Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Jockey End

"The Great Court at the British Museum in London|© David Coleman / Alamy Stock Photo. The world’s first national public museum, which has always been free to all “studious and curious persons”, opened its doors in 1753. The impressive Greek Revivalist building, with its imposing colonnades, is a teaser to the 8 million wondrous objects contained within."

"The first thing you need to know about the British Museum is that it is the largest museum in England and also the oldest public museum in the world. It was established in 1753 with its first collection being that of the Irish Scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The Museum was opened to the public in 1759."

"A look at the turbulent and exciting past six decades of American history through the eyes of artists, starting with the pop art explosion right through to the present day. Date: 9th March to 18th June"

"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 10th-floor viewing deck of the Blavatnik Building offers wonderful panoramic views over the Thames and beyond, and the building itself is amazing."

"The former Bankside Power Station was selected as the new gallery site in 1994. The original building, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, was constructed in two phases between 1947 and 1963. Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron were commissioned to convert the building into a gallery, making use of the power station’s iconic oil tanks."

"Sitting grandly on the banks of the Thames is Tate Modern, Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art. Its unique shape is due to it previously being a power station. The gallery's restaurants offer fabulous views across the city."

"It includes all the major attractions (e.g., Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the National Gallery), but also includes several lesser known sites and encourages you to explore several of London’s diverse neighborhoods including Westminster, Greenwich, Kensington, and Camden. We suggest using this itinerary as a starting point for planning your 6 days in London, not as a definitive itinerary, and you can edit it to put together your own personal itinerary that reflects your own needs and interests."

"The National Gallery is the first place to go if you want to see work by some of the most famous artists from history. Nearly seven hundred years of work from the world’s greatest artists can be found here, including Leonardo, Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Vermeer, Rubens – seriously we could go on for a while. A wander from the The Wilton Diptych in the 14th century galleries to Pablo Picasso’s early works is both an intensely pleasant afternoon and a pretty consummate art history lesson."

"Additionally, the Amba just might be the best place to stay in London for walking as numerous attractions – including the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street, and Covent Garden – lie just steps away. Check rates:Booking.com | Hotels.com | Expedia Read reviews:on TripAdvisor"

"London’s West End is pretty good for celeb spotting, but the easiest place to do it is probably at the National Portrait Gallery. It’s home to kings, queens, cultural juggernauts and sporting heroes – all in portrait form, of course – with a collection spanning over five hundred years of painting history. You can find Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in the Tudor galleries, Mary Jane Seacole and the Bronte sisters in the Victorian galleries, right up to Amy Winehouse and the Queen in the contemporary galleries."

"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."

"The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 with a single aim: to gather together portraits of famous (and infamous) Britons throughout…"

"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 Wallace Collection is a London art gallery made up of the collection of the Marquess family. The art all dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries and was gathered by five generations of the Marquesses along with Sir Richard Wallace, who was an illegitimate Marquess son. Today, the collection contains more than five thousand pieces."

"This magnificent neoclassical mansion stands at the northern end of Hampstead Heath in a glorious sweep of landscaped gardens that lead down to a picturesque lake. The 17th-century house was substantially remodelled in the 1760s and rescued from developers by Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, who donated it and the wonderful collection of art it contains to the nation in 1927. Among its treasures are paintings by Rembrandt (one of his many self-portraits), Constable, Gainsborough and Vermeer."

"This largely Palladian villa offers an escape to a gracious country house with a magnificent collection of Old Masters and beautiful…"

"Kings College London only recently opened this permanent site for the Science Gallery, a dedicated space for showing contemporary artwork that explores scientific questions. Its inaugural exhibition is all about addiction, called Hooked, and previous shows in its travelling days have investigated blood, food and orifices. Think of it as looking at science through the eyes of an artist."

"Science Gallery London is an art-science-and-health inspired gallery in London. The free museum has been open since 2018 in London Bridge after a series of pop-up exhibits across London. The gallery aims to bring together scientists, artists, and communities with three themed seasons every year."

"If you find yourself with boisterous kids after insisting on an exhibition at the excellent Courtauld Gallery, simply pop outside and strip off. The courtyard, surrounded by 19th century buildings, contains a lively fountain featuring 55 jets, a terraced cafe and a glorious restaurant if you are feeling flash. Bring the baby and let him/her have a splash around in what can turn into a small paddling pool."

"Every winter, skating at the ice rink in Somerset House is one of the most fun things to do in London. There are several other ice rinks around London (including at the Tower of London and Natural History Museum) but it’s pretty hard to top Somerset House. The courtyard is a great place to spend time in summer too, when th fountains in the courtyard are a great place to splash and cool off."

"London is bursting at the seams with historic architecture, but the neo-classical Somerset House is a true standout. Built in the late 1770s, it’s home to art exhibitions, open-air concerts, and 55 sparking fountains. It’s worth a visit in the winter, too: the courtyard hosts one of the world’s best skating rinks."

"45 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AAThe name ‘Margot’ conjures up several things. Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic character in The Royal Tenenbaums; Princess Margaret’s childhood nickname; and of course, Australian bombshell actress Margot Robbie. What it doesn’t conjure up is an Italian restaurant, so it’s surprising to find one in Covent Garden of that name (the actual origins of the moniker are quite sweet – it’s named for the owner’s mother-in-law, while the sausage dog motif that runs throughout is in reference to her nickname, being a petite lady)."

"Restaurants Italian Covent Garden. If you fancy spoiling someone special with lashings of Covent Garden class, we suggest splashing some serious cash at Margot – a gloriously old-school Italian complete with a behatted doorman, a jazzy crooning soundtrack, flattering lighting and a wealth of brasserie luxe trappings. It’s all about luxuriating in sumptuous vintage glamour, aided by cosseting service, smart food and a dizzying list with more than 350 wines."

"Padella is truly one of London’s greatest gems, but it’s also hard to grab a seat at the best of times. If you want the same exceptional pasta, but with the ability to book a table in advance for a date, sibling restaurant Trullo is for you. The cavernous basement is deeply romantic, the upstairs feels light and familial and the food is universally spectacular."

"Papparadelle with beef shin ragu; Trullo, 300 - 302 St Paul's Road, London N1 2LH, tel 020 7226 2733; www.trullorestaurant.com. Padella is truly one of London’s greatest gems, but it’s also hard to grab a seat at the best of times. If you want the same exceptional pasta, but with the ability to book a table in advance, sibling restaurant Trullo is for you."

"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Piccadilly. The first London outpost of an Italian-based chain, Grom sells gelato come una volta (‘like it used to be’), and their stuff certainly has a very different texture to your usual scoop – extremely creamy and dense, with pure natural flavours up front. The signature serve involves pastry cream and lemon peel, but also try the Italian nougat version, the green pistachio or one of the specials – perhaps ‘caramello al sale’ (caramel and Himalayan pink salt)."

"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 Grom Gelato UK (@gromgelato_uk)"

"This West End spot comes from Jacob Kenedy, the chef behind pasta restaurant Bocca di Lupo (which is across the street), and it’s the Italian larder that gets raided for flavour inspiration. Varieties include espresso, ricotta and sour cherry, tiramisu and Bacio (inspired by the Italian sweet), and gelato is also served inside pastry cannoli bites. Kenedy is such a fan of the stuff that he’s just written and published Gelupo Gelato, a gloriously thorough compendium of ice cream recipes."

"Try every flavour at Gelupo Gelateria, offering true Italian gelato and ice cream available in eight changing flavours each day – a great excuse to keep coming back to try all they have to offer. Keep an eye out for the pistachio flavour."

"This Chinatown spot isn’t the only place doing soft serve in London. But it is one of the only places I’ve found that does excellent soft serve with brown tapioca, and as someone who is very much addicted to boba, it’s a yes from me. There are four flavours of soft serve, vanilla, black sesame, rose lychee, and matcha - which you can choose to have in a taiyaki - a Japanese fish-shaped waffle cone - or in a cup."

"In the buzz of Chinatown’s Newport Court, it can be hard to settle on just one ice cream spot. But sadly, one ice cream is the socially acceptable amount, so if you do pick one, pick this one. This little Japanese dessert shop specialises in taiyako - a fish-shaped cake filled with things like peanut butter and Nutella - which they even fill with things like their rose lychee soft serve."

"Hours:Mon to Fri 1200 – 1500, 1730 – 2300; Sat 1230 – 1530, 1730 – 2300; Sun 1230 – 1530, 1730 – 2230"