Best Arts and Culture Places in Notting Hill

"With nearly 6 million visitors a year, the British Museum, is the UK's most popular tourist attraction, and provides visitors to London with free public access to important objects from human history and culture. Founded in 1753, The British Museum was the first national public museum in the world. The immense building is dominated by the round, domed Reading Room and airy Great Court, which opened in 2000."

"The first time I visited the British Museum I ignorantly thought it would be a celebration of British culture. Instead, it’s a huge collection of historical artefacts from all over the world (I guess being a huge colonial power made everything part of British history?). Entrance to the British Museum and permanent exhibition is free, but there are occasional exhibitions that you can pay for if you want."

"No visit to London would be complete without a trip to the British Museum. It’s home to over 8 million artefacts, including the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Marbles. There are so many things to see in this museum that even a full day spent here will barely scratch the surface."

"The V&A offers a decadent art and design extravaganza on a backpacker’s budget, attracting nearly 3.5 million visitors a year. Its vast permanent collection has something for everyone, be it textiles, paintings, architecture, ceramics, Japanese art, glass, china, furniture, or even wedding dresses. Even the building itself is a thing of beauty, making it one of the most instagrammable destinations in London."

"Nearest c2c station: Fenchurch Street change for TFL services. Art and fashion lovers should make a beeline for the V&A, one of the best free museums in London and indeed, among the world’s top centres for breathtaking art. Some 150 galleries show off ceramics, sculpture, glass, textiles, furniture and more, the sheer amount of excellent work almost intimidating."

"Over in South Kensington, the V&A is another of the best museums in London. Dedicated to all things aesthetic, it’s the world’s largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design. Walking through the V&A is a treat for the eyes."

"This contemporary art museum is very welcoming to kids, from the family visitor hosts during holidays and at weekends, as well as family maps, regular activities and events (although some are more suitable for older kids) and the Start Display focused on some of the most famous works, helping to get younger visitors thinking about art. There are also suggested games, along with activity packs, and you’re reminded it’s OK to make some noise!. Entry is free – adults have to pay for special exhibitions, but under-12s can enter free for those as well."

"The most-visited modern art gallery in the world, partly because it holds the national collection of British art from 1900 to the present day, as well as international modern and contemporary art, but mainly because the 6th floor members’ cafe has one of London’s best views. Which is like art in itself, man."

"Tate Modern holds the national collection of British art from 1900 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art. Tate Modern is actually one of the largest art galleries on the planet and one of the most important modern art museums in the world."

"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."

"Home to more than 2,000 paintings from the Middle Ages through to the 20th Century, the National Gallery is another museum that’s free to enter. The gallery is open daily between 11am and 6pm, and booking is required in order to limit numbers in the building. Booking can only be done online and in advance."

"London’s own museum about London itself, right from prehistoric times through to more modern eras, exploring the people who lived on the site over the centuries and how their influence endures – Romans, Saxons (including a chance to pop inside a recreated Saxon house), medieval London and the plague, the Great Fire and more. Well, where better to discover London’s history than a museum dedicated to it?. Even after decades living in and visiting the capital, I hadn’t realised that hippos once roamed what’s now Trafalgar Square."

"Experience science and technology advancements in the famous Science Museum. Being the most visited science and technology museum in Europe, it houses some of the world’s famous objects like Stephens rocket and Apollo 10 command capsule. You cannot miss the splendid space travel and experience what it’s like to fly with the Red Arrows."

"Off the radar to most visitors, yet one of the city's great attractions, the Museum of London provides a walk through London's various incarnations – from the geological history of the Thames Valley to the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants to modern-day bankers."

"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 very cool gallery that is accessed through an industrial yard in Bethnal Green, via an entryway brimming with sub-tropical plants. An independent gallery founded in 1999, it has an packed programme of exhibitions, projects, talks, screenings, and events. 258 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9DAC Free entrycellprojects.org"

"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."

"The House of Dreams Museum is the vision of London art director Steven Wright, who has lived in the East Dulwich home since 1982. He began to turn it into a museum in the late 90s. It serves as a shrine to his dead parents and partner."

"Visiting the British Library is one of our favourite things to do around London. This landmark of London is next door to St Pancras station. It’s been there barely twenty years, but I can’t imagine London without it."

"The British Library is the United Kingdom's national library. It contains an estimated 200 million different works from around the world. Some of the library's collection dates back to 2000 BC."

"Modern French and world cuisine in the heart of Windsor, just 200 meters away from the Castle. Exciting freshly prepared homemade food, created and served under the guidance of chef-patron Andre. Reviews: "This restaurant’s food and its staff are consistently exceptional. My wife and I are frequent visitors and have never been disappointed.""The staff, headed up by Pasquale are extremely attentive and very courteous."

"Straddling the line between high class cuisine and comfort food, the menu at À la Russe takes notes from both French and Mediterranean roots. The result is an eclectic and superb dining experience, served elegantly over white tablecloths and candlelight. The 3 course Table D’Hote meal is very affordable for the quality you’re getting, and we suggest it."

"Charming bistro strongly influenced by French regional cuisine. Next to the Parish Church with a secluded courtyard for al fresco dining."

"Sardine may be in an odd location (tucked behind McDonald’s on City Road) in Hoxton, but upon entering you’ll immediately feel like you’re in the Mediterranean. From the aromas to the colourful (yet tasteful) décor, it’s a pleasant place to be. But it’s the smell of the Southern French cooking happening on an open wood fire that really draws you (and your taste buds) in."

"Awe-inspiring Victorian interiors, elegant French cuisine and understated service are what earned this unique city restaurant its Michelin star, under the direction of acclaimed chef brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin. 35 Spital Square, Spitalfields, London, E1 6DY"

"Cigalon is a restaurant in London that shows it worth both in its plates and on its walls. When you're not lapping up the velvet booths and white tablecloths alongside sweeping plates, you'll be enjoying a meal focused on all things Provençal."

"The Fuzzy Bear can provide you with comedy, cocktails and live music. Whatever night you are after having you will be able to enjoy at The Fuzzy Bear. They have some amazing DJ’s that play the best music around."

"This is the kind of comedy night that hosts the intellectual clever comics of Radio 4 and the Guardian. The kind that weave a whole story, or create funny characters before hitting you with their comedy. This is grown up comedy for all those who like comedy mixed with fine dining, good conversation and a nice glass of whisky."