Free Museums in Southgate

"The former power station converted into a museum features the very best of contemporary and modern art from Picasso to Warhol as well as sculpture and photography. Highlight include the drawing bar on level one, the Turbine hall where kids can run, the viewing platform on level 10 and many interactive family trails and activities. TIP: look for some yellow shirts as they are special family guides and check Tate website as there are always family event that come up."

"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."

"Tate Modern is one of the world’s most prominent museums for modern art. It’s situated across the Thames from St. Paul’s Cathedral, inside a converted power station. Aside from a 360 degree viewpoint, it offers great architectural design inside."

"Set in London’s busiest open space, Trafalgar Square, this is the grandmother of galleries with more than 2,300 paintings spanning the 13th to the 19th centuries: Heavyweights include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Velazquez's Rokeby Venus, and Constable’s six-foot long The Hay Wain. It gets packed at weekends, but its so large that you can usually find a quiet corner. You can download an audio tour covering the museum's highlights, but you can also curate your own by selecting the paintings you want to see before you arrive."

"Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Turner, Renoir and Van Gogh—a roll call of Western European masters await you at London’s National Gallery. Boasting more than 2,000 paintings from the 13th to the 19th century, the overwhelming collection is yours to discover free of charge. And if you’re hungry for more art, stop by the National Portrait Gallery next door."

"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."

"On the site of the former Millbank Penitentiary, the older and more venerable of the two Tate siblings opened in 1892 and celebrates British art from 1500 to the present, including pieces from William Blake, William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable, as well as vibrant modern and contemporary pieces from Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, Francis Bacon and Henry Moore. The stars of the show are, undoubtedly, the light-infused visions of JMW Turner in the Clore Gallery."

"Tate Britain is part of the Tate organization that includes three other museums: Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St. Ives. Tate Britain, once known as the National Gallery of British Art and the Tate Gallery, contains a huge collection of British art dating back to Tudor times. Tate Britain is one of the biggest museums in the United Kingdom, attracting more than one million guests through its doors annually."

"First opened in 1897, and funded by the sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate, this stately neoclassical institution may not be as ambitious as…"

"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."

"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."

"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 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."

"The Museum of Childhood is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum which specialises in objected designed by and for children such as toys, clothes and more. Nearest tube station: Bethnal Green."

"Katharina Grosse, 'This Drove my Mother up the Wall', 2017|© Andy Keate. Known for its cutting-edge exhibitions, installations and live art and film events, SLG, which dates back to the 19th century, showcases established British and international figures, as well as emerging artists. In 2016, Gabriel Orozco redesigned the gallery’s rear garden, and in September 2018, SLG expanded across the road into the Fire Station, a converted Grade II-listed Victorian building that provided additional galleries, education rooms, a community kitchen and an archive space."

"What we love about South London Gallery (SLG), a contemporary yet historic art space in Peckham, is that it endeavours to ‘bring art to the people of South London’. Not only does it do this by showing work from never-before-exhibited artists; it hosts educational and immersive art workshops for young people and adults too. Although the gallery is based in its original Peckham Road building, SLG has spread its wings into the old Peckham fire station, and Sceaux Gardens estate, a local artist-designed garden called Art Block for families to enjoy."

"The South London Gallery, also known as SLG, was founded in 1891 as a public gallery of contemporary art in Camberwell, London. In 2010 6a Architects designed the SLG expansion to provide additional gallery spaces, a cafe, an educational space, and residences."

"This neo-Gothic house built in the late 1890s for William Waldorf Astor, of hotel fame and once the richest man in America, showcases art from UK museum collections outside the capital. Visit as much to see the opulent house (it's astonishing) as the collections on display, but note it's only open for a few months each year for the Winter Exhibition Programme (see the website). Check out the bronze putti (cherubs) chatting on old telephones on the steps!"

"This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with even a slight interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963."

"This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with an interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963."

"Despite its name, the cultural venue formerly known as the Imperial War Museum (one of five IWM branches around the country) does not…"

"If you’re a keen shopper, you will want to hit the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street. But also make sure you experience luxurious afternoon tea in London , take an offbeat food tour, sample street art, and hit a few alternative bars in town. Check out our Guide To London for loads of offbeat and fun ideas of things to do in London."

"Unsurprisingly, Crêpeaffaire know a thing or two about flippin' good pancakes. Whether you have a sweet tooth or fancy something savoury, you won't be disappointed with Crêpeaffaire's vast menu (including no-gluten options, winning!). From eggs Benedict to smoked salmon with cream cheese, channel your favourite brunch flavours in crêpe form with their winning savoury breakfast-inspired menu."

"Crepeaffaire is a popular chain for a reason, as it serves up delicious desserts that never disappoint. Whether you fancy a classic Nutella crepe or want to push the boat out with something more outlandish, you won’t find a better crepe in London. This is definitely one of the best desserts in London!"

"One of North London's best taprooms has got to be ORA Brewing. Located in Tottenham Hale, next to the wetlands, this hoppy hero is winning points for style and substance, with experimental brews and signature sips such as limoncello IPA and tiramisu stouts."

"Situated in the heart of Wembley, Cabana is all about the street food. Serving up Brasilian-inspired dishes and specialising in skewers and cocktails, this is the perfect place whether you're looking for somewhere to take the little ones on the weekend or relax after a day of shopping."

"Specialising is skewers and Rio Street food, Cabana Wembley brings the vibrancy of Brasil to London. Tuck into street food with an ample choice of cocktails, including a variety of different caipirinhas, a low prices form this cheap restaurant."

"20 Chesham Pl, Belgravia, London SW1X 8HQHere’s a great new address if you find yourself around Chelsea and you’re craving a proper Italian feast. Il Pampero, inside The Hari hotel, is a stunner; discreet, non-flashy and decked out with Insta-friendly rich vespa-greens and buttery leather chairs, with a gleaming bar where Zi is busy knocking up fresh bellini’s like no one’s business. Signature dishes include tonnarelli that’s prepared table-side in a Parmesan wheel (it’s every cheese-lovers’ dream), and salted fish with potatoes and puttanesca sauce, a plate that is full of the warm south."

"The Hari’s Garden Terrace is an elegant suntrap on warm days and a cosy retreat in winter. A retractable roof keeps guests dry all year round and built-in heaters mean the space is warm on the coldest of winter evenings. Now serving an exciting new menu and cocktail list, the terrace provides the perfect setting for an afternoon aperitivo or long, lazy lunches and dinners al fresco."

"With built-in heaters and a retractable roof, The Hari’s Garden Terrace in Belgravia is the perfect outdoor restaurant year-round. The al fresco dining menu features everything from seafood pasta to burgers to salads, plus a selection of small plates for those who just fancy a bite – think grilled halloumi, steamed tiger prawns and baby chicken skewers."