Best Arts and Culture Places in Stanford Rivers

"The British Museum in London’s Bloomsbury was founded in 1753 and was the first national museum in the world to cover all fields of human knowledge. The impressive museum now has a permanent collection of over eight million artefacts which span two million years of human history, art and culture. And if the museum’s extensive free collections aren’t enough to draw you in, then its architecture certainly will."

"The Great Court at the British Museum in London|© David Coleman / Alamy Stock Photo. The world’s first national public museum, which has always been free to all “studious and curious persons”, opened its doors in 1753. The impressive Greek Revivalist building, with its imposing colonnades, is a teaser to the 8 million wondrous objects contained within."

"One of the world’s oldest museums of history and culture, grown from the collection of one man who was interested in everything. Exhibitions include abstractions like life and death and showcases of Ancient Iran, the prehistory of Europe, the Middle East, the Rosetta Stone, Lindow Man, the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo ship burial."

"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."

"Sitting grandly on the banks of the Thames is Tate Modern.Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art has a unique design due to the building's previous life as a power station. Inside, you'll find temporary exhibitions by top artists from Damien Hirst to Gauguin and restaurants offering fabulous views across the city."

"The Tate Modern is free to enter and is home to an extensive collection of modern art dating from the 1900s to present day. Quick Tip: The restaurant at the Tate Modern offers a beautiful view of London. The museum is also open later on Fridays and Saturdays."

"The National Gallery has Sunday storytelling sessions on the ‘magic carpet’ aimed at under-fives, stopping in front of a different painting each time. There are also other activities for older kids, especially in holidays, plus trails to follow (although paintings do tend to be moved around so tracking them down can be more challenging than expected). Stopping to colour and draw is positively encouraged."

"One of London’s most iconic galleries takes centre stage in London’s most iconic square!. While The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, this 200-year old building also stands as a work of art and piece of history itself."

"A day is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights: Cardiff Castle, the National Museum, and Cardiff Bay. Learn about Welsh history, culture, and language on a walking tour or by talking to locals. Spend the evening in Cardiff."

"Having celebrated its 1000th birthday in 2014, it’s fair to say Borough Market is one of London’s more established haunts. Located under a maze of Victorian railway arches and open Monday to Saturday, Borough Market is stuffed with lovely food and food-lovers, featuring cuisine from all corners of the world. It offers everything you need for a memorable grab-and-go breakfast or lunch, but is also a good place for a simple wander."

"The Museum of London is the world's largest urban museum, packed with historic objects and exhibitions telling the story of London's past. Discover prehistoric London, the city under Roman rule, and the grandeur of medieval London. Don't miss the permanent galleries, spanning before London was built to the present day world city."

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"What makes the National Portrait Gallery so compelling is its familiarity; in many cases, you’ll have heard of the subject (royals, scientists, politicians, celebrities) or the artist (Andy Warhol, Annie Leibovitz, Lucian Freud) but not necessarily recognise the face. Highlights include the famous ‘Chandos portrait’, thought to be of William Shakespeare (room 4), the first artwork the gallery acquired (in 1856), and a touching sketch of novelist Jane Austen by her sister (room 18)."

"The gallery houses pictures of the major (and not-so major) figures of the nation’s history from King Henry VIII to David Beckham. It makes a great introduction to British history for both kids and adults. Kid-friendly audio tours are available."

"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."

"In spite of their best efforts not to categorise the work they show, StolenSpace has quite a name for showcasing the best street art in the city. This unique artist-run area lies in the famous Truman Brewery building on Osborn Street and has a history of entertaining energetic and high-profile programs. Over the years, the likes of Shepherd Fairey, D*Face and David Bray have all exhibited here at some time."

"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."

"Situated on the Southside of the Strand in central London, overlooking the RiverThames, SomersetHouse is a major art and cultural center in the heart of London. For photographers, this is the most amazing light scenario, with white faded walls and floors. It’s basically a huge outdoor studio, with beautiful light bouncing off everywhere."

"Somerset House is home to London's Courtauld Gallery (currently closed for refurbishment) with its collection of Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings, and The Embankment Galleries with a rotating programme of exhibitions dedicated to art, design, fashion and photography. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"Take a river boat to Embankment Pier to admire Somerset House on the Thames. The Neoclassical building houses a working arts centre with fascinating exhibitions and events."

"This neo-Gothic house built in the late 1890s for William Waldorf Astor, of hotel fame and once the richest man in America, showcases art from UK museum collections outside the capital. Visit as much to see the opulent house (it's astonishing) as the collections on display, but note it's only open for a few months each year for the Winter Exhibition Programme (see the website). Check out the bronze putti (cherubs) chatting on old telephones on the steps!"

"The first thing to be said about this homely, two-room East Sheen venue is that, although it is vegetarian, it uses some cheeses with animal rennet, including Parmesan — chef-proprietor Emerson Amélio de Oliveira strongly believes these have a superior flavour. That said, the eco-friendly venue, with sustainability at its heart, has by far the most inventive vegetarian menu in London. Oliveira comes from a Brazilian-Italian background; and this is reflected in dishes such as hand-made pastas and risottos, alongside the use of Amazonian fruit and veg."

"A new vegan operation linked to outstanding Chinese restaurants Xi’an Impression and Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles, Tofu Vegan promises to do what so many restaurants couldn’t: succeed on Upper Street in Islington. Dongbei sweet potato noodles; hot and fragrant deep-fried asparagus; and Chongqing-style mock chicken feature, but the star is shimmering dòufu huā, a wibbly cloud of beige saturated with buzzy chilli oil and black beans."

"Mildreds is a bit of a classic, having served vegetarian meals in Soho since 1988. It now caters to vegans too, offering up flavors from Asia, South and Central America and the Middle East, alongside British classics and Mildreds’ famous burgers. I highly recommend the Sri Lankan sweet potato curry, and the shimeji mushroom gyoza dumplings are delicious, too."

"Vegetarian haven Mildreds is delivering from its King’s Cross and Dalston locations. There’s a vegan Sri Lankan curry, mock duck bahn mi, heat-at-home meals, and more."

"From humble beginnings of brewing on an industrial estate to serving up award-winning beers from their two taprooms in Walthamstow (not to mention plenty of other places across the city too) Wild Card was a hobby that got way out of hand, but we’re so glad that it did. Their wide range of beers include a 5.8% Cashmere IPA that’s double dry hopped, a Lime Berliner Weisse that’s got a hefty squeeze of citrus, and a pale ale that makes for easy drinking. They’ve also got low-and-no options but we only want the hard stuff."