Best Arts and Culture Places in London Borough of Waltham Forest

"Whatever your politics, the British Museum houses some of the most famous antiquities in the world. From the Rosetta Stone to the ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, the Parthenon Marbles to the Easter Island moai, this museum has an impressive collection from across the globe. Add to that the stunning Great Court designed by Foster and Partners, and it’s as architecturally pleasing as it is historically important."

"With its huge collection you could spend years exploring the various rooms and displays but there are some highlights you can’t miss to see:. Inside the museum, the the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court transformed the Museum’s inner courtyard into the largest covered public square in Europe. The museum is open daily from 10.00–17.30 and until 20.30 on Fridays."

"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"

"The world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design is not the most obviously family-friendly of the South Kensington museums, but there’s a lot more to the Victoria & Albert museum for kids than you might expect. Better with older preschoolers than toddlers, there are various children’s activity packs, including the Agent Animal backpack with coloured blocks which make a noise to entertain as you follow the animal-themed trail. As you might expect from a museum focused on ‘decorative and applied arts’, there are plenty of creative activities as well – the chance to draw and let imaginations be inspired by the exhibits as well as opportunities to dress up."

"One of the greatest art and design museums in the world, the V&A contains some of the best examples of Renaissance works of art and most precious jewel collections surviving in the world today."

"Known to all as the V&A, this huge museum is devoted to the applied arts of all disciplines, all periods, and all nationalities."

"For those who prefer more contemporary art to classical works, head to the Tate Modern on the south bank of the River Thames. Located inside of the former Bankside Power Station, the Tate Modern is Britain’s national gallery of international modern art, housing a huge collection of contemporary and modern artwork from 1900 to the present day, with artists including Picasso, DalÍ­, Pollock and Warhol. The Tate Modern is the most visited art museum in Britain and the second most visited museum in the UK after the British Museum."

"Housed in an industrial power station at the foot of the River Thames, the Tate Modern is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious contemporary and modern art museums. Exhibiting British and international works dating from 1900 to today, the Tate Modern displays contemporary masters like Rothko, Matisse, Picasso, and Dali, alongside modern mavericks like Yayoi Kusama, Tracey Emin, and Marina Abramovic. The cavernous and imposing Turbine Hall plays host to temporary exhibitions of considerable scale."

"Art-lovers can spend hours inside the Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery, while theater-goers will want to buy tickets for Shakespeare’s Globe or the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Walking through one of London’s numerous parks is also an option, and so is admiring the architecture of Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the evenings, have some fish and chips in a pub or enjoy London’s multicultural dining options. You will stay in the city until the morning of Day 3."

"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."

"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."

"With so many free entry museums in London featuring collections sourced from around the world, the Museum of London takes a completely different tack – showcasing the history of my weird and wonderful city. The museum traces the history of London from prehistoric times through to modern times, with an emphasis on the characters that have called the city home. It’s a fascinating look at the events and people who have made the great city what it is today."

"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."

"Attractions Buy tickets"

"Set up in 2008, Of Cabbages and Kings is laid out retro and funky, like a 1950s American kitchen. It’s a gift shop that sells fine art and arts and crafts products. Named after a line in a Lewis Carroll poem (hence the weird name), the interior is as wonderful and quirky as the name suggests."

"However, today visitors can still see one remaining section of the palace complex, the Banqueting Hall (fee*) designed by famous architect Inigo Jones with a ceiling painted by Peter Paul Reubens. Today Whitehall is the center of the Government of the United Kingdom and you’ll pass a number of buildings home to various departments and ministries, including the Ministry of Defense and the Cabinet Office. Along this street you’ll also find The Household Calvary Museum (fee*), located in the 18th century stables of the Horse Guards, which gives information on the history of the Household Cavalry and displays a small collection of uniforms and weapons."

"A distinguished collection of antiquities, fine art and collections relating to Old Harrovians such as Churchill, Byron, Sheridan, Codrington and Cecil Beaton."

"Based on a quiet street in Chelsea’s upmarket district, the Michael Hoppen Gallery has been specialising in all forms of photography for over 20 years. The ground floor showcases exhibitions from world-renowned contemporary photographers chosen or represented by Michael Hoppen, such as William Klein’s striking photojournalism and editorial pieces which frame the open space. The staircase up to the second floor gallery is wallpapered with nostalgic features and reviews of celebrated exhibitions over the years, leading to a reading room displaying exhibits from the likes of Peter Beard around a well-stocked reference library."

"This institute is devoted to expanding cultural histories, in order to protect the legacies of British artists of mainly Black or Asian descent and help marginalised artistic societies gain the appreciation they deserve. It was contributory in the early careers of famous modern artists such as Yinka Shonibare MBE, Steve McQueen, Idris Khan and Sonia Boyce. It also holds the Stuart Hall Library, titled after the pioneering scholar who established the organisation back in 1994."

"A unique evening awaits at The Boat Show Comedy Club because it’s not often you’ll spend time watching comedians on the Thames. Located inside a refurbished paddle steamer, the 300-capacity club is located at The Tattershall Castle on Victoria Embankment and sees acts perform every Friday and Saturday night as well as on Tuesdays. Four comedians feature on each bill but you’re unlikely to see the same thing with comics performing no more than around three times a year."

"London's finest floating comedy club has been running for about 12 years now. The venue is a beautifully refurbished paddle steamer, moored permanently opposite the London Eye, on the Embankment near Westminster. The Tattershall Castle is its name, and each show boasts four top comics plus special guests."

"Whether looking for a cosy table for two, or celebrating with friends and family, Bill’s Windsor has something for everyone, whatever the time of day. Open all day and into the night, we’re well-known for our legendary breakfasts, veg-centric lunches, and a la carte dinners. Our menu has always had a strong emphasis on vegetarian food and fresh produce which stems from our founder, Bill Collison’s, days as a greengrocer."

"Bill’s was founded in 2001 by Greengrocer Bill Collinson in Lewes, East Sussex. After a flood Bill added a café to his shop and after great success went on to open a second restaurant in Brighton. Bill’s have since expanded and opened 81 sites across the UK."

"Just next to Windsor & Eton Central Station you will find Bill’s. A modern British restaurant that adds a twist onto their dishes. They’re known all over the UK for their legendary breakfasts but they also have a pretty impressive lunch and dinner menu!"

"Restaurants Japanese Soho. As part of the funky, riotous Bone Daddies group, Shack-Fuyu likes to do things differently – and that includes serving a belt-bustingly generous Sunday brunch. In practice, that means a yuzu kosho bloody mary or a strawberry bellini on arrival, followed by a choice of Anglo-Asian small-plate dishes (burnt cauliflower with jalapeño salsa, crispy duck bun etc) and a single big dish (perhaps grilled salmon with chilli teriyaki) plus a dessert for the table."

"Another entry from Bone Daddies, Shackfuyu takes the idea of Japanese food as healthy and turns it on its head. Forget sushi, forget poke, Shackfuyu is East-West fusion for when you’re seriously hungry. Try the prawn toast okonomiyaki, octopus tacos, and the korean fried wings, and finish things off with their famed kinako french toast."