Best Arts and Culture Places in The Six Bells

"You could spend several lifetimes in the British Museum, Britain’s largest museum, without running out of artifacts to ponder. The collection is one of the largest in the world, arranged by location (Ancient Egypt, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Greece and Rome), and the list of big hitters includes the Rosetta Stone and other finds from Ancient Egypt, Asia and the Middle East. Come early on a weekday for a less crowded experience, pick one gallery and stick to it (or go for a guided “Highlights” tour), and plan to hit one of the day’s free 30-minute taster talks."

"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."

"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!"

"If modern culture is more your style, we highly recommend a visit to the Tate Modern. From William Blake to Andy Warhol, you’ll find some of the most revered pieces of modern art housed in this red-brick temple of Brutalist architecture. The interior is almost as striking as the art it houses, with the mesmerisingly modern turbine room welcoming you to an afternoon of cultural exploration."

"As entwined with the art world as paint, no list of London galleries would be complete without one incarnation of the Tate. Without a doubt the art giant of London, the Tate Modern is home to all things contemporary and unique and always worth a visit. “When my daughter Coco was born, we visited Tate Modern 11 times in her first 6 months!"

"Over on the South Bank, Tate Modern is not only one of the best museums in London, but also one of the most visited museums in the world. Tate Modern focuses on international modern and contemporary art. It also houses the national collection of British art from 1900 to the present day."

"Housing masterpieces by painters including van Gogh, Renoir, da Vinci and Michelangelo, the National Gallery is home to one of the world’s most impressive art collections, and sees over six million visitors every year. Avoid the hordes by visiting on weekday mornings or Friday evenings. Whatever time you go, the permanent collections are always free."

"Day 1: Arrive in London, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the London EyeDay 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, Covent GardenDay 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky GardenDay 4: National Gallery, Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Up at the O2Day 5: British Museum, Portobello Road Market, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrod’s"

"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."

"The greatest stories from the greatest city are spread across nine permanent galleries, taking you on a huge journey from London before London, through Roman and Medieval London, to key historic moments such as The Great Fire, and the evolution of London as the People’s City and a World City. Keeping with the theme of London education, guest exhibitions include Beast of London, which explores the fascinating role animals have played in shaping the capital, and The Clash: London Calling, where over 150 items showcase the history of London’s most iconic band."

"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."

"The Museum of London is a history museum focused on the history of London dating back to prehistoric times with a special focus on the city's social history. The Museum of London sits on the edge of the oldest part of the city, with the ruins of the Roman city wall in its sights. With more than six million objects in its collection, the museum houses the world's biggest urban history collection."

"Around the square you’ll also find two of London’s top art museums, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Both are highly recommended for art lovers and include works by some of the world’s most famous artists from Turner to Monet. Also nearby (hidden underground in St. Martin-in-the-Fields!) you can visit the London Brass Rubbing Centre (fee*) to learn about and create a brass rubbing to take home. A great activity for families (we had fun too!)."

"A post shared by National Portrait Gallery (@nationalportraitgallery). In art, there’s nothing more intimate than a portrait, and at this landmark London art gallery, you can get intimate with some very famous faces. From Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II, The National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of the United Kingdom’s most important monarchs."

"Located in an adjoining building to the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery houses a collection of historic portraits of important and famous British people. Nearest tube station: Charing Cross."

"As one of the pioneering studios to set up shop in Shoreditch at the start of the new millennium, Kate MacGarry has been at the fore of emerging talent since its initial conception on Redchurch Street, before proceeding to the present home just down the street. The gallery serves a number of artists who operate in a mixture of mediums, including the much-celebrated video artist Ben Rivers, as well as the performance fine art duo Chicks on Speed."

"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."

"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."

"Mukaddes Yadikar’s acclaimed Uyghur restaurant, is Walthamstow’s finest neighbourhood restaurant. It remains open for takeaway and is delivering through Deliveroo. A great option both for smaller and larger households with dishes such as chaomian, a stir-fry of short, cut lengths of noodle wokked with chunks of of beef, spring onion and tomato; and the trademark da pan ji (‘big plate chicken’): a remarkably deep, savoury, and spicy chicken and potato stew, teeming with Sichuan peppercorns, served with flat hand-pulled noodles."

"Brothers Barney and Gabriel set up their bakery biz just a month into the first lockdown and now they’ve got their very own shop off Portobello Road. And their savoury buns feature some of faves stuffed into a buttery croissant bun. Think the brunch classic of eggs royale and a chicken caesar lunchtime staple, to a taco bun fully loaded with chipotle pulled chicken, guacamole and sour cream."

"Picky kids need not worry because Battersea's London House is letting them feast on a delicious selection of treats. From meatballs and pasta and sausage and mash, to a sweet and sticky chocolate brownie, every taste can be catered for."

"This big, swanky restaurant in the City of London is worth a visit for the décor alone. The ornate cornicing is the ideal accompaniment to the upmarket Italian cuisine and polished service. An import from Russia (the restaurant’s founder is Sicily-born Remo Mazzucato), Piazza Italiana has brought with it a Muscovite enthusiasm for caviar, which is served with pancakes, quail eggs, crème fraiche and butter."

"This is the first London opening for a restaurant group that started out in Moscow. They'll have high end Italian food in a very impressive location."