."

"Since 1838, the National Gallery at London’s Trafalgar Square has given visitors the chance to enjoy the national collection of Western European painting. Some 2,300 works of art from the 13th to the 19th centuries are housed in the Gallery, and admission is free. A trip to the National Gallery will let you see famous masterpieces, including portraits of notable British monarchs, politicians, and cultural figures, past and present."

"Home to more than 2,000 paintings from the Middle Ages through to the 20th Century, the National Gallery is another museum that’s free to enter. The gallery is open daily between 11am and 6pm, and booking is required in order to limit numbers in the building. Booking can only be done online and in advance."

"Housing a collection of over 2,000 Western European paintings from the middle ages to the 20th century, the National Gallery is a must-see for art lovers."

"A temple to the work of British artists over the past 500 years, with a vast collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, two rooms of Henry Moore sculptures, a free picture library filled with rare and fragile sketches from major artists, and a restaurant with a mural by Rex Whistler. Late at Tate Britain: On the first Friday of every month, Tate Collective Producers curate an evening exploring a different abstract theme, with a little help from DJs, activists, artists and more. Details: Millbank, SW1P 4RG | Free entry | Find out more and book–"

"Tate Britain, which opened its doors in 1897, has a quite incredible collection of art on display in its beautiful riverside building, including paintings by William Blake, John Constable, Whistler and Millais (his iconic painting of Ophelia). It also has the largest number of Turner paintings in the world. A truly wonderful location, and a really first class selection If you want to visit both Tates on the same day, you can take a boat ride from one museum to the other, a much recommended trip in itself."

"While the Tate Modern focuses on more recent art, Tate Britain is all about the past with a big collection of historical British art."

"The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture is a London museum that is home to an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century home decorative arts. The Arts Council England recognized the collection as providing outstanding international value. The MoDA also has the Sir James Maude Richards Library of architectural books on a long-term loan."

"18.2_Installation view of Lee Bul, Willing To Be Vulnerable – Metalized Balloon, 2015-2016 at Hayward Gallery_Lee Bul 2018_Photo by Linda Nylind. The Hayward Gallery is located in the Southbank Centre in central London and belongs to the group of arts venues on the South Bank of the River Thames. The building is another example of brutalist architecture."

"Housed within the brutalist Southbank Centre, the Hayward Gallery is one of London's leading contemporary art galleries. Be captivated by boundary-pushing and thought-provoking shows from some of the world's most adventurous artists, as part of the year-long programme of exhibitions."

"Hayward Gallery is a world-renowned contemporary art gallery and a landmark of Brutalist architecture. Since its inaugural exhibition in 1968, the gallery has presented the work of many of the world’s most influential and inventive artists."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"Leading Victorian artist Frederic (Lord) Leighton lived and worked in this building on the edge of Holland Park, spending 30 years (and…"

"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Clapham. On sunny Saturdays the queue for Nardulli stretches most of the way back to Clapham Common tube station. You won’t find any techy whizz-bangery here: just classic gelati (valrhona chocolate, liquorice, macadamia nut) made the old-fashioned way."

"A cult-favourite in Clapham, Nardulli will always have a queue on sunny days. Thick and creamy, traditional with good quality ingredients – Valhrona chocolate, Tahitian vanilla pods – and free from any ice crystals, you can’t fault the texture or flavours. 29 The Pavement, London SW4 0JE"

"You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by @lovemrssong"

"Nonna’s Gelato began 85 years-ago with owner Sophia’s Italian Nonna, whose Italian heritage combined with her love of seasonal, local produce turned into something beautiful – an Italian and British fusion of gelato. It’s situated in the heart of Broadway Market every Saturday, with 10p of every scoop going to ‘Off Centre’ charity, who offer a counselling and therapy service to young people aged 16 to 25. Location: Broadway Market, Hackney | Also available to purchase at Harringay Local Store, Yardarm, The Blackheath Pantry and The De Beauvoir Deli"

"Sophia Brothers's ice cream creations are inspired by the cooking of her Italian grandmother – or Nonna – and mix the Mediterranean method with British flavours. Among the all-year-round flavours are an award-winning Kentish cobnut, Five Points porter and dark chocolate ripple and salted toffee apple. Nonna's Gelato doesn't have a permanent spot at the moment, but it can currently be found at Broadway Market most Saturdays."

"Nonna’s Gelato is pretty good at keeping its cool, but prepare to get hot under the collar for its exciting flavour combinations. Inspired by her nonna’s (grandmother’s) legendary gelato recipe, owner Sophia serves up the classic Italian dessert with some contemporary twists. Regular flavours include salted toffee apple, Kentish cobnut and a ripple made with dark chocolate and Hackney-hailing Five Points Porter."

"But one thing I can guarantee you is that it serves some mega ice cream flavours and, of course, their famous macaroon ice cream sandwiches!. I can’t promise you that the flavour is always going to be available (best to keep an eye on their Instagram), but the Matcha Oreo ice cream was totally spot on!"

"Ready for the most incredible ice cream sandwich you ever laid eyes on?. It’s time to visit Yolkin in Soho. The macaron ice cream sandwich was invented after Yolkin owner Sammie was fed up of throwing away the yolks when she made macarons."

"You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Macarons & Ice Creams (@yolkinmacice)"

"56 - 58 Essex Road London, N1 8LRItalophiles have yet another reason to visit Islington this summer as new restaurant Latteria opens its doors for dinner following stellar reviews for its breakfast and lunch offering. Inspired by the historic dairy stores and trattorias-turned-restaurants of Milan (where it got its name) the menu is a melting pot of regional Italian cooking: from the ‘pinsa’ style crispy dough of its Roman pizzas, to the traditional Milanese risotto infused with saffron. Highlights include the ever-popular cacio e pepe, served with thick cylinders of maccheroni pasta rather than the usual bucatini or spaghetti, and cheesier and peppery than most versions; the salty, fresh-tasting crab spaghetti with its hint of lemon oil, and the beef tagliata, whose rich rare slices of steak are perfectly complimented by the rocket and parmesan on top."