Best Museums in Ayot Green

"This former oil-fired power station sits smugly in the center of the South Bank, knowing that you’re interested in what’s going on inside. It’s filled to the rafters with paintings and sculptures by the likes of Picasso, Dali, Warhol, and Rothko, all set off perfectly by that gritty industrial interior. Of the current ticketed shows, The Making of Rodin (until November 21, tickets around $22) is a must examining the master sculptor’s more experimental side and his use of plaster, featuring over 200 works on loan from the Musée Rodin that haven’t been seen outside of France until now."

"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."

"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!"

"At almost 200 years old, not only does the UK’s most-visited gallery hold one of the most valuable European art collections in the world, The National Gallery also holds a position as one of London’s most treasured pieces of architecture. Priceless artworks, like ‘Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers’ by Van Gogh and ‘Virgin of the Rocks’ by di Vinci, are surrounded by impressive marble pillars, golf-leaf arches, frescoed ceilings, and Victorian glass roofing. With over 2,300 paintings dating from the 13th to the 19th century, it is an eden for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike."

"The crowning glory of Trafalgar Square, London's National Gallery is a vast space filled with western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"Anyone with even a passing interest in art will want to put this near the top of their to-do lists while visiting London, for it is truly…"

"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!)."

"Before Google or Wikipedia, the British came here 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."

"Not to be confused with the preceding listing, this gallery does what it says on the tin: housing a huge collection of portraits that depict important and famous British people from throughout history. It was the first portrait gallery in the whole world when it opened in 1856, so this place really is the OG. The gallery is set to close for three years, so if you want to see it before 2023, you better get there sharp-ish."

"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."

"While taking the kids to a museum housing toys they can’t touch may seem like a disaster, the V&A Museum of Childhood makes an extra effort to include interactive exhibits that will keep little hands busy. Adults can enjoy nostalgic displays of dolls’ houses and rag dolls dating back to the 1600s, while kids can try rocking horses and play with Lego. The museum also has free daily activities such as 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."

"The Bankside Gallery in London was opened in 1980 by Her Majesty, the Queen. The public gallery, located near the Thames, houses the Royal Watercolour Society and Royal Society of Painter Printmakers. The gallery displays rotating exhibits focused on modern watercolours and prints."

"The Jack the Ripper Museum is devoted to one of London's most notorious and terrorizing serial killers. The museum recreates the setting in which the unsolved Jack the Ripper murders took place in 1888. The collection has original objects related to the crimes."

"This beautiful little 18th-century church was James Gibbs’ first commission. It sits in the middle of a busy traffic island on the Strand"

"For over 300 years, Burgh House has been one of London’s most iconic residences. It was originally built as a lavish home and lived in by characters including Elsie Bambridge, the daughter of Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling. Today, Burgh House is open to the public and houses the Hampstead Museum, a small but thorough local history museum."

"The Burgh House & Hampstead Museum is a London historic house and museum. Burgh House was first built in 1704. Famous inhabitants include Dr. George Williamson, Captain Constantine Evelyn Benson, the daughter of author Rudyard Kipling, and, in the late 1800s, the Royal East Middlesex Militia, who used it as their headquarters."

"Visitors to the Burgh House & Hampstead Museum can try on period costumes|© Ethel Davies / Alamy Stock Photo. The Burgh House & Hampstead Museum is a popular place for families with young children. This historic property has period costumes visitors can try on, a reading corner and a museum trail to explore."

"There are various themed markets held throughout the year at the Southbank Centre, but the most regular two are the food market and the book market. The food market offers up plenty of street food from around the world and tends to be a hit with people after a lunch on-the-go while visiting the area (which is home to iconic landmarks such as the London Eye), while bookworms are sure to find plenty of new wish list-worthy reads at the impressive book market with everything from classics to non-fiction. When to visit: The food market is open Fridays (12-8pm), Saturdays (11am-8pm) and Sundays (12-6pm), while the book market is open daily until 7pm."

"London’s South Bank has seen an explosion of development in the past decade that goes well beyond the London Eye. While the Eye is still the biggest attraction drawing families across the Thames, restaurants and a vibrant waterfront are keeping them there all afternoon. Even better, the Southbank Centre Food Market, located behind Southbank Centre, is introducing local and visiting families to cuisines from across the globe."

"Another market for food lovers is set up across an outdoor space at Southbank Centre, with both street food and fresh produce to tempt passers-by. A trip to the market can be combined with further exploration of the Southbank Centre, which continually hosts cultural exhibitions and events. Southbank Centre Market: Friday Midday-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday and Monday Midday-6pm."

"A bastion of old Soho, 300-year-old Berwick Street Market is a strip dotted with shouty fruit-sellers, florists and fabric merchants in among the 20 or so street food vendors. Snaking lunchtime queues are a daily sight with local workers, tourists and shoppers hankering for goodies from the likes of Afghan Delights, Greek2Go, Paella Fellas, Savage Salads and The Jerk Drum. There’s no seating and not all the food traders are open every day, but Soho’s still swell for wandering."

"There’s been a market on Berwick St in Soho since the late 1770’s. There are a few good street food stalls, especially the tiny Pit Stop Cafe trailer at the south end of the market serves excellent Chinese and Malaysian food. Try their fried sea bass."

"Source: Photo by user Tarquin Binary used under CC BY-SA 2.5. Berwick Street Market has been around since the 18th century. Located in the neighbourhood of SoHo, this street market is now full of trendy stalls with plenty of greet food to try."

"Known as the place angsty teenagers, punks and creatives go to hang out, Camden Market is a must-visit in London if you want to experience an energetic and engaging counterculture. Made up of a number of adjoining markets, you’ll be able to find iconic band t-shirts, sterling silver jewellery, tattoo parlours and bespoke boutiques selling 1950s clothing and serious rock and roll attire. Camden Lock is the place to go for eating, with a huge range of street food stalls selling cuisine from all corners of the globe."

"Camden Town is home to a series of markets, encompassing an astonishingly eclectic array of goods to suit all tastes. Pick up some vintage clothes, handmade jewellery, music, or bric-a-brac. The market around Camden Lock features designers and artists, with a selection of international food vendors, too."

"A post shared by Angel Central (@angel_central) on Mar 5, 2016 at 5:33am PST. Angel Central, formerly known as the N1 Shopping Centre, offers shopping, dining, and entertainment in Islington. Located just off the hip Upper Street, Angel Central’s trademark is the giant set of metallic wings that hover over the shopping mall, making for an excellent selfie location!"