Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in West Hampstead

"Founded in 1753, The British Museum is the largest museum in London and was the first national museum in the world to cover all fields of human knowledge. The impressive museum now has a collection of over eight million artefacts which span two million years of human history, art and culture. And if the museum’s substantial free collections aren’t enough to draw you in, then its architecture certainly will."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The British Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. On Fridays it closes at 8:30 pm. The museum remains closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and from 24 to 26 December."

"Its permanent collection numbers more than 8 million pieces, spanning human history and culture from its ancient beginnings right up to modern times. The British Museum © Flickr WWarby"

"South Kensington’s V&A is one of the world’s largest art and design museums, and it's arguably London’s most glamorous. (Just the building itself is well worth the visit: a glorious red-brick palace filled with sculptural details, extravagant tiling, and frescos.) The collection is helpfully broken down into topics—fashion, theatre, furniture, architecture—and all are comprehensive, usually spanning several hundred (if not thousand) years. Don’t expect to tackle more than one or two galleries per visit, and do check out the seasonal exhibition."

"No design nerd’s visit to London would be complete without a trip to the V&A Museum. You could potentially spend a week roaming its 145 galleries and still not see everything; the permanent collection alone includes over 2.3 million objects spanning some 5,000 years. Those visiting in the month of September are in for an additional treat, as the museum becomes a hub for the London Design Festival and plays host to installations by both established and emerging designers."

"Documenting 5,000 years of art and design, the free Victoria & Albert Museum is the third in the South Kensington museum trilogy. Known to most simply as the V&A, head here for amazing outfits, glittering jewellery, intricate mosaics and ancient sculptures in their constantly changing collection (their new Raphael Court, pictured above, is a gorgeous new addition). 2021 sees the arrival of an unmissable Alice in Wonderland exhibition."

"In what was once the Bankside Power Station, the Tate Modern looms over the waterfront of the South Bank. Its permanent collections house a wealth of modern British art – see pieces from Damien Hirst and Jackson Pollock – and international artists including Henri Matisse and Auguste Rodin. The immense Turbine Hall is dominated by a changing display of site-specific installations: millions of handcrafted porcelain sunflower seeds filled the space in 2010-11, while Olafur Eliasson took over with The Weather Project in 2003 and a blinding sun installation."

"Along the south bank (always worth a wander), you can stop in at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern Art Gallery, and even quickly cross the Millennium bridge for a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Globe and St. Paul’s Cathedral are both included on the London Pass, whilst the Tate Modern is free to enter."

"This spectacular renovation of a mid-20th-century power station is one of the most-visited museums of modern art in the world. Its great…"

"The National Gallery is the jewel in the crown of London’s Trafalgar Square. This impressive neoclassical building houses paintings from the mid-13th century to 1900. There’s art from all over Europe here, and every period from the Italian Renaissance to the Impressionist era is well represented."

"The National Gallery is an art museum located in London's Trafalgar Square. The museum has more than 2,300 paintings, with some reaching back to the 1200s. The National Gallery sees some five million visitors each year."

"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."

"A temple to the work of British artists over the past 500 years, with a vast collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, two rooms of Henry Moore sculptures, a free picture library filled with rare and fragile sketches from major artists, and a restaurant with a mural by Rex Whistler. Late at Tate Britain: On the first Friday of every month, Tate Collective Producers curate an evening exploring a different abstract theme, with a little help from DJs, activists, artists and more. Details: Millbank, SW1P 4RG | Free entry | Find out more and book–"

"Also known as the National Gallery of British Art, it holds the country’s most extensive collections of national historic art, as well as contemporary. The gallery is also known for holding the prestigious and career-defining Turner Prize exhibition, which features the work of its four winning British visual artists each year. Catch it if you can to be among the first to see the next national treasure of the art world."

"Somerset House is home to London's Courtauld Gallery (currently closed for refurbishment) with its collection of Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings, and The Embankment Galleries with a rotating programme of exhibitions dedicated to art, design, fashion and photography. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"Take a river boat to Embankment Pier to admire Somerset House on the Thames. The Neoclassical building houses a working arts centre with fascinating exhibitions and events."

"In recent years this huge complex—the work of Sir William Chambers (1723–96), and built during the reign of George III to house offices…"

"The gallery houses pictures of the major (and not-so major) figures of the nation’s history from King Henry VIII to David Beckham. It makes a great introduction to British history for both kids and adults. Kid-friendly audio tours are available."

"Inigo Jones had recently completed Banqueting House with much success. The pristine white building was a big contrast within the darkened brick structures around Whitehall. Anne of Denmark commissioned Inigo Jones to design her new home in Greenwich (an area long associated with British monarchy)."

"The Queen’s House is one of the main things to see in Greenwich, London. It’s located next to the National Maritime Museum, and close to the other Greenwich attractions including the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark. The Queen’s House is the first Classical building in Britain."

"Not far away you can also visit the Queen’s House, a beautiful and architecturally significant former royal residence designed by Inigo Jones. Admiral Nelson’s Trafalgar coat"

"Somewhat bemusingly, it claims to be the oldest French restaurant in London despite only being founded in the 1940s. Still, the menu is brimming with classic French dishes, so we’ll forgive this apparent fib."

"St Ethelburga, entirely destroyed by an IRA bomb in 1993, is the smallest of the City churches at 56 feet long and 30 feet wide. The parish covered just three acres, an acre more petite than the area covered by the Bank of England. The church had survived since 1390, having been outside the area destroyed by the Great Fire."

"If you’re looking for a place steeped in history, then look no further than St Dunstan in the East Church Garden. Having been built around the year 1100, St Dunstan’s Church had a new south aisle added in 1391 which was later repaired in 1631. However, just 35 years down the line in 1666, the entire church was severely damaged by the Great Fire of London."

"This church dates from the 12th century but was badly damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The remains are extremely atmospheric and it’s a good place to seek out shade on a hot day. Best shot: Hone in on the ruined church windows for a moody shot."

"An example of an old yet well-preserved Roman Catholic church. St Etheldreda’s is dedicated to Etheldreda, an Anglo-Saxon saint. It’s also one of two churches that survived Edward I’s reign."

"Lambeth Palace is the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England on the banks of the River Thames. The palace has served as the archbishop's home for more than 800 years. While the palace opens to the public via guided tours, it is not open to the public only a daily basis."

"Ross Brown is one of London coffee’s most irreverent, reluctant ambassadors. His eponymous shop is as much pillar of the citywide landscape as it is a neighbourhood essential; Square Mile’s iconic (if “steady”) Red Brick anchors the espresso offering, while DROP — a Swedish roastery focussed on juicy, expressive coffees, (sadly missed since Flat White’s defection to Dark Arts) — is a regular option on filter. A recent refurbishment has expanded and brightened the shop, but taken away none of its personality, which can also be found at St David’s in Forest Hill and Bon in East Dulwich."

"Browns of Brockley is a lovely, quaint coffee shop where you can fuel up on great espresso and homemade sandwiches. Founder Ross Brown knows that the secret to an excellent coffee shop is plenty of froth and friendliness – with both of those being found in abundance at his Coulgate Street latte lair. The Square Mile coffee is impeccably roasted and the baked goods from Little Bread Pedlar don’t go amiss, either."

"Tetote Factory is a top, top bakery that has built itself a loyal following of passionate pastry Dead Heads since it opened up shop on South Ealing Road. This bakery is so popular that you’ve got to place your orders a day in advance (at least) and you’re probably going to be overwhelmed with choice. Not sure what to get?"

"This South Ealing bakery makes amazing Japanese breads, cakes and pastries - if you want to make sure something is going to be in stock, like their sweet azuki bean buns, then order ahead. They also do French baguettes which are the stuff of legend in these parts. More about Tetote Factory"

"One of the city’s best (Japanese) bakeries remains partially open, for pre-booked customers who must call 0208 579 8391 a day ahead."