Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Belmont

"The British Museum, founded in 1753, was originally consisting almost entirely of the collections from Sir Hans Sloane, who was a physician and scientist. Today, the Museum has a permanent collection of more that eight million items, including works and documents from every corner of the world. It is a great opportunity for kids to know more about the history and cultures of the world through the many themed departments including: Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan, Department of Greece and Rome, Department of the Middle East, Department of Asia, Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, and many others."

"When the British Museum was opened in 1759 it was the first free to enter national museum to be open to the public anywhere in the world. The first exhibits consisted of the collection of physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane – ancient coins and medals, books and natural remains. Over the centuries it has become home to the most significant finds made by British explorers, like the Rosetta Stone from Ancient Egypt and the Parthenon sculpture from the Acropolis in Athens."

"No visit to London would be complete without a trip to the British Museum. It’s home to over 8 million artefacts, including the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Marbles. There are so many things to see in this museum that even a full day spent here will barely scratch the surface."

"No design nerd’s visit to London would be complete without a trip to the V&A Museum. You could potentially spend a week roaming its 145 galleries and still not see everything; the permanent collection alone includes over 2.3 million objects spanning some 5,000 years. Those visiting in the month of September are in for an additional treat, as the museum becomes a hub for the London Design Festival and plays host to installations by both established and emerging designers."

"Nearest c2c station: Fenchurch Street change for TFL services. Art and fashion lovers should make a beeline for the V&A, one of the best free museums in London and indeed, among the world’s top centres for breathtaking art. Some 150 galleries show off ceramics, sculpture, glass, textiles, furniture and more, the sheer amount of excellent work almost intimidating."

"Known to all as the V&A, this huge museum is devoted to the applied arts of all disciplines, all periods, and all nationalities."

"Located in what was once Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the Thames, Tate Modern is one of the city's most loved attractions. You can enjoy the permanent collection, which includes works by Pollock, Warhol, Matisse and Picasso, for free. The upstairs cafe has wonderful Thames views, and the building itself is amazing."

"Tate Modern holds the national collection of British art from 1900 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art. Tate Modern is actually one of the largest art galleries on the planet and one of the most important modern art museums in the world."

"Giles Gilbert Scott (1963), Herzog & de Meuron (2000, 2016)📕 Page 199. Before the National Theatre was erected, the south bank was a polluted and horrible place. Factories pestered an already problematic area, historically known for its prisons and brothels."

"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."

"This classical gallery was opened in 1897 and is home to iconic British art from the 16th century to the present day, including works by the Pre-Raphaelites, J. M. W. Turner, Henry Moore and William Blake. The Tate Boat runs between the Tate Modern and the Tate Britain every 40 minutes, taking you through the heart of the city. Get a spot on the outdoor deck for the best views of both sides of the river."

"This angle in Tate Britain is taken from a members lounge, but if you ask nicely they may let you up. Even if you don’t get to this exact angle this museum still has lots of other aesthetic architecture you could take photographs of. Best time for pics: DayCost: TicketedLocation: Tate Britain, Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RG"

"Over in Westminster, Tate Britain focuses on British art from 1500 to the present day. It has everything from historic portraits to impressive sculptures on display. Tate Britain is a great place to get a feel for the UK’s domestic art scene and how it’s evolved over time."

"Before Google or Wikipedia, the British came here to put a face to the names of famous historical figures from the country's history. As such, the paintings are prized more for their subjects rather than their artists. Highlights include portraits of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth II, the latter courtesy of pop art sensation Andy Warhol."

"Just behind the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery is another of the best museums in London. Not only was it the world’s first portrait gallery, but it also holds the most extensive collection of portraits globally. As the name implies, the National Portrait Gallery is home to a collection of portraits of historically important and renowned British people."

"A post shared by National Portrait Gallery (@nationalportraitgallery). In art, there’s nothing more intimate than a portrait, and at this landmark London art gallery, you can get intimate with some very famous faces. From Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II, The National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of the United Kingdom’s most important monarchs."

"Originally home to one of London’s largest fruit and vegetable markets, Covent Garden now broadly refers to the West London district famous for its high-end shopping, theatres, entertainment complexes, and the Royal Opera House of London."

"The Barbican Centre is London’s prime venue for the arts – home to the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Barbican also hosts an Art Gallery with regularly updated exhibitions and a public library with a fantastic collection to browse. The Barbican Centre © Flickr damo1977"

"This indoor haven contains tropical plants, trees, birdlife and over 2000 species of exotic fish. Under the safety of its glass roof, you can (almost) pretend that you’re on a romantic getaway in a faraway country. Hidden behind the leafy shrubbery, it’s easy for the two of you to hold hands and wander around uninterrupted."

"From acclaimed architects to Turner prize-winning artists, as well as stars of design and photography, the Barbican Art Gallery presents major exhibitions by leading international figures. You should also check out the Barbican's Curve, home to an exciting series of new art commissions created for the space."

"There are now 3 Amused venues in London, one in Soho, another in Camden, and the third in Covent Garden downstairs in the Australian themed pub, 'Walkabout'. This perhaps tells you a little about the kind of comedy they put on. The group also run comedy courses for beginners and absolute beginners for anyone hoping to get in on the act."

"Rich Mix allows creativity in all its magnificent forms – live music, theatre, poetry, film, art, design and drawing, so it’s a little distinct from the other places on the list, but the charity behind the cross-media arts centre, The Rich Mix Cultural Foundation, has a pretty inspiring goal. And that’s to offer the public space to discover more about the creative offerings of people from various migrant populations. Since taking over the former clothing factory on Bethnal Green Road, Rich Mix has put on many free exhibitions, screenings and concerts."

"This fantastic creative space in the East End, on the site of what used to be in a leather factory, has regular exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists. 39-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA Free entryrichmix.org.uk"

"London’s best nordic bun is a fiercely contested title: Nordic Bakery, Fabrique, and Pavilion may make fine laminated offerings, but this Soho arrival from Edinburgh has proven it has the consistency to wrench the title away from Fabrique’s Hoxton arch. Like its competitor, cardamom and cinnamon are the strongest and cardamom is the clear winner, with less of an emphasis on caramel shards at the base but more fragrant spicing and lightness of chew in the bake, where it truly matters."

"Swedish bakery Soderberg made a name for themselves in their hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland and have now migrated South to London’s Soho. They offer authentically Swedish food including open sandwiches, cakes and of course no Scandi cafe would be complete without a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Catch them out of the oven when they are warm and squidgy."

"Parsnip cake full of grated parsnip, candied orange peel and vanilla, plus one single layer of cream cheese frosting and chopped almonds on top. It’s wholesome and moist like carrot cake, but sweeter, a little citrusy and far more interesting. 36 Berwick St, London W1F 8RR"

"It's not always easy to pinpoint why some coffee shops end up becoming your favourite spot while others don't – sometimes it's because that's where you happened to go for a coffee after you'd slept with your partner for the very first time, other times it's because that's where you happened to go for a coffee after you'd slept with your partner for the very last time. Regardless, there's a few coffee shops in London that just feel right. Stone Bros is one of those places."