Free Museums in Pilgrims' Hatch

"The Tate Modern opened in 2000, so it is one of the newer free museums in London, but it has wasted no time in establishing a great name for itself. Situated inside an old power station on the South Bank, it is one of London’s most impressive museums. A towering monolith of art on the banks of the Thames."

"Giles Gilbert Scott (1963), Herzog & de Meuron (2000, 2016)📕 Page 199. Before the National Theatre was erected, the south bank was a polluted and horrible place. Factories pestered an already problematic area, historically known for its prisons and brothels."

"The Tate Modern is London’s centre for modern and contemporary art. It showcases world-class paintings, photographs and performance art – and it offers stunning views of the River Thames. You can experience all of this completely free."

"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."

"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."

"Untitled One Hundred Spaces 1995, Resin Various dimensions ©Pinault Collection Rachel Whiteread, Photo ©Tate. Between 1897 and 1932 Tate Britain was known as the National Gallery of British Art and from 1932 to 2000 as the Tate Gallery. The art gallery is located on Millbank in the City of Westminster in London."

"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."

"While the Tate Modern focuses on more recent art, Tate Britain is all about the past with a big collection of historical British art."

"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."

"Where else but the National Portrait Gallery can you find oils of the Brontë sisters and William Shakespeare alongside black and white photographs of the Spice Girls and a mixed media portrait of J.K."

"This excellent branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum displays one of the best collections of childhood-related objects in the world. Kids are fascinated by the immense number of dolls, dolls’ houses through the ages, vintage board games, construction toys (Lego, Meccano), battery-powered robots and favourite toys from the 20th century, decade by decade. Action figures, teddy bears, puppets, magic lanterns and MicroMachines are among the highlights here."

"This museum is every child’s dream whether they’re into dolls’ houses, Star Wars figures, Lego or electric train sets. Here in Bethnal Green, you’ll find one of the world’s best collections of toys both old and new so you’ll see everything from robots and rocking horses to computer games, puppet theatres and chemistry sets. There are hundreds of toys on display but also plenty of toys to play with and things to do."

"The Museum of Childhood is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum which specialises in objected designed by and for children such as toys, clothes and more. Nearest tube station: Bethnal Green."

"Children can handle real torture devices at the world’s most notorious medieval prison at this museum in Southwark, on the original site of The Clink Prison, which dates back to 1144. You’ll find out about a day in the life of a medieval prisoner and hear tales of some of the gruesome prisoners. If you’re feeling brave, it’s a great place to spot ghosts: the prison is reputed to be one of the UK’s most haunted locations and is renowned for its ghostly sightings…"

"A rather arresting spot amongst London museums, The Clink spent some 600 years as one of the city’s most feared prisons. Far from the charming spot it is today, Southwark used to be a lawless place; prostitutes, heretics, and drunkards all graced the cells of The Clink at one point or another."

"The Clink Prison Museum was a prison in England that started in the 12th century and operated through 1780. Today, it is the oldest surviving prison in the country. Notable prisoners of The Clink include Father John Gerard, Father John Jones, Farther George Blackwell, and Edward Knott."

"Toddlers can let their imaginations run wild at the UK’s first Story Centre. A day pass includes entry to the Story World and Story Garden where you see tales like The Gruffalo brought to life by Story Builders. There are also storytelling sessions and family exhibitions which you can book onto."

"If you’re a keen shopper, you will want to hit the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street. But also make sure you experience luxurious afternoon tea in London , take an offbeat food tour, sample street art, and hit a few alternative bars in town. Check out our Guide To London for loads of offbeat and fun ideas of things to do in London."

"This inventively redesigned museum vibrantly relates the history of the British Army, from the perspective of its servicemen and servicewomen. The museum reopened with a big bang in 2017, with five brand-new state-of-the-art galleries, including the Soldier Gallery, the Army Gallery, the Society Gallery (exploring society's relationship with the army), the Battle Gallery (the army at war) and the Insight Gallery (on the impact of the British Army through the world). Free talks, workshops and tours are also hosted: see the website for details."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"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."

"In a nutshell: Rotisserie chicken heads to Parson's Green Where is it?. 271 New Kings Road, London SW6 4RD Why should you care?. After launching in Notting Hill and Hoxton, the next outpost for French rotisserie restaurant Cocotte is Parson's Green."

"An Instagrammer's dream spot (and popular with the Made in Chelsea crew too) the Ivy Group brought in an award-winning designer to create the space at their King's Road restaurant. There's a covered upper terrace and a cosy firepit when the weather's not all that, but really it's just an evergreen dream out here."

"Located on the desirable King’s Road, The Ivy Chelsea Garden brings sophisticated all-day dining to the heart of Chelsea. This outpost comes complete with an abundance of verdant foliage, as well as a pergola and water feature.theivychelseagarden.com"

"The Ivy Chelsea Garden dazzles a chic crowd of diners with its venue, light-filled space on King's Road with an orangery and leafy garden terrace in the back ideal for warmer-weath..."