Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Big Ben

"Displaying one of the world's finest collections of antiquities, the British Museum contains more than 13 million artifacts from the ancient world. With priceless objects from Assyria, Babylonia, China, Europe, and elsewhere, it's hard to know where to begin. But most tourists head first for the museum's most famous exhibits: the controversial Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, the colossal bust of Ramesses II, the Egyptian mummies, and the spectacular hoard of 4th-century Roman silver known as the Mildenhall Treasure."

"The gargantuan British Museum houses treasures such as the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies, and is a great rainy day activity in London. However, when the sun shines, the photo opportunities are even better. Best shot: Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, the covered atrium designed by Foster and Partners."

"Its permanent collection numbers more than 8 million pieces, spanning human history and culture from its ancient beginnings right up to modern times. The British Museum © Flickr WWarby"

"While most London art galleries focus on the medium of painting, The V&A is crowned as the world’s largest museum of applied and decorative arts. In fact, it exhibits a 2.27 million-piece-collection of textiles, jewellery, costumes, furniture, ceramics, sculptures, and more, spanning 5,000 years from all corners of the Earth. The diversity of The V&A serves as a beautiful (and sometimes much-needed) reminder that art is everywhere you look, intrinsically entwined with history and culture."

"V&A South Kensington is the world's greatest museum of art and design, with collections unrivaled in their scope and diversity. Discover 3000 years' worth of amazing artifacts from many of the world's richest cultures including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewelry, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings which makes it one of the most interesting museums in London."

"The Victoria & Albert Museum is across the street from the Natural History and Science Museums in South Kensington. It’s one of the top museums in London, and one of the best museums in the world dedicated to the applied and decorative arts. The building housing this amazing collection is rather special too."

"If you prefer contemporary art to classical works, head to the Tate Modern on the south bank of the River Thames instead, another of London’s top free galleries. The Tate Modern is Britain’s national gallery of international modern art, housing a huge collection of contemporary artworks from 1900 to the present day, with artists including Picasso, DalÍ­ and Warhol. You can also pop into the public restaurant and bar on floors 9 and 10 of Tate which has some of the most fantastic free views over the Londonskyline."

"The former power station converted into a museum features the very best of contemporary and modern art from Picasso to Warhol as well as sculpture and photography. Highlight include the drawing bar on level one, the Turbine hall where kids can run, the viewing platform on level 10 and many interactive family trails and activities. TIP: look for some yellow shirts as they are special family guides and check Tate website as there are always family event that come up."

"As entwined with the art world as paint, no list of London galleries would be complete without one incarnation of the Tate. Without a doubt the art giant of London, the Tate Modern is home to all things contemporary and unique and always worth a visit. “When my daughter Coco was born, we visited Tate Modern 11 times in her first 6 months!"

"Located in a beautiful Grade I listed Neoclassical building on the edge of Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery is one of London’s most important art galleries and is completely free to visit. The museum contains over 2,300 works from between the mid-13th century to 1900, with famous pieces by artists including Michelangelo, Velázquez, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Monet and Van Gogh."

"Home to one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, The National Gallery contains a “who’s who” of art icons – from Titian and Turner to Van Dyck and Van Gogh. This iconic gallery on Trafalgar Square also features blockbuster exhibitions: past shows have included Gaugin Portraits and Monet & Architecture."

"The National Gallery is the jewel in the crown of London’s Trafalgar Square. This impressive neoclassical building houses paintings from the mid-13th century to 1900. There’s art from all over Europe here, and every period from the Italian Renaissance to the Impressionist era is well represented."

"Sister gallery to the Tate Modern is the Tate Britain, a bastion of British art. Sporting old-world marble floors, spiral staircases, and Grecian columns, the Tate Britain is a veritable temple of British art from 1500 to today. Get swept away by the world’s largest collection of stormy and atmospheric Turner oil paintings and a considerable assemblage of the most ethereal and romantic Pre-Raphaelite portraits of mythical and literary characters."

"Another member of the Tate group, Tate Britain is actually older than the larger and better-known Tate Modern, dating all the way back to 1897. While the Tate Modern holds international modern artwork, Tate Britain is now dedicated to historical and contemporary British art. Nearest tube station: Pimlico."

"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 Bankside Gallery in London was opened in 1980 by Her Majesty, the Queen. The public gallery, located near the Thames, houses the Royal Watercolour Society and Royal Society of Painter Printmakers. The gallery displays rotating exhibits focused on modern watercolours and prints."

"The House of Dreams Museum is the vision of London art director Steven Wright, who has lived in the East Dulwich home since 1982. He began to turn it into a museum in the late 90s. It serves as a shrine to his dead parents and partner."

"Art fans were a very happy bunch when the Hayward Gallery reopened its doors in early 2018 after two years off, and were even happier when things kicked off with an exhibition by large scale photographer Andreas Gursky. The Brutalist building focuses largely on contemporary art with the occasional nod to its modernist roots, and its exhibition programme is diverse as group shows on gender identity and retrospectives on major artists like Bridget Riley. Southbank Centre, 337-338 Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, southbankcentre.co.uk"

"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."

"This museum is one of the most atmospheric and fascinating in London. The Georgian building was the beautiful, bewitching home of architect Sir John Soane (1753–1837), which he bequeathed to the nation through an Act of Parliament on condition that it remain untouched after his death and free to visit. It's brimming with Soane's vast collection of art and archaeological purchases, as well as intriguing personal effects and curiosities. The house-museum represents his exquisite and eccentric tastes, persuasions and proclivities."

"Sir John (1753–1837), architect of the Bank of England, bequeathed his eccentric house to the nation on one condition: that nothing…"

"While certainly known within London’s gallery scene, the Saatchi Gallery, located in London’s posh Chelsea neighborhood, is not usually featured among London’s top gallery recommendations. However, I absolutely loved this place when I visited on my most recent trip to London. The building itself is gorgeous, and I appreciate that the Saatchi Gallery takes special pride in jump-starting the careers of otherwise little-known modern artists."

"Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery is all about contemporary art, with work by young artists or international artists rarely exhibited in the UK. It will be renamed the Museum of Contemporary Art, London upon the retirement of owner Charles Saatchi, who has donated the gallery's collection to the nation."

"Charles Saatchi opened it in 1985 to exhibit his collection to the public. After having occupied different premises in North London, then the South Bank by the River Thames, the gallery is now located in Chelsea."

"Fulham Palace is a site dedicated to tracing its own history. Items found on the palace's grounds date all the way back to prehistoric times; the archaeological finds are part of the museum's impressive collection of artifacts and objects. The site has been a residence of the Bishops of London since 704 and played a major role as a hospital during World War I and a refugee spot during World War II."

"A beautiful open garden, glasshouses, flowers in bloom, and brick walls, all in a place less visited by tourists which make for one great location for a photo shoot or a private event. And if you’re looking for some diversity, just walk a few steps out of Fulham Palaceand you’re right on the shore of river Thames."

"Alternatively, if you are not interested in visiting Camden, you could try visiting two of the recommended morning attractions (e.g., Windsor Castle and Kew Gardens). You’ll need to use public transit to reach the morning attractions and to get to Camden but the attractions in Camden are all within walking distance."

"Enter the Royal Botanic Gardens, as Kew Gardens are officially known, and you are enveloped by blazes of color, extraordinary blooms,…"

"Founded in 1840, using plants from Kew Park in Middlesex, Kew Gardens is one of the largest and lushest botanic gardens in the world."

"The 17th-century home of King George III, who preferred the countryside to the urban St James's Palace. Today only the building known as the Dutch House remains, however it is kept in immaculate condition."

"The King George III summer home, Kew Palace is one of London’s lesser-known royal residences and is the oldest building in the Gardens, built in 1631 for a Flemish merchant, Samuel Fortrey."

"From a whole menu dedicated to meat-free sides to their garlic chilli paneer, there's no holding back on vegetarian food at Mint Leaf Lounge. Join them for sumptuous Indian plates in a slat-up, City of London setting."

"Cuisine: IndianHalal Options: Halal Lamb and Chicken optionsAddress: 1B Suffolk Pl, London, SW1Y 4HX Website: https://www.mintleaflondon.com/Nearest Tube Stop: Charing Cross"

"Restaurants Italian Covent Garden. Eating in this grand Covent Garden offshoot of Petersham Nurseries in Richmond feels a bit like dining alfresco – what with the palm trees in massive pots, the posies of flowers on each table and the general air of light and space. But the Petersham also has a splendid courtyard for that genuine outdoor vibe – complete with even more trees, plant-filled urns and other horticultural paraphernalia."

"When it comes to outdoor restaurants in Covent Garden, Petersham Nurseries is one of the prettiest. Tucked away near the iconic market, the gorgeous spot is ideal for Italian food, great wines and weekend lunches whether with mates or a date."

"‘Come hungry, leave wobbly’ is the slogan of this restaurant and bar. Starting out as a humble food truck selling burgers in South London, Meat Liquor have grown into a full chain with restaurants across London, selling not just their famous burgers, but a range of exciting cocktails, chilli dogs, buffalo wings and other American favourites. Sticking close to their roots, their King’s Cross branch is based in a repurposed tram shed, slinging burgers out of a life size replica train."

"Restaurants Burgers Marylebone. Meat and liquor (duh) are the speciality here, with graffiti on the walls and a burger menu that helped kickstart London’s dude food scene. Home of the iconic Dead Hippie burger (two french mustard fried patties smothered in trade-marked sauce), the big surprise is that it’s the buffalo chicken burger that will change your life."

"Burgers , Diner"

"Another Brixton Village restaurant, Kamome is also offering a delivery via Deliveroo and Just Eat. Kamome’s Japanese menu includes plenty of sushi and noodles, plus donburi, and katsu curry. Further information can be found on the restaurant’s website."

"This friendly all-day Dalston café bills itself as a modern greasy spoon and has perfected the art of curing hangovers – thanks to its devotion to hash browns and all things porky. Its quirky brunch dishes (available Tuesday to Sunday) strike the perfect balance between wholesomeness and the restorative powers of fried bacon – although they also sneak in a surprising amount of veg, from kale to homemade beans. The ‘Posh Pig’ muffin is particularly good, and the vegetarian options are genuinely decent, too."