Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in St Brides

"One of the world’s greatest collections covering human history, art and culture, the museum has around eight million artefacts (only a tenth are ever on display) in almost 100 galleries. I’ve been visiting the British Museum since I was a child myself, fascinated by the Egyptian galleries – and the sheer scale of items on display, the variety and the fascinating stories behind so many artefacts mean that kids are likely to be just as enthralled, whether it’s by the mummified crocodile, the Easter Island Moai or something else. This is one I’d personally avoid during the early toddler years: preschoolers are old enough to be interested, babies young enough to snooze around, but chasing after enthusiastic 18-month-olds in a gallery of priceless artefacts makes me shiver."

"From ancient Assyrian reliefs to columns from the Temple of Artemis – a trip around the British Museum is an experience that transcends time and space. The objects here are some of the world’s most prized artifacts, all carefully displayed in one of the most beautiful museum building in Europe."

"The British Museum has an amazing collection that spans over two million years of human history. It is also home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian material outside of Cairo."

"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."

"Lovers of culture should head to Exhibition Road, home to some of London’s best museums and galleries. There you will find the remarkable Victoria and Albert Museum, which offers free general admission, talks and tours. The foundation stone of the current V&A building was laid in 1899 by Queen Victoria, and the stunning building houses thousands of art and design objects from a wide range of periods, including Art Deco, Medieval, Renaissance and Surrealism."

"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."

"Once collectively known singularly as the Tate Gallery, London now has two Tate art galleries: Tate Britain and Tate Modern. Comprising one of the world's most important art collections, the original gallery opened in 1897 as the basis of a national collection of significant British art, and continued to make acquisitions, needing more space to properly display its collections. The end result was the establishment of Tate Britain, in Millbank on the north side of the Thames, as home to its permanent collection of historic British paintings."

"Sitting grandly on the banks of the Thames is Tate Modern.Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art has a unique design due to the building's previous life as a power station. Inside, you'll find temporary exhibitions by top artists from Damien Hirst to Gauguin and restaurants offering fabulous views across the city."

"Housing the UK’s national collection of international modern and contemporary art, the Tate Modern is undoubtedly London’s most iconic modern art gallery. The gallery has been considered the mover and shaker of the contemporary art world ever since it opened in 2000."

"With more than 2300 European masterpieces in its collection, this is one of the world's great galleries, with seminal works from the 13th to the mid-20th century, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian, Vincent van Gogh and Auguste Renoir. Many visitors flock to the eastern rooms on the main floor (1700–1930), where works by British artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable and JMW Turner, and Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces by Van Gogh, Renoir and Claude Monet await."

"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."

"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."

"The Tate Modern’s older sister focuses on British art and holds pieces from heavyweights including Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and William Hogarth within its imposing Pimlico building. The museum hosts regular Lates, which fall on the last Friday of the month and have a different theme each time: LGBTQ art, perhaps, or creative learning, with licensed bars in the galleries and a live DJ. Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RGTelephone: +44 20 7887 8888Website:tate.org.ukEntry fee: admission is free, exhibitions cost extra"

"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."

"From Pre-Raphaelite paintings to landscapes by Turner and Francis Bacon's distorted nudes, there's lots to look at in Tate Britain. The gallery is home to the largest collection of British art in the world. Eat at the gallery's restaurant and study the famous Rex Whistler mural between mouthfuls!"

"This area of South London is its very own artistic hub, home to colleges, galleries and numerous artists and studios. The South London Gallery, in a superb Victorian building between Peckham and Camberwell, opened in 1891, and its mission was to bring art to the people, as it still does to this day. As well as changing exhibitions of contemporary art, there is a great cafe that serves Peckham’s best coffee, and an beautiful garden designed by Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco, with support from horticulturists at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew."

"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."

"The South London Gallery, also known as SLG, was founded in 1891 as a public gallery of contemporary art in Camberwell, London. In 2010 6a Architects designed the SLG expansion to provide additional gallery spaces, a cafe, an educational space, and residences."

"The Horniman Museum is somewhere which often gets overlooked by visitors to London, as it’s further out of the centre, but is actually a great museum with toddlers and kids as it’s a manageable size and has a mix of different exhibits – part natural history museum, part aquarium, a few mummies and other exhibits which might not be out of place at the British Museum. The new World Gallery also explores what it means to be human while the stuffed walrus has his own Twitter account… There are also 16 acres of grounds with a nature trail, a sound garden, butterfly house and some small animals in a mini zoo, including alpacas, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens. And while many of the sections are small, including the compact aquarium, it makes it one of the best for toddlers who’ll be as fascinated and happy to gaze for ages."

"The Horniman’s far-out location (almost an hour from central London) means that you can expect lots of lovely breathing space at a museum that would otherwise be packed. The huge building, with its looming clocktower, looks a bit like a very ornate train station and is surrounded by 16 acres of garden. You’ll find large natural history and anthropology galleries, as well as an aquarium, carefully curated wild-looking gardens, and a beautiful Victorian conservatory."

"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."

"The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture is a London museum that is home to an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century home decorative arts. The Arts Council England recognized the collection as providing outstanding international value. The MoDA also has the Sir James Maude Richards Library of architectural books on a long-term loan."

"The reign of the gourmet burger is over – the benevolent rule of the expertly crafted dirty burger is here. Nowhere in London is it done with such all-American flair than at Five Guys. Fifties diner vibes are pleasingly utilitarian, as straightforward as what happens back in the open kitchen: never-frozen patties are fried before your very eyes, chips are hand-cut daily and every burger is made to precise order, with as many or as little toppings as you like."

"Jerry Murrell and his sons (none of them named Moe) are the Five Guys behind this US burger chain, which is proving a hit this side of the pond. Expect garish red colours, noisy queues, Coke from a freestyle machine and endless pick-your-own toppings. It’s all very down-home Yankee."

"Not for the faint of heart, Maxwell’s Freakshakes (£8.95) are among the most legendary London desserts. From a salted caramel concoction layered with whipped cream, marshmallows and a hefty doughnut to seasonal numbers that have seen unicorn, Pokemon and even Spice Girls themes, they’re as indulgent as they are Instagrammable. Line 'em up: the best kinda trio."

"Amazing Kew Gardens in the southwest neighbourhood of Kew is one of London’s most picturesque parks; 132 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses that that house the world’s most diverse collection of living plants. Kew Gardens was founded in 1840 and is today London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with beautiful glasshouses, including the iconic Palm House and its exotic rainforest. There’s a magical children’s garden, the fantastic Treetop Walkway that soars into the tree canopy at a height of 18 metres, and Kew Palace, the former summer residence of King George III."

"12 km from city center 9 out of 40 places to visit in London. A World Heritage Site, London’s Kew Gardens is famous for its sprawling landscape and an impressive collection of flora and fauna. It is home to the world’s most diverse and enchanting species of flora, spread over 121 hectares, and in existence for more than 250 years."

"Whether you’re a fan of gardens or not, Kew Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in London. The Hive is a unique new structure exploring the story of the honey bee, and children will love the Treetop Walkway. Best shot: the Waterlily House or the spiral staircase make for superb captures."

"Located in Westminster by Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park is 57 glorious acres of royal history, landmarks and gorgeous city lookouts. Enjoy the the vast lake and the seventeen resident species of birds from the comfort of an old fashioned stripy deckchair (boater hat optional). The Queen lives just up the road but you’re more likely to catch a glimpse of the squadron of pelicans (yes, really) that reside within the park."

"Walking around Green Park and St Jame’s Park in the morning is a wonderful experience. It’s so calm and peaceful and when you have the beautiful light such as below it is just perfect. Considering staying at the awesome Sheraton Grand London Park Lane where you’ll find these amazing parks on your doorstep."

"One of the Royal London Parks, St James’s Park is one of the most visited each year mostly because of the many royal events that take place, like the annual Trooping of the Colour."