Best Arts and Culture Places in Havering-Atte-Bower

"With an eclectic collection amassed throughout the centuries, the British Museum demands comfortable shoes and a lot of time. It’s undoubtedly one of the best free entry museums in London, and an incredible tour through the history of humanity. An entire afternoon or morning will barely skim the surface, while even a full day will leave many treasures undiscovered."

"One of the world’s best museums has a kid-friendly attitude and fun children’s audio tours. The Rosetta Stone, the Elgin (Parthenon) Marbles, and the Egyptian mummies are some of the jaw-dropping exhibits. To keep them even engaged, download activity trails to your smartphone or tablet, or print worksheets before you go."

"One of the world's great repositories of human civilization, the British Museum is the premier visitor attraction in the whole of the…"

"The Museum of Manufactures, as the V&A was known when it opened in 1852, was part of Prince Albert’s legacy to the nation in the aftermath of the successful Great Exhibition of 1851. It houses the world's largest collection of decorative arts, from Asian ceramics to Middle Eastern rugs, Chinese paintings, Western furniture, fashion from all ages and modern-day domestic appliances. The (ticketed) temporary exhibitions are another highlight, covering anything from David Bowie retrospectives to designer Alexander McQueen, special materials and trends."

"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 V&A can be found in South Kensington close to the Natural History Museum and Science Museum. With free entry, the large gallery is the world’s leading museum of art and design. The museum houses a permanent collection of over 2.27 million objects spanning 5,000 years of art, design and sculpture from cultures all around the world, with exhibitions on textiles, costumes, jewellery, furniture, drawings, printing, photography, ironwork, ceramics and more."

"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."

"London's museum of modern art is located directly at the bank of river Thames. It offers besides several abstract masterpieces also the possibility to enjoy a great view over the city and there is no entrance fee. Find out which artworks you can admire here and where you have to look for the fantastic view ...Images, Info & Tips"

"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."

"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."

"Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Turner, Renoir and Van Gogh—a roll call of Western European masters await you at London’s National Gallery. Boasting more than 2,000 paintings from the 13th to the 19th century, the overwhelming collection is yours to discover free of charge. And if you’re hungry for more art, stop by the National Portrait Gallery next door."

"What better way to explore London, than in this fantastic museum, devoted to the history of one of the greatest cities in the world. The exhibits span the city’s long and illustrious past from 450,000 BC (when there weren’t so many coffee shops as there are now) right up to the present day. Along the way you can experience what it was like when the city of Londinium came to life during Roman times, the turbulent Medieval era in the city, the 17th century’s war, fire and plague…"

"Museum of London is one of the world's largest urban history museums and cares for over two million objects in its collection. The lower galleries are currently undergoing major redevelopment work which will see spectacular new galleries opening in spring 2010 telling the story of modern London from 1666 to the present day. The Museum also holds the largest archaeological archive in Europe of this wealth of information."

"Away from the frenzy of the Kensington museums and a stone’s throw from St Paul’s, is the Museum of London. Here you can travel on a journey through the capital’s turbulent past. Across nine galleries starting with prehistoric London, see how the city changed under the Romans and Saxons, see the wonders of medieval London before examining the years when London was ravaged by civil wars, plague and fire."

"Exhibiting modern art by both up-and-coming and established artists from the USA, Europe and Asia, Victoria Miro is a gallery that is all about the wow factor. “Their recent Idris Kahn exhibition, Beyond the Black in 2013, gave me the same wow effect as when I went to see Mark Rothko at Tate Modern” says Matthew, recalling to us how the atmosphere of the gallery that day was both powerful and enthralling. Having worked closely with Idris Kahn in the past, Matthew told us he felt very proud to see what he had achieved."

"Victoria Miro is recognised for celebrating new artists from America, Europe and Asia as well as sustaining amazing homegrown London talent. The large space is set across two floors, and the gallery is particularly unique as it has its own garden. The studio represents established installation artist Doug Aitken as well as more modern artists including Conrad Shawcross and Alice Neel."

"This gallery is in an 8,000-square-foot former furniture factory situated between Hoxton and Islington in north east London. Victoria Miro can be relied upon to exhibit the very best and most extraordinary in contemporary art. For example, currently it is showing work by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama whose iconic pumpkin sculptures are a sight to behold."

"This international chain of galleries lands its London branch on Saville Row, spread across two exhibition spaces: the North Gallery and the South Gallery. Enjoy a range of engaging events with Hauser & Wirth; from artist talks, film screenings and workshops, to their dynamic exhibition programme that showcases modern art from emerging and established artists around the world."

"Formerly known as Beetles+Huxley, the newly monikered Huxley Parlour gallery is based in Mayfair, a short jaunt away from the Royal Academy for those looking to keep on arting. Several exhibitions run throughout the year, with previous exhibitions featuring big British names Cecil Beaton, Bill Brandt and Patrick Lichfield. This year will the venue will showcase ten new works by Jem Southam alongside the later works by British abstract painter Sandra Blow."

"Tucked away across the road stands Beetles and Huxley Gallery, one of the early success stories of the London photography scene. The gallery has exhibited many of Britain’s leading photographers, including Patrick Lichfield, Terence Donovan, John Swannell, Cecil Beaton, Bill Brandt, Paul Kenny, Brian Duffy, Norman Parkinson and Edwin Smith. Though the space is unassuming, the images speak for themselves, showcasing the very best of fine art photography."

"Occupying disused bare-brick railway arches in Waterloo underground station, The Vaults is a striking space for alternative arts and immersive theatre. As well as jazz sets, indie plays, and alien-themed musicals, you can discover a continual rotation of art in its tunnels. This unique contemporary art gallery is said to feature artists who ‘have a natural affinity for the unusual, the daring, and the unknown’, and that is easy to see."

": Row upon row of glass jars, with everything from tiny organisms, to strange two-headed beasts, to examples of gross diseases, this museum can be very creepy at times, especially when it’s quiet. However, it’s so much more than the freakshow that it is sometimes made out to be, offering a unique insight into the history of surgery and advances in modern medicine. The next few months are your last chance to see the museum before it closes in 2017 for refurbishment, so get going!"

"Situated on Covent Garden’s Great Queen Street, right next to Freemasons’ Hall, Margot is perfectly poised to be your next pre-show dinner spot. The brainchild of Paulo de Tarso and Nicolas Jaouën, who previously worked together at Mayfair’s glamorous Scott’s, the restaurant takes classic Italian cuisine to the next level, with a menu of elevated but unfussy pasta dishes, as well as a delicious range of fish and meat plates. Once you’ve settled in and enjoyed the complimentary bread (Margot is a serious contender for having the best focaccia in London), we recommend starting your meal with the uovo in camicia, which comes with poached eggs, asparagus and a Parmesan “foam” that, once you’ve tried, you’ll want to pour on everything."

"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)."

"Lambrusco Dell'Emilia, Maecello Gran Cru Dry IGT , Ariola, 10.5%"

"The Rooftop London can boost with one of the city’s finest when speaking of drinking and dining with a view of the fantastic London skyline. Perfect place for enjoying an alfresco crafted cocktail from the long drink list, or nibble on some pan-Asian small plates. Open all year round, complete with blankets and heaters, along with a retractable roof providing a year round experience."