Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Lightwater

"From Egyptian mummies and pieces of the Parthenon to the game-changing Rosetta Stone and an enormous Easter Island figure, the British Museum in London's West End—covering a whopping 18.5 acres—is not just one of London’s best museums, but one of the world’s. Organized by geographic territories, modern-day Indiana Joneses could spend weeks exploring these halls, which date back to 1753. Preplan your visit by mapping out the highlights in advance."

"No visit to London would be complete without a trip to the British Museum. It’s home to over 8 million artefacts, including the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Marbles. There are so many things to see in this museum that even a full day spent here will barely scratch the surface."

"The British Museum has an amazing collection of human history from the past two million years. Here you can find artefacts from ancient Egypt, ceramics from China and the Rosetta Stone. Entry to the permanent exhibitions is completely free."

"This museum located in Brompton is positively regal – and not just because it was named after (and opened by) Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert. The huge Victorian Gothic building is striking enough (fittingly so for a museum dedicated to design) – but wait until you get inside. The V&A has a broad collection loosely focused around art and design, with more than two million pieces in total spread out over five acres."

"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."

"Located in what was once Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the Thames, Tate Modern is one of the city's most loved attractions. You can enjoy the permanent collection, which includes works by Pollock, Warhol, Matisse and Picasso, for free. The 10th-floor viewing deck of the Blavatnik Building offers wonderful panoramic views over the Thames and beyond, and the building itself is amazing."

"Along the south bank (always worth a wander), you can stop in at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern Art Gallery, and even quickly cross the Millennium bridge for a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Globe and St. Paul’s Cathedral are both included on the London Pass, whilst the Tate Modern is free to enter."

"Ranking among the top art museums in the world, London's National Gallery represents an almost complete survey of European painting from 1260 until 1920. The museum's greatest strengths are in its collections of Dutch Masters and Italian Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries. Among its highlights are a cartoon (preliminary sketch) of the Madonna and Child by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo's The Entombment, Botticelli's Venus and Mars, van Gogh's Sunflowers, and The Water-Lily Pond by Monet."

"Housing masterpieces by painters including van Gogh, Renoir, da Vinci and Michelangelo, the National Gallery is home to one of the world’s most impressive art collections, and sees over six million visitors every year. Avoid the hordes by visiting on weekday mornings or Friday evenings. Whatever time you go, the permanent collections are always free."

"The National Gallery is the jewel in the crown of London’s Trafalgar Square. This impressive neoclassical building houses paintings from the mid-13th century to 1900. There’s art from all over Europe here, and every period from the Italian Renaissance to the Impressionist era is well represented."

"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."

"This classical gallery was opened in 1897 and is home to iconic British art from the 16th century to the present day, including works by the Pre-Raphaelites, J. M. W. Turner, Henry Moore and William Blake. The Tate Boat runs between the Tate Modern and the Tate Britain every 40 minutes, taking you through the heart of the city. Get a spot on the outdoor deck for the best views of both sides of the river."

"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."

"Housed in the old Hampstead Central Library on Finchley Road, Camden Arts Centre began life as a local initiative, providing art classes for the community. Now, it is a powerhouse of contemporary art showing ambitious exhibitions by well-known British and international artists such as Kara Walker, Rose English, Ben Rivers and Jennifer Tee. The bookshop stocks a range of artist’s editions, and the garden is the perfect spot for a sunny afternoon."

"In 1965 a former library was converted into a gallery to promote contemporary art. The exhibitions feature emerging artists, international artists debuting in London, significant historic figures who have inspired contemporary practice, and group shows relevant to current debate. Arkwright Road, NW3 6DG Free entrycamdenartscentre.org"

"Everyone recognises the name of this groundbreaking London gallery, which is responsible for launching the careers of many young artists. The Saatchi Gallery is probably best known for its role in turning the YBAs (Young British Artists), from Hirst to Emin, into global superstars at the height of the Nineties - but it's still captivating London’s art lovers with challenging contemporary art exhibitions to this day. Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, Chelsea, SW3 4RY, saatchigallery.com"

"The Saatchi Gallery is a London museum for contemporary art. The museum's displays have gone through different eras and artists, to include Young British Artists and American-based contemporary artists. Saatchi Gallery has a tendency to showcase unknown artists, and has often been seen as a launching pad for many careers."

"The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture is a London museum that is home to an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century home decorative arts. The Arts Council England recognized the collection as providing outstanding international value. The MoDA also has the Sir James Maude Richards Library of architectural books on a long-term loan."

"A stately home with as opulent an exterior as the art it holds within, Somerset house was once a palace for the Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour in 1547. Now one of the more grandiose of London’s institutions, the palace hosts exhibitions from all over the world and continually draws enormous crowds. The gallery is “known for the breadth of cultural collaborations across photography, fashion, art, film and music."

"Every winter, skating at the ice rink in Somerset House is one of the most fun things to do in London. There are several other ice rinks around London (including at the Tower of London and Natural History Museum) but it’s pretty hard to top Somerset House. The courtyard is a great place to spend time in summer too, when th fountains in the courtyard are a great place to splash and cool off."

"London is bursting at the seams with historic architecture, but the neo-classical Somerset House is a true standout. Built in the late 1770s, it’s home to art exhibitions, open-air concerts, and 55 sparking fountains. It’s worth a visit in the winter, too: the courtyard hosts one of the world’s best skating rinks."

"From fully-qualified doctors to avid viewers of Holby City, this museum will remind you of how surgery used to be a whole lot more gruesome back in the day. Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre is in Southwark, dating back more than 300 years. Nowadays you can tour the theatre, which has been kept exactly as it was when it was used during a time of no anaesthetic (ow), no antiseptic (ew) and certainly no antibiotics (crikey)."

"The V&A's Theatre Collections hold the UK's national collection of material about live performance in the UK since Shakespeare's day, covering drama, dance, musical theatre, circus, music hall, rock and pop, and other forms of live entertainment. Theatre and Performance galleries dedicated to the performing arts, display works of art, costumes, ephemera, video recordings, puppets, posters and photographs."

"The blood and viscera has long since been scoured away, making this museum a fascinating place to visit. Pioneering medical techniques were trialled here back in the day, and today, it holds the crown as the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe. Tickets for adults are £7.50."

"The elegant redbrick exterior of the smallest of Britain's royal palaces seems almost humble when compared with the grandeur of, say,…"

"It is believed that the first St Magnus The Martyr Church in London was built in 1128-33. Several wooden London Bridges were constructed during the early years of the building, but they never seemed to last. Finally, in 1209, the Old Medieval London Bridge opened."

"This church near London Bridge on the north side was founded around 1067 and stood at the foot of the old London Bridge. (In the churchyard lie some of the old stones from the bridge. ). As such, it was an important meeting place in medieval times."

"This church used to stand at one end of the legendary London Bridge and has a stone from it outside, plus a model of it inside the door 2"

"A trip here offers more than just plants, as you can also visit art galleries, the Great Pagoda, and tour Kew Palace, a former royal residence located within the gardens. You can explore at your own pace or join one of the garden’s guided walk tours that come free with entry. This is a must-see for any garden lover. Kew Gardens are located in outer London and can be reached by public transportation."

"The Great Pagoda was built in 1762 as a gift for Princess Augusta. It was designed by Sir William Chambers at a time when Asian architecture was beginning to become fashionable in Europe. Kew Gardens: The Pagoda and Bridge (1762) by Richard Wilson RA, 1714–1782, British, active in Italy (1750–56)Yale Center for British Art"

"The Great Pagoda was completed in 1762 as a gift for Princess Augusta, who founded Kew Gardens. When it was constructed, 80 dragons carved from gilded wood adorned the roofs of its 10 floors. The dragons were removed in 1784."

"In response to the second lockdown Le Comptoir Robuchon began delivering its signature high-end food for lucky Londoners. The restaurant endorses the legacy of chef Joël Robuchon – who held the accolade of the most Michelin starred chef in the world at one point. Menu highlights include ‘Le Thon’, a smoked tuna tart with avocado guacamole and citrus dressing, ‘Le Poireau’, a smoked leek dish with mimosa eggs and Shitake mushroom and ‘Le Burger’, which combines beef with foie gras and peppers."

"Not all romantic restaurants need to have candlelight and dark corners. Consider Le Comptoir Robuchon instead, a light, bright, marble and velvet-clad temple to classic high-end French cuisine by the late, great Joel Robuchon. It's on the pricier end of the spectrum but so worth it for the indulgent flavours, rich dishes and sleek surroundings."

"A stylish restaurant with a distinctly modern approach to French cooking. L’Atelier exudes charm and elegance, which explains why it’s the only Michelin star restaurant in Covent Garden. Tackle the eight-course tasting menu if you’ve got the time (and funds)."

"Pied à Terre has held at least one Michelin star since 1993, making it one of the oldest Michelin-starred restaurants in London. Restaurants need to evolve, however, and with an imaginative young chef at the helm in Asimakis Chaniotis, who mixes classical French and Greek cooking, it remains contemporary."

"One of London's oldest Michelin-starred restaurants – it’s held at least one star since 1993 – has a fantastic vegetarian/vegan menu showcasing the assured classical French with a touch of Greek cooking of chef Asimakis Chaniotis, served in one of the city’s most fun dining rooms."

"Gorgeously gourmet, and surprisingly reasonable amongst French restaurants with Michelin stars. Pied à Terre’s lunch menu is £29.50 for a starter and main, or £37.50 for three courses, which is likely as cheap as you’ll get for this standard of cooking."