Free Museums in Welwyn

"For those who prefer more contemporary art to classical works, head to the Tate Modern on the south bank of the River Thames. Located inside of the former Bankside Power Station, the Tate Modern is Britain’s national gallery of international modern art, housing a huge collection of contemporary and modern artwork from 1900 to the present day, with artists including Picasso, DalÍ­, Pollock and Warhol. The Tate Modern is the most visited art museum in Britain and the second most visited museum in the UK after the British Museum."

"Housed in an industrial power station at the foot of the River Thames, the Tate Modern is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious contemporary and modern art museums. Exhibiting British and international works dating from 1900 to today, the Tate Modern displays contemporary masters like Rothko, Matisse, Picasso, and Dali, alongside modern mavericks like Yayoi Kusama, Tracey Emin, and Marina Abramovic. The cavernous and imposing Turbine Hall plays host to temporary exhibitions of considerable scale."

"Modern art finds its spiritual home at Tate Modern – the most popular art gallery in the world and the UK’s most-visited attraction. Unlike Tate Britain, which houses a permanent collection of historic British art, Tate Modern is all about the here and now. Everything you’ll find within the gallery is modern art, dating only as far back as 1900."

"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."

"Home to over 11,000 portraits, this delightful art gallery focusses on famous British people through the ages and is located not too far from Trafalgar Square. A remarkable place to wander around, portraits, photos, sculptures and drawings of some of the country’s most influential and well-known figures gaze upon you as you make your way through the galleries. While its most famous portrait is undoubtedly the painting of William Shakespeare, more contemporary pieces do not look out of place alongside artworks that date back hundreds of years."

"Essential building works have closed the National Portrait Gallery until spring 2023, but before Google or Wikipedia, this is where the British came to put a face to the names of famous historical figures from the country's history. As such, the paintings are prized more for their subjects rather than their artists. Highlights include portraits of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth II, the latter courtesy of pop art sensation Andy Warhol."

"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."

"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."

"In the East end of London is the V&A satellite, the Museum of Childhood. The museum has been collecting childhood related objects since 1872 and is home to one of the world’s finest collections of children’s toys, doll’s houses, games and costumes dating back to the 1600s. There’s plenty to keep kids busy with free daily activities including arts and crafts, tours, storytelling and treasure hunts."

"In Bethnal Green, this offshoot of the popular V&A museum is dedicated to the childhood experience. Your inner child will love exploring the amazing collection of toys and games from antique dolls’ houses to 1970s action figures. Kids are sure to especially love the hands-on exhibits – little wonder it’s one of the best places to visit with kids in London."

"Also known as the Temple of Mithras, this museum is centered around the remains of an ancient Roman temple in the City of London, left from the days of Roman rule, and is one of the lesser-known free museums in the capital. Named as one of the UK’s most significant archaeological sites, the museum showcases the ancient temple and a selection of interesting Roman artefacts found during excavations, including fragments of writing-tablets which feature the first known reference to London and the earliest hand-written document in Britain."

"One of London’s quirkier and lesser-known spots is literally a blend of old and new. The London Mithraeum is a museum centred around the ruins of a Roman Temple and is located, rather oddly, underneath the shiny glass Bloomberg Buildings in the middle of the city. A visit to the Mithraeum is not just looking at old artefacts, but a full on sensory experience."

"Year Built: c.240 CE Location: Modern-day Walbrook Purpose:  Temple/sanctuary Still Standing:  No – only partial ruins remain. photo source: Wikimedia Commons. The Temple of Mithras is one of the few remnants leftover from the Roman Empire’s time in the area and is one of the oldest buildings ever discovered in London."

"One of London's most beloved art collections, the Courtauld is to your right as you pass through the archway into the grounds of the…"

"Why: This smart US import follows its transatlantic forebears by focusing on USDA, British and Irish beef butchered on the premises and hung in an impressive dry-ageing room. Located in the art deco Adelphi Building, S&W's interior will knock your socks off with its parquet floors, leather banquettes and striking murals that create a gloriously decadent 1920s feel. Prices are hefty, but backed up by sizeable portions and slick service.Where:Smith & Wollensky, 1-11 John Adam Street, Covent Garden"

"The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam St, London WC2N 6HT, United Kingdom www.smithandwollensky.co.ukThis is the first London restaurant from American steakhouse chain Smith & Wollensky. Certainly more up market than some of the other diners we’ve covered. This is all about the steak, American style."

"The reign of the gourmet burger is over – the benevolent rule of the expertly crafted dirty burger is here. Nowhere in London is it done with such all-American flair than at Five Guys. Fifties diner vibes are pleasingly utilitarian, as straightforward as what happens back in the open kitchen: never-frozen patties are fried before your very eyes, chips are hand-cut daily and every burger is made to precise order, with as many or as little toppings as you like."

"Jerry Murrell and his sons (none of them named Moe) are the Five Guys behind this US burger chain, which is proving a hit this side of the pond. Expect garish red colours, noisy queues, Coke from a freestyle machine and endless pick-your-own toppings. It’s all very down-home Yankee."

"56 - 58 Essex Road London, N1 8LRItalophiles have yet another reason to visit Islington this summer as new restaurant Latteria opens its doors for dinner following stellar reviews for its breakfast and lunch offering. Inspired by the historic dairy stores and trattorias-turned-restaurants of Milan (where it got its name) the menu is a melting pot of regional Italian cooking: from the ‘pinsa’ style crispy dough of its Roman pizzas, to the traditional Milanese risotto infused with saffron. Highlights include the ever-popular cacio e pepe, served with thick cylinders of maccheroni pasta rather than the usual bucatini or spaghetti, and cheesier and peppery than most versions; the salty, fresh-tasting crab spaghetti with its hint of lemon oil, and the beef tagliata, whose rich rare slices of steak are perfectly complimented by the rocket and parmesan on top."

"London’s Spaghetti House is one of the capital’s premier restaurant chains. With 11 different locations, mostly in Central London, this kid-friendly group offers stonebaked pizzas, light bites and, of course, spaghetti dishes. Enjoy all of this plus more whilst not breaking the bank."

"Restaurants Italian Portobello Road. We guarantee your kids won’t feel embarrassed eating pizza with mum and dad at this ultra-hip, jam-packed eatery – there’s nothing like feeling part of the ‘in’ crowd, especially if you don’t have to be on your best behaviour. There are plenty of child-friendly flavours here, right down to the cinnamon doughnuts for afters."

"A post shared by Pizza East Portobello (@pizzaeastportobello). We'll always nod along happily to the prospect of eating pizza al fresco, but when those pizzas involve toppings like black truffle and veal meatball – as is the case at Pizza East Portobello – it turns to rabid excitement."