Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Southwark

"One of the world’s greatest collections covering human history, art and culture, the museum has around eight million artefacts (only a tenth are ever on display) in almost 100 galleries. I’ve been visiting the British Museum since I was a child myself, fascinated by the Egyptian galleries – and the sheer scale of items on display, the variety and the fascinating stories behind so many artefacts mean that kids are likely to be just as enthralled, whether it’s by the mummified crocodile, the Easter Island Moai or something else. This is one I’d personally avoid during the early toddler years: preschoolers are old enough to be interested, babies young enough to snooze around, but chasing after enthusiastic 18-month-olds in a gallery of priceless artefacts makes me shiver."

"The British Museum has been offering free admission to ‘studious and curious persons’ since it was first founded in 1753. It’s the most popular museum in the country, with over 6 million visitors a year but don’t worry, it’s big – very big, so there’s room for everyone. Where to start with this magnificent, overwhelming place, dedicated to human history, art and culture?"

"See two million years of human history at the British Museum. From Egyptian mummies to samurai armour and the Sutton Hoo helmet, there’s something for everyone."

"The largest decorative arts and design museum in the world, the V&A galleries give you a tour of the world through ancient sculptures, a world-famous fashion collection, antiquities from Asia and a brand new Photography Centre. The exceptional interiors of the café were designed by James Gamble, William Morris and Edward Poynter, complete with stained-glass windows, painted tiles and elaborate decorative mouldings. And the building’s Italian Renaissance facade, visible from the John Madejski Garden, is a sight to behold."

"The V&A offers a decadent art and design extravaganza on a backpacker’s budget, attracting nearly 3.5 million visitors a year. Its vast permanent collection has something for everyone, be it textiles, paintings, architecture, ceramics, Japanese art, glass, china, furniture, or even wedding dresses. Even the building itself is a thing of beauty, making it one of the most instagrammable destinations in London."

"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!"

"The former Bankside Power Station was selected as the new gallery site in 1994. The original building, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, was constructed in two phases between 1947 and 1963. Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron were commissioned to convert the building into a gallery, making use of the power station’s iconic oil tanks."

"London's museum of modern art is located directly at the bank of river Thames. It offers besides several abstract masterpieces also the possibility to enjoy a great view over the city and there is no entrance fee. Find out which artworks you can admire here and where you have to look for the fantastic view ...Images, Info & Tips"

"It’s worth battling past the floating Yodas to get to the crown jewel of Trafalgar Square; the National Gallery. The formidable building sits resplendently behind the Fourth Plinth - always a talking point for art lovers - and contains some of the most famous paintings in the world. Here you’ll find works by Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Botticelli and Van Gogh - and you won’t be charged a penny to enjoy them."

"» National Gallery in London exhibits about 2,300 paintings, representing the European art from the mid-13th to the early 20th century in chronological order. Here are all the best artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Van Gogh, Turner, Cezanne and others. » National Gallery was established in May 1824."

"The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is one of the most famous attractions in London. It houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dated from the mid-13th century to 1900. If you’re an art lover, it’s a must-visit."

"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."

"Another member of the Tate group, Tate Britain is actually older than the larger and better-known Tate Modern, dating all the way back to 1897. While the Tate Modern holds international modern artwork, Tate Britain is now dedicated to historical and contemporary British art. Nearest tube station: Pimlico."

"Tate Britain holds the most extensive collection of British art in the world from 1500 to the present day. Don’t miss this free museum in London. You can witness fantastic modern and contemporary art."

"For many years the East End has been a hub for artists and Whitechapel Gallery has been there for over a hundred of them. Its focus, however, is largely on what’s happening now and next. Although it’s not averse to a 20th century artists’ retrospective, its links with London’s working artist community is strong and ongoing, so it’s a great place to find work by new artists on their way to becoming household names."

"Founded in 1901 to bring art to the people of east London, it is now internationally acclaimed for its exhibitions, education and event programmes. In the past, the gallery premiered artists such as Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko."

"Whitechapel Gallery is an art gallery in Whitechapel on the northside of Whitechapel High Street. Designed by Charles Harrison Townsend it opened its doors in 1901 as the first public gallery 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"

"This museum is an extraordinary place, comprising the original collection of wealthy tea-merchant and pack-rat Frederick John Horniman. He had this art-nouveau building, with its clock tower and mosaics, specially designed to house his collection. Built in 1901, today it encompasses everything from a dusty walrus and voodoo altars from Haiti and Benin to a mock-up of a Fijian reef and a collection of concertinas. It’s wonderful."

"There are costumes to try on, musical instruments to play and stuffed animals to investigate at this treasure trove of a museum in Forest Hill. The collections of objects from all over the world include a torture chair, African and Mexican masks and over 1,300 musical instruments. There are activity packs and trails for most of the rooms and interactive sound tables for you to listen to music and try making some of your own."

"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."

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"Restaurants Australian Kew. Brunch at Antipodea is an Aussie affair. Sipping your flat white in the conservatory-style dining room, you could almost be in Melbourne."

"Australian Jason Wells is the brains behind this group of all-day restaurants, as well as the Brew café chain. The restaurants share a stylish c ..."

"Born from a man’s dream to recapture the American diner scene, along with home-grilled burgers, hand-cut fries and thick milkshakes, Big Moe’s diner perfectly encapsulates classic American eating. Their menu spoils you for choice, from chargrilled beef and chicken burgers, lamb ribs and steaks to Cod and veggie options. If you want to start your day right, their breakfast menu serves New York-style Cro-dough and huge platters of beef sausages and chicken rashers served with free-range eggs and baked beans."

"As their slogan, “Eat Dirty, Vegan Style” would suggest, Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner serves up American-style comfort food, such as burgers, hotdogs, buffalo wings, sandwiches, mac n cheese, fries and more!. The Reuben sandwich and the mozzarella sticks are firm fan favorites. Not only this but they’re also known for their incredible vegan milkshakes; think chocolate peanut butter, banana biscoff and chocolate peppermint cream."

"If you’re looking for over-the-top vegan junk food that will convince even the most ardent of meat-eaters, then look no further than Rudy’s Vegan Diner. The Camden Market-based diner offers all the staple US diner classics from The Dirty Burger to The Dirty Dog. Rudy’s even offer a Reuben sandwich with all the trimmings, including sauerkraut and Russian dressing."

"In a nutshell: Restautant for the vegan butcher Where is it?. 206A Upper St Islington, London N1 1RQ Why should you care?. After the launch of their vegan 'butcher' (which has proven to be very popular indeed), Rudy's have brought their vegan diner to Islington right next door."

"When I moved to London from the US, I was surprised by the number of pizza places I saw. The city has a ton of chains and standalone shops, and most of them serve Neapolitan-style pizza. Hilariously, the American pizza chains that hopped across the pond–Domino’s and Papa John’s–charge insane prices."

"Rudy's Neapolitan Pizza has been mainly serving pizzas in the north but they've now headed south, straight into Soho with pizzas made fresh daily from 24-hour fermented dough with ingredients imported twice weekly from Naples."

"If you’ve never been to Xi’an Impression next to the Emirates Stadium, you either have terrible taste or simply couldn’t get in. The founders have now understood that delicious, handmade noodles and Shaanxi province cuisine deserves a bigger surface area and opened a second outlet in Whitechapel last year (a third, Master Wei, can now be found in Bloomsbury). In this far more capacious eatery, all the same classics are available with far more room to breathe."