Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Farringdon

"The British Museum in London holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures. Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in existence, spanning two million years of human history. Access to the collection is free."

"Inside the British Museum, you’ll find Europe’s largest covered public square. Named The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, it encompasses two-acres and is enclosed by a magnificent glass roof. It looks just as cool swarming with tourists as it does without, so anytime is ideal for snapping shots."

"Arguably the world's best decorative arts museum, the V&A , as it's generally known, has been open for over 150 years and contains an incredible 4.5 million items. The first floor focuses on Asian (Japanese swords, ancient Chinese ceramics) and some European art, including plaster casts made from Michelangelo's David (note the fig leaf created in the 19th century to protect the sensibilities of Victorian visitors). The Ardabil Carpet in the Middle East-focused Jameel Gallery is the world's oldest, dating from Iran in the 1500s."

"The V&A is already the doyenne of London’s design museums, but 2018 saw a huge focus on photography at the South Kensington venue. As part of the V&A’s considerable expansion plan, a new Photography Centre was added to its artistic arsenal in October 2018, housing the 270,000 photographs acquired from the Royal Photographic Society collection. This new haul includes some of the earliest examples of photography from the 1820s, right up to works by contemporary photographers including Martin Parr and Sir Don McCullin."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Now you can cross the Millennium Bridge, a popular pedestrian bridge, to reach the Tate Modern, the largest international modern art gallery in the UK. The museum’s location is unusual as it is based in a former power station building. The museum displays both a permanent collection as well as several temporary exhibitions throughout the year."

"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."

"» National Gallery in London exhibits about 2,300 paintings, representing the European art from the mid-13th to the early 20th century in chronological order. Here are all the best artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Van Gogh, Turner, Cezanne and others. » National Gallery was established in May 1824."

"Located on the former site of the Millbank prison, Tate Britain offers one of the most comprehensive collections of historical British art from 1500 to the present day. Founded by Sir Henry Tate, of global sugar brand Tate & Lyle, the striking Neoclassical gallery boasts the world’s largest collection of works by JMW Turner as well as impressive pieces by William Hogarth, William Blake, Angelica Kauffman, John Constable, Richard Dadd, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. The gallery is located on the River Thames, and you can take a scenic ride on the Tate Boat to its sister gallery, Tate Modern."

"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"

"First opened in 1897, and funded by the sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate, this stately neoclassical institution may not be as ambitious as…"

"The Horniman Museum is a brilliant London museum for kids located in Forest Hill, South London. This museum features a natural history gallery with a large collection of taxidermy, a musical instrument gallery, an aquarium with 15 exhibits (with ticket purchase) and a calendar of special exhibitions and events. The famous Horniman walrus that has been on display in the museum for over a century, sits in the middle of the natural history gallery with a large collection of taxidermy, skeletons and fossils."

"More than a century old and dedicated to anthropology and natural wonders, this family-friendly south London museum delights with stunning exhibits, and is a popular venue for workshops, events and festivals. Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill is one of south London's best hidden gems. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"The Hackney Museum is a local London history museum located in Hackney. Its collection of more than 8,000 different objects is dedicated to exploring the history of Hackney with a special emphasis on immigration, ranging from Anglo-Saxon settlers to early Victorian times and more recent refugees and migrants."

"Located within the heart of the city, surrounded by buzzy shops, cobbled streets and just a short walk from the Cathedral, the St Albans Museum & Gallery is the city’s arts and cultural hub, presenting an eclectic array of traditional and contemporary artworks spanning the past 2,000 years. Explore the exhibitions, discover the historic building’s history and delight in tea and scones in the Courtroom café. stalbansmuseums.org.uk"

"Not so much a gallery as an art-filled time portal, this considerable collection of 18th and 19th century fine art and design at Hertford House is the work of Sir Richard Wallace and his ancestors. Paintings in the collection include works by Rembrandt, Fragonard, Rubens, Canaletto, Velazquez and the wonderful Laughing Cavalier by Franz Hals. Hertford House, Manchester Square, Mayfair, W1U 3BN, wallacecollection.org"

"The Wallace Collection is a national museum which exhibits art collections that were compiled by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and the illegitimate son of the fourth Marquess, Sir Richard Wallace. In 1897, Lady Wallace, the widow of the late Sir Richard Wallace, handed the museum to the British Nation. The museum is housed in the historic Hertford House located in Manchester Square, Westminster."

"The best thing about Southbank Centre Market is its location right by some of London’s major attractions and overlooking the Thames. If you’re booked on the London Eye or going to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament on the right day, you can visit the market as an added bonus to your trip. There are two markets which focus on food and books."

"Southbank Centre Food Market is a weekend market every Friday to Sunday on Southbank Centre Square behind the Royal Festival Hall. This market features more than 40 producers in confectionary, spices, fresh meat, and more. The scenery here is lovely, and after visiting the market you can stroll along the Thames with your chosen treat."

"For me, the added touch of the pomegranate seeds took this Indian street food to another level of flavour and texture. Since London is known for its great Indian food, Horn Ok Please is a great place to grab a taste of it. While Indian restaurants offer a ton of options, this food stall simplifies your choices to a few great dishes."

"Housed in a cavernous space minutes from Liverpool Street station, Old Spitalfields’ rejuvenation saw it transformed from a tired trader hub to a bustling destination and shoppers’ idyll. Unlike many other London markets, it’s open every day – with a changing roster of traders that guarantees no two visits are exactly the same. On Thursdays, antiques lovers descend for the Old Spitalfields Antique Market, when you should go early for the widest selection."

"Amidst all the donut shops following the designerdonut trend, Crosstown Donuts qualifies as one of the best. With flavours ranging from sea salt caramel banana to creme brûlée, they really can do no wrong. Oh, and their donut-to-cream filling ratio makes every bite the right amount of messy and delicious."

"Explore this covered market in east London that sells everything from clothes to food and artwork. Old Spitalfields Market is full of cutting-edge fashion and accessories; whether from designer brands or independent boutiques. You'll also find specialist shops, street food and restaurants nearby."

"As pretty as a box of luxury chocolates, Matsuba is all dark wood and subtle light panels, with a discreet sushi bar, vintage Japanese parasols dotted around and quietly polite waiters. The menu trawls through the full Japanese repertoire from tempura to tonkatsu, but also expect a smattering of Korean dishes including bulgogi and bibimbap. Affluent Richmond locals appreciate Matsuba’s very decent wine list too."

"Restaurants Snack bars Soho. They say: ‘When baking bread is your passion, it’s a short but gratifying leap into the endlessly creative realm of cakes, brownies, cookies and madeleines.’. The sweet stuff:A big ol’ range, running the gamut from lemon drizzle cakes and sour cherry chocolate scones to shortbreads and biscuits."

"You can find GAIL's in numerous different locations, but the King’s Road one makes the list simply for its classic black shop front that reminds us of a Victorian apothecary. Its cinnamon buns are a little crispier than the traditional soft dough kanelbulle but still delicious, and their chocolate pecan brownies are possibly the best in London. Various locations; gailsbread.co.uk"

"GAIL’s is extremely popular among the London crowd, and it’s easy to see why. One of the best desserts in London is the gorgeous Lemon & Rose cake. It is quite small for the price you pay, but the flavors are unbeatable."

"Round the corner from Victoria station you’ll find Rail House Café, nestled within the buzzing Sir Simon Milton Square. The offspring of Fitzrovia’s Riding House Café, this trendy spot is a large and airy space with industrial chic interiors, partly inspired by the concept of a bustling metropolitan station. Brunch options accommodate both health-conscious diners and those after something more indulgent: there’s house muesli and granola, but there’s also buttermilk pancakes with triple-smoked streaky bacon and maple syrup."

"Village London know how to put a looker of a restaurant together, they've done it in the shape of Riding House Cafe, but we're looking to Nova Victoria for another beaut. From rattan chairs and elegant bar stools to dim lighting and banquet dining, Rail House Cafe is a fun and tasteful mix of textures propped up by an international menu."

"A modern cafe and bar in Victoria, London serving healthy choices for every day and weekend naughty comforts. It’s our go-to brunch spot for a good shakshuka, smashed avocado or Burgerdict. A poached egg with a dry-aged beef patty with special hollandaise and tomato in a muffin."

"This independent café and espresso bar is directly inspired by Australia and New Zealand’s thriving coffee culture and owner Peter Dore-Smith’s time working in the Melbourne hospitality scene. Hit up Kaffeine for a silky smooth flat white or one of the finest cortados in the whole of London but don’t forget to grab a chewy, buttery ANZAC biscuit for the road. They’re dangerously addictive and the perfect partner for a well-made brew."