Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Perivale

"Egyptian mummies, Roman treasure hoards, golden Buddhas, African masks and much, much more... even the least museum-inclined child should find plenty of interest here!. It's a vast place, so keep visits fairly short, take a break for refreshments in the huge central court and pick up one of the excellent family trails or activity backpacks from the Paul Hamlyn Library, or a hand-held kid's multimedia guide from the Great Court."

"One of the world’s oldest museums of history and culture, grown from the collection of one man who was interested in everything. Exhibitions include abstractions like life and death and showcases of Ancient Iran, the prehistory of Europe, the Middle East, the Rosetta Stone, Lindow Man, the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo ship burial."

"The mummies in the Ancient Egypt section are a particular favourite. There’s so much to explore whether you’re into the Aztecs and the Incas, the Vikings or Ancient Greece. It’s best to pick just one area to visit each time you go or it’s just too much to take in."

"Not just one of the best museums in London but also the world’s largest collection of decorative arts and design, the V&A is comprised of more than 150 separate galleries over seven floors of furniture, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, posters, jewellery, metalwork, glass, textiles, dress, architecture and photography spanning several centuries. Plus it’s home to the beautiful William Morris tearoom and a water-filled courtyard; both excellent spots for a scone break."

"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."

"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 second most popular tourist attraction in the UK, Tate Modern, is a striking London structure. Originally a Power Station, Tate Modern opened in May 2000 as a home to international modern and contemporary art. Displays in Tate Modern cover themes such as Transformed Visions and Poetry and Dream, and give visitors the opportunity to see works of art such as Pablo Picasso's 'Weeping Woman,' 'Metamorphosis of Narcissus' by Salvador Dalí, and 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' by Dorothea Tanning."

"The Tate Modern displays modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present. It’s an absolute must-see in London, even if you're not an art lover. The newly opened Tanks and Switch House tower opens up the gallery for further exhibits and is well worth a visit on its architectural merit alone."

"The National Gallery is one of the UK’s most important art museums which contains over 2,300 works dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. With many famous works by artists including Michelangelo, Velázquez, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh and others housed inside a Grade I listed Neoclassical building on the northern edge of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is certainly one of the most impressive free galleries London has to offer. Nearest tube station: Charing Cross."

"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."

"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"

"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."

"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."

"Tate Britain focuses primarily on historic and contemporary British art. The pieces on display are always changing, but you can expect to see famous masterpieces from artists like J.M.W. Turner and William Hogarth. The gallery’s Rotunda staircase is one of the most impressive sights inside the building."

"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."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"Leading Victorian artist Frederic (Lord) Leighton lived and worked in this building on the edge of Holland Park, spending 30 years (and…"

"In the early 1800s, art enthusiast Sir Francis Bourgeois instructed that his entire collection be turned into a gallery open to the public, handpicking architect John Soane to create the Dulwich Picture Gallery from scratch. Look up, and you can see for yourself the innovative techniques Soane used to bathe the whole gallery in sunlight, which became the prototype for all galleries to this day. Still, don't forget to look down too, to see the great Baroque masterpieces that line the walls and the mausoleum Soane designed for his friend and patron."

"A little bit of history for you here: Dulwich Picture Gallery is the world’s very first purpose-built public art gallery. Sir John Soane was the legendary architect who worked on it, designing it in a groundbreaking way that allowed oodles of natural light into the exhibition space. Under its roof you’ll find works by Old Masters of the 18th and 19th centuries, including Rembrandt, Murillo, Van Dyck, Poussin, Gainsborough and Constable."

"Dulwich Picture Gallery opened in 1817 in Southwark, southeast London. It is the first purpose-built and London’s oldest art gallery. Nowadays besides the permanent collection of Old Master paintings, the gallery offers a program of temporary exhibitions, as well as public events that engage the community."

"The University College London Art Museum houses a collection that goes back to 1847. The collection began when artist John Flaxman offered his sculpture models and drawing to the university. Now, there are more than 10,000 objects in the collection, to include etchings by Rembrandt."

"Frederick John Horniman was quite the hoarder, but with his eclectic collection of natural history specimens, anthropology artefacts and, er, musical instruments now on display, we’ll let him off for that. Among the natural science galleries you’ll find taxidermied animals aplenty – including a hilariously overstuffed walrus – alongside living exhibits in the form of the inhabitants of an aquarium and a butterfly house. 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ, horniman.ac.uk"

"The Horniman Museum and Gardens is a London museum dating back to the early 1900s. The museum's collection of more than 350,000 objects focuses on natural history, anthropology, and instruments. It has a well known and impressive collection of taxidermied animals."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. Admission is free but you must book your visit in advance here. NEAREST METRO STATION: Forest Hill (Overground)"

"In an era where ”offbeat” and ”eccentric” have become de rigueur on London’s nightlife scene, this genuine old working men’s club beats its competitors hands down. At once authentically unpretentious yet effortlessly cool, it’s an East London gem – a little rough around the edges and with bucket loads of tongue-in-cheek humour to soften its increasingly “hip” edge. There’s always something unusual on offer at the Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club."

"This charming five bedroom bed and breakfast is situated on the first floor above a traditional London pub in a residential part of historic Greenwich (a World Heritage Site). The Pelton Arms appeared in Rock and Chips, the prequel to Only Fools and Horses, where it became the “Nag’s Head”, and still bears the signage. The Pelton Arms is a friendly local pub serving real ale and great British food."

"Restaurants Chinese Camberwell. A pioneer of regional Chinese cuisine in London, this Camberwell cutie puts the focus on dishes from the north-west frontier province of Xinjiang. The flavours can be fiery, although they’re tempered with a plethora of spices – a legacy from the namesake Silk Road that was used to transport treasures between the East and West."

"A south-of-the-river institution, Silk Road is a northwestern Chinese restaurant specialising in Xinjiang cuisine. Snack on grilled cumin lamb skewers, feast on what is underwhelmingly called 'medium chicken' an aromatic broth redolent with star anise and chilli, chicken on the bone and potatoes. That's not all, the waiters bring superb homemade noodles to dip in the broth and slurp contentedly as part two of the dish."

"This cheerful restaurant in Camberwell serves food from China's Xinjiang province. Slide onto communal benches and peruse a refreshingly short menu before promptly deciding to order the lot. Hand-pulled noodles, fluffy dumplings and spicy stews prove that Chinese food is more than your typical sweet-and-sour chicken or beef in black bean sauce."

"Restaurants Chinese Shepherd’s Bush. There’s no shortage of budget chop suey joints in She Bu, but this is a proper Chinese restaurant serving more than the usual takeaway scoff. Sichuan cuisine (including a tongue-numbing mala hotpot ‘buffet’) is the draw, backed by gentler items such as Hunan-style red-braised pork belly."

"A family-owned diamond in the rough on the main strip of Green Street around the corner from Upton Park station. Shanghai Chinese has the look of that typical old-school neighbourhood Chinese takeaway joint, and has actually been around for over 30 years. Open for day and evening service takeaway."

"Nothing beats a good, juicy burger and going meat-free doesn't mean you have to miss out. Smoky Boys has a delicious range of vegetarian and vegan burgers to sink your teeth into. Try their Smoky Vegan for a moving mountain patty topped with salsa, vegan cheese and grilled onions."

"And with toppings like chili beans, sautéed veggies, and barbecued chicken, jacket potatoes are an ideal option for vegetarian and vegan budget travelers. There are actually a few speciality baked potato shops across the city, like Soho’s Potato Project. It’s one of the best cheap and cheerful restaurants in London!"