Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Elmstead

"Home to ancient cultural treasure and amazing artifacts from around the world, London’s finest museum is free to visit (although certain special exhibitions are paid). Far from a hushed old-fashioned museum experience, as soon as you walk in you’ll be awed by the great glass-roofed ceiling and caught up in the buzz of students and tourists enjoying the exhibits. There are daily free activities for kids, too, including crafts, activity trails and digital workshops – perfect for homework projects."

"The Museum of Manufactures, as the V&A was known when it opened in 1852, was part of Prince Albert’s legacy to the nation in the aftermath of the successful Great Exhibition of 1851. It houses the world's largest collection of decorative arts, from Asian ceramics to Middle Eastern rugs, Chinese paintings, Western furniture, fashion from all ages and modern-day domestic appliances. The (ticketed) temporary exhibitions are another highlight, covering anything from David Bowie retrospectives to designer Alexander McQueen, special materials and trends."

"The V&A focuses on art and design as well as sculpture, housing a permanent collection of over 2.27 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. For teens who are interested in fashion, and particularly the design and creative side of things is a must-see."

"The V&A is the world’s largest collection of art and design with over 4.5 million objects. Explore 5000 years of creativity from ancient Chinese ceramics to Alexander McQueen dresses."

"This former oil-fired power station sits smugly in the center of the South Bank, knowing that you’re interested in what’s going on inside. It’s filled to the rafters with paintings and sculptures by the likes of Picasso, Dali, Warhol, and Rothko, all set off perfectly by that gritty industrial interior. Of the current ticketed shows, The Making of Rodin (until November 21, tickets around $22) is a must examining the master sculptor’s more experimental side and his use of plaster, featuring over 200 works on loan from the Musée Rodin that haven’t been seen outside of France until now."

"For those who prefer more contemporary art to classical works, head to the Tate Modern on the south bank of the River Thames. Located inside of the former Bankside Power Station, the Tate Modern is Britain’s national gallery of international modern art, housing a huge collection of contemporary and modern artwork from 1900 to the present day, with artists including Picasso, DalÍ­, Pollock and Warhol. The Tate Modern is the most visited art museum in Britain and the second most visited museum in the UK after the British Museum."

"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."

"Set in London’s busiest open space, Trafalgar Square, this is the grandmother of galleries with more than 2,300 paintings spanning the 13th to the 19th centuries: Heavyweights include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Velazquez's Rokeby Venus, and Constable’s six-foot long The Hay Wain. It gets packed at weekends, but its so large that you can usually find a quiet corner. You can download an audio tour covering the museum's highlights, but you can also curate your own by selecting the paintings you want to see before you arrive."

"Housing masterpieces by painters including van Gogh, Renoir, da Vinci and Michelangelo, the National Gallery is home to one of the world’s most impressive art collections, and sees over six million visitors every year. Avoid the hordes by visiting on weekday mornings or Friday evenings. Whatever time you go, the permanent collections are always free."

"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."

"Founded by sugar merchant Sir Henry Tate – who also founded the other Tate galleries – the Tate Britain is a wonderful museum to visit, with lots of fantastic British artwork on show. With a huge catalog of work from contemporary times all the way back to the 1500’s, the Tate Britain’s masterpieces include works by William Blake, Francis Bacon, and J.M.W. Turner, among others. Housed on the banks of the Thames, wandering around the exhibitions and galleries is a lovely way to spend the day."

"The oldest of the country’s network of Tate galleries, and one of two in London, the Tate Britain is the home of British Art from 1500 to present day. Its miraculous dome and grand, porticoed entranceway set the scene for what is sure to be a splendid afternoon exploring British history through art. And you’ll often find this beautiful building boasting works of art inside and out – see its most recent transformation into a beautiful winter temple!"

"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 Cinema Museum in London was founded in the 1980s by Ronald Grant and Martin Humphries. Grant and Humphries filled the museum with objects from their private collection of cinema memorabilia. The museum is housed in the workhouse where Charlie Chaplin lived during his childhood."

"London’s Cinema Museum is devoted to keeping alive the spirit of cinema from the days before the multiplex. Admission is only via joining one of their regular guided tours, which costs £10."

": Probably the most popular museum in south London, the Horniman Museum has a little bit of everything. There are stunning views overlooking the city from it’s grounds, which are home to to hundreds of plants and the conservatory, which is over 100 years old. Moving inside, there are natural history, musical instrument and social culture galleries, with items taken from all over the world."

"The Horniman Museum, founded in 1901, has around six hectares (16 acres) of gardens to explore, plus daily free activities for children. It also houses dozens of family-friendly exhibits, including the Nature Base, which features live animals; a hands-on display that lets kids touch museum pieces; and an aquarium with 15 exhibits of environments from around the world."

"The Horniman Museum is one of London’s most child friendly museums set in 16 acres of landscaped gardens. It’s close to Forest Hill overground station. From central London the journey time is 30-40 minutes."

"Maidstone Museum a local authority-run museum located in Maidstone, Kent, England, featuring internationally important collections including fine art, natural history, and human history. Maidstone Museum is situated 500 metres northwest of The Mall Maidstone. Photo: Storye book, CC BY 3.0."

"Katharina Grosse, 'This Drove my Mother up the Wall', 2017|© Andy Keate. Known for its cutting-edge exhibitions, installations and live art and film events, SLG, which dates back to the 19th century, showcases established British and international figures, as well as emerging artists. In 2016, Gabriel Orozco redesigned the gallery’s rear garden, and in September 2018, SLG expanded across the road into the Fire Station, a converted Grade II-listed Victorian building that provided additional galleries, education rooms, a community kitchen and an archive space."

"What we love about South London Gallery (SLG), a contemporary yet historic art space in Peckham, is that it endeavours to ‘bring art to the people of South London’. Not only does it do this by showing work from never-before-exhibited artists; it hosts educational and immersive art workshops for young people and adults too. Although the gallery is based in its original Peckham Road building, SLG has spread its wings into the old Peckham fire station, and Sceaux Gardens estate, a local artist-designed garden called Art Block for families to enjoy."

"With a reputation for its programme of contemporary art exhibitions, film and performance events, the South London Gallery is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art space. Over the past decade the South London Gallery has featured solo exhibitions by established international figures, as well as those by younger and mid-career artists."

"A subterranean sanctuary in the heart of central London, The Lanesborough Club & Spa offers a moment of calm away from the city's hectic hustle and bustle. After navigating your way through several corridors and around many corners, you'll find a hidden world of bliss that brings together marble floors, silk touches and brass accents. The luxury begins from the offset with spacious changing rooms featuring a Spa Butler while other amenities include a hydro-therapy pool with loungers, separate male and female sauna and steam rooms, a spa treatment lounge, and five treatment rooms including one double room."

"The Lanesborough Hotel’s swanky spa in Knightsbridge offers fantastic facilities (and some of the most ‘grammable changing rooms we’ve seen), but it’s open to members only (aside from hotel guests). Membership costs from £3,500/year or £300/month, plus a joining fee from £1,000. Inside, there’s a vast gym with every machine you can think of; a cold mist, mint-infused “shower,” to cool you down post-workout; thermal suites and hydrotherapy pools to unwind in; as well as a dedicated parlour offering top notch manis."

"The award-winning spa at The Lanesborough is undoubtedly one of the most lavish in the city. A subterranean oasis of calm, it houses a vast gym, hydro pool, saunas and steam rooms, as well as its own food and drink offering centered around nutritionally rich dishes that promote inner health. There are three spa day options at The Lanesborough Club & Spa, ranging from a three-hour session to a full day of treatments."

"Named after the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, whose impressive work to the taxonomic rank helped communicate our understanding of who we are, and how we as individuals fit into the world surrounding us, Linnaean is a spot that’s on one hell of a health kick. Fused together through a love for health, beauty and lifestyle, all of your girlie needs are catered for here, from the health-driven cafe, natural beauty treatments, to a little lifestyle boutique for all of your self-pampering needs. Unlike most ‘Instagrammable’ venues, Linnaean manages to deliver on all accounts and ticks all of your interior goals as soon as you step inside."

"It's not often can you have pancakes under the same roof as a spa offering manicures, blow-dries, express glow facials and massages. But that’s exactly that kind of luxury treatment on offer at London’s recently-opened Linnaean. As well as offering some of the finest beauty treatments in the capital (it’s interiors alone are enough to have your Instagram feed sorted for weeks), Linnaean’s restaurant offers a plant-rich menu including a variety of vegan and gluten-free pancakes."

"One of London's prettiest restaurants, The Linnaean Cafe is a pastel-hued, floral-clad beauty in Battersea. With biodynamic wines and a range of brunch, lunch and dinner menus filled with mouthwatering vegan dishes, this place is sure to please."

"They say: 'Kipferl is based on the Viennese coffeehouse, where the kitchen is open all day and you can sit on your own with a 'kleiner Brauner' and a piece of cake... Through our online shop we are offering the finest Austrian cakes, wines & more for delivery in London and all over the UK.'. The sweet stuff: We love this Angel cafe, and are delighted they're now offering their cakes to all of London via delivery."

"Austria’s Emperor Franz Joseph was partial to pancakes, which he liked chopped up, sprinkled with icing sugar and served with fruity bits. It’s tricky to find his Kaiserschmarrencreation outside his homeland, but it’s on the menu at cosy Kipferl alongside raisins and apple compote. The menu and décor are Austrian themed, but stylishly so: less Sound of Music, more mid-century ski lodge."

"When the bustling streets get a little too much, nip into Kipferl to pick up your Austrian classics en route to work. The pastries and tarts are rich but not too sweet. Practice saying ‘sachertorte’ and ‘apfelstrudel’ before you go in!"

"Using proper Sardianian ingredients this place is a perfect blend of authentic Italian and fun British ice cream - the gelo buns (ice cream filled brioche buns) sound incredible. As well as cones and cups you can get waffles, ice cream cakes and frozen yogurt. Get MyLondon news with Alexa"

"Have a trawl through the wonders of Borough Market and end up at Tanner & Co, an impossibly charming restaurant and bar offering a warm welcome to all the family. Nothing but the best ingredients go into these hearty, comforting dishes, and there's a tasty (and healthy) children's menu for the little ones. After a long day on your feet with the kids; you've definitely earned one of their signature Bermondsey Street Bootleg cocktails."

"Styled like a vintage school gymnasium (complete with ropes and wooden pommel horses), Tanner & Co is one of Bermondsey's quirkier spots. And while the inside is a feast for the eyes, the outdoor terrace is also not to be missed - adorned with pretty festoon lighting and colourful furnishings."

"Next I would take some time to appreciate two of London’s most famous bridges, the London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Both bridges have exhibitions you can visit, although in terms of time I would choose to visit only one exhibition or just admire them both from the outside."

"Well-known for its child-friendly atmosphere, parents can sit back and enjoy their family experience here. Just two minutes from Piccadilly Circus, the restaurant is perfect for a pre or post- theatre dinner with the children. The menu is sure to please the kids, with favourites from pizza to pasta and burgers dominating the menu."

"Inspired by Hollywood glamour, Planet Hollywood aims to make you feel like a star. The London location, in Haymarket by Piccadilly Circus, is full of memorabilia from the biggest blockbusters, including Rocky. Take in the glitzy surroundings and dine on all the American favourites from juicy burgers to Buffalo wings."

"With themed rooms, a huge cocktail bar and classic movie memorabilia, Planet Hollywood London is always a fun choice for a meal out."