Best Museums in The Grove

"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."

"Art soothes the soul and London has the luxury of accommodating some exceptional exhibitions. However, aside from ever-changing exhibitions from the likes of Louise Bourgeois, Sarah Lucas and Ai Weiwei, Tate Modern harbours another breathtaking element – the viewing level. The 360ᵒ views across central London coupled with stunning exhibitions makes the Tate Modern one of my favourite romantic places in London."

"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."

"The National Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world. Constructed in 1937, it attracts more than 4 million tourists yearly. Unlike many other museums, this one is free to enter, so you don't have to worry about paying an admission fee."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The National Gallery is open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It closes at 9:00 pm on Fridays. It’s closed on 1 January and from 24 to 26 December."

"Tate Britain, which opened its doors in 1897, has a quite incredible collection of art on display in its beautiful riverside building, including paintings by William Blake, John Constable, Whistler and Millais (his iconic painting of Ophelia). It also has the largest number of Turner paintings in the world. A truly wonderful location, and a really first class selection If you want to visit both Tates on the same day, you can take a boat ride from one museum to the other, a much recommended trip in itself."

"Also known as the National Gallery of British Art, it holds the country’s most extensive collections of national historic art, as well as contemporary. The gallery is also known for holding the prestigious and career-defining Turner Prize exhibition, which features the work of its four winning British visual artists each year. Catch it if you can to be among the first to see the next national treasure of the art world."

"Located in Millbank, The Tate Britain is another of the best free museums in London. The Tate Modern might be the cool new kid on the block, but personally I prefer its more austere sister museum further downriver, the Tate Britain. The museum opened in 1897 and has been welcoming visitors to admire a huge collection of British art from the Tudor times onwards since."

"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."

"This gallery comprises a collection of portraits of historically important and famous British people from throughout time. Think Shakespeare, Edward VI, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, to name a few."

"Funnily enough, the Museum of Childhood is actually first and foremost geared towards adults who want to relive their own childhoods, but don’t worry – they’ve planned ahead and know that many adults will be bringing their own children. For toddlers, there are interactive exhibits featuring toys and games at the Museum of Childhood, as well as drop-in activities including crafting and storytelling to get your toddler involved in some educational play."

"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."

"With all there is to see at Kew Gardens, you might easily miss the attractive red brick building housing the Marianne North Gallery. But don’t hesitate to take a look inside — the exquisite interior, which incorporates different kinds of wood and stenciled floor tile, is home to more than 800 works of botanical art. Marianne North was a wealthy, single Victorian woman who traveled the world solo in pursuit of interesting plants to paint."

"Another attraction in Kew Gardens, this gallery is dedicated to the work of Marianne North, a Victorian artist who specialised in botanical paintings. The walls of the gallery are covered in her stunning and colourful designs, which show off her incredible natural talent."

"This stylish country-house hotel would be worth a visit for the views alone, but as it happens, the food is as pretty as the outlook. The menu blends classics with more modern concepts, but whichever you go for, you can bet it’ll be gorgeously-presented as Head Chef Jean-Didier Gouges is big on using flowers and herbs for presentation."

"You don't have to wait until Shrove Tuesday to get your pancake fix - Dalston's Cafe Route serve their Middle Eastern-inspired pancakes all year long. Yes, you read that right. Cafe Route specialise in hearty Middle Eastern cuisine, so forget lemon and sugar this year and go rogue with buttermilk pancakes topped with tahini, pekmez, clotted cream and crunchy pistachios."

"With large plates, small plates, antipasti and sharing boards, this Hackney restaurant is one of London's top lunch spots. Stop in for a quick bite from the deli, or settle in for a long one, this friendly local restaurant is a delightful hangout."

"Many of the regal residences created by the Rothschild family throughout Europe are gone now, but this one is still a vision of the 19th…"

"Occupying disused bare-brick railway arches in Waterloo underground station, The Vaults is a striking space for alternative arts and immersive theatre. As well as jazz sets, indie plays, and alien-themed musicals, you can discover a continual rotation of art in its tunnels. This unique contemporary art gallery is said to feature artists who ‘have a natural affinity for the unusual, the daring, and the unknown’, and that is easy to see."

"October Gallery is a major proponent of the Transvangarde art movement - spreading Western Avant-garde beyond the West. It’s responsible for giving platform to several hundred African artists, voices, intellectuals and poets. The space is bright white walls and shiny wooden flooring."