Best Arts and Culture Places in Queen's Park

"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."

"The gargantuan British Museum houses treasures such as the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies, and is a great rainy day activity in London. However, when the sun shines, the photo opportunities are even better. Best shot: Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, the covered atrium designed by Foster and Partners."

"Despite the name, this sprawling building in London’s academic Bloomsbury district is only fleetingly concerned with British history. Instead, it aims to represent the entire sweep of human endeavour, from pre-historic man through Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Absolutely marble-ous!"

"The largest decorative arts and design museum in the world, the V&A galleries give you a tour of the world through ancient sculptures, a world-famous fashion collection, antiquities from Asia and a brand new Photography Centre. The exceptional interiors of the café were designed by James Gamble, William Morris and Edward Poynter, complete with stained-glass windows, painted tiles and elaborate decorative mouldings. And the building’s Italian Renaissance facade, visible from the John Madejski Garden, is a sight to behold."

"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."

"One of London's most amazing attractions, this outstanding modern- and contemporary-art gallery is housed in the creatively revamped Bankside Power Station south of the Millennium Bridge. A spellbinding synthesis of modern art and capacious industrial brick design, Tate Modern has been extraordinarily successful in bringing challenging work to the masses, both through its free permanent collection and fee-paying big-name temporary exhibitions. The stunning Blavatnik Building opened in 2016, increasing the available exhibition space by 60%."

"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."

"Home to the national collection of British art from 1900 to the present day with a few international and contemporary pieces thrown in the mix."

"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."

"With its bold Greek-style pillars, this museum is hard to miss if you’re in Trafalgar Square. Wander around the beautiful museum and you’ll find it’s full of incredible artists creations from many years ago. Portraits of important people in British history is the main theme in The National Gallery."

"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."

"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."

"Over in the City, the Museum of London documents the history of the UK capital from prehistoric times to the present day. It’s one of the best London museums for diving into the Big Smoke’s past. Located next to the Barbican and on the London Wall, it’s sandwiched between London’s ancient and modern heritage."

"Tate Britain, which opened its doors in 1897, has a quite incredible collection of art on display in its beautiful riverside building, including paintings by William Blake, John Constable, Whistler and Millais (his iconic painting of Ophelia). It also has the largest number of Turner paintings in the world. A truly wonderful location, and a really first class selection If you want to visit both Tates on the same day, you can take a boat ride from one museum to the other, a much recommended trip in itself."

"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."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Make sure to book a time-slot for your visit on the museum’s website. Admission to the general exhibit is free."

"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."

"((Just a note that we don’t visit in on the regular HP Tour, but it’s included in the Audio Guide and on our web pages so I”ve noted that at the bottom.)). Located in the City of London, Leadenhall Market is a true treasure. Leadenhall is a covered market and the ornate rooftop, as well as the cobbled floors, were designed in 1881 and are nearly all original, although there was some redecoration done in the 1990s."

"It’s finally time to move away from the Notting Hill / South Kensintgon area and venture towards East London. It’s a closed market which is actually made up of different streets but the whole area is known as Leadenhall Market. You can access it from different openings which converge in a central square area, the most Instagrammable spot in my opinion!"

"Calling all Harry Potter fans, the Leadenhall Market is one photography location in London you don’t want to miss. This gorgeous indoor Victorian market was the setting for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron in the famous film series. The architecture is fantastic."

"Purveyors of Mauritian-inspired street food, Lovely Bunch of Coconuts do two things brilliantly – BBQ meats and biyranis. Free-range Welsh lamb and Norfolk chicken get top billing (have both if you’re feeling greedy), but the vegan biryani flavoured with citrussy lemon and coconut milk is also spot-on if you’re doing the plant-based thing. Chutneys and slaws are already loaded in the box, but other extras such as fresh grated coconut, dried chili flakes and crispy onions are available to add at your own discretion."

"You don’t want to miss out on visiting London’s oldest food market, Borough Market. Warning: Even if you’re not hungry, entering this market will make you hungry. Get lost in food heaven crammed with over 100 stalls run by small producers, with food stalls such as bakeries (Olivier’s Bakery), olives, cheese, ice cream (Gelateria 3Bis), spices (Spice Mountain), wine and even your pimms for just £4 a cup!"

"Let's not sugarcoat it — doughnuts are filthy and that’s why we love them. These bad boys at Borough Market mean business. They come with cream bursting out the sides so a napkin is essential."

"Another Tower Hamlets market being held back, a return to the vintage clothing and street food paradise that is Brick Lane is likely at least another weekend away. We’ll keep you updated on any more openings we hear of – and with the summer starting to begin in earnest, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that wandering lazily through the stalls, street food in hand, becomes a reality very soon. Also published on Medium."

"This East London stretch is best known for its abundance of curry houses, but it’s also the setting for an atmospheric Sunday market. Hop between stalls selling retro bric-a-brac and vintage items, as well as some fresh produce. Backyard Market and Sunday UpMarket in the Old Truman Brewery are offshoots of Brick Lane Market, showcasing arts and crafts, and a gastronomic array of food vendors."

"The best day to visit Brick Lane market is Sunday when the streets fill with stalls selling second-hand goods. Popular with young Londoners on the lookout for a bargain this market has a lively artistic vibe. Whilst browsing you’ll also stumble upon various street performers to entertain you and discover good value places to eat."

"This really is one of the most unusual things to do in Hertfordshire. A completely unique sight, this Roman Theatre is a theatre with a stage, rather than the usual Amphitheatre which we may be used to seeing from Roman times. It was built in 140AD and is the only one of its type in the whole of the UK."

"Source: Photo by user Carole Raddato used under CC BY-SA 2.0. This stop is definitely worth a visit as this is the only Roman theater of its kind, in Britain. Once surrounded by shops and houses, the foundations of which you can still see here, this is not your usual Roman amphitheater."

"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."

"For eight years running, the 99 Comedy Club has won the award for ‘Best Comedy Club’ in the city for its stellar lineup of talent and the many LOLs that have reverberated around its walls. As the flagship 99 Comedy Club (the other is in Covent Garden), there’s always a buzz at this West London venue; almost every evening features funny humans, some of whom have residencies. Along with a coveted seat, which you can nab from £7, you can order various foodie packages like prosecco and a two-course dinner or pizza."

"A multiple winner of the Best London Comedy Club award, you’ll get a top class evening of entertainment with the likes of Russell Howard, Lee Mack, Stephen K. Amos, Andy Parsons, Jason Manford, Rich Hall, Lenny Henry among those to have performed. You’re more likely to see some of the world’s up-and-coming comedians do their stuff at the venue in the heart of Leicester Square or at additional venues in Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus the 99 Club has expanded to."

"There's top notch comedy at the 99 Club every day of the week. Even when they're big news, comedians continue to play here — of late the great James Acaster has been putting on something of a residency. Always good to sign up to their mailing list to get the last minute heads-up on their sooper-seekrit special guests too."