With the Affordable Art Fair Battersea starting next week, Singulart presents you with the best art in London, highlighting the city’s top museums rich in art and culture and known for their free or low cost entry. Come meet Singulart at Booth 16 at the fair and then discover the city’s renowned artistic treasures. From the works of modern mavericks to historical legends, London is home to some of the most visited museums in the world, and it is no surprise as to why. The collections housed in this city are relevant and vast, spanning centuries and mediums to provide museum goers with what the French might call a full “dégustation,” or artistic tasting. Prepare your palate, and savor the exquisite pleasures these museums have to offer!
British Museum
As the world’s first national public museum opened in 1759, the British Museum is home to over 8 million objects and welcomes over 6 million visitors every year. The collections are organized by geographic territories, and among its most famous artefacts are the Rosetta Stone, Pantheon Marbles from Athens, and over 120 mummies. Apart from its impressive collections, the architecture of the building itself is stunning: you are greeted by Greek columns and an atrium that casts natural light onto the stately staircases and marble walls. The museum hosts a number of educational workshops and is open later on Friday evenings, occasionally hosting live music and performances.
Address: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
Free entry, exhibitions from £19.50
Tate Modern
If you’re craving abstract art and a variety of mediums, then the Tate Modern is for you. Their collection of international modern and contemporary art is one of the largest and most prestigious in the world, home to works of Jackson Pollock, Damien Hirst, Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko. They host a variety of performances and artist lectures, as well as changing exhibitions that feature some of the world’s most influential contemporary artists. The museum itself is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the River Thames, offering unparalleled panoramic views of London which are worth the visit alone.
Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Free entry
Tate Britain
The Tate Britain is the go-to museum for traditional British art from 1500 to the present day. Here you can see the world’s largest collection of Turner oil paintings and other iconic works of Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Henry Moore, and William Hogarth. Journey back through art history and explore the works that make up the canon of British art as well as temporary retrospectives, free tours, and Friday evening events.
Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RG
Free entry
National Gallery
Another impressive collection of historical art, the National Gallery traces the development of Western European painting through over 2,300 works. Here you can marvel at European masters across eras and styles, from the Renaissance to French Impressionism, from Michelangelo to Monet.
Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, UK
Free entry
Victoria and Albert Museum
As London’s largest art museum, and the eighth biggest in the world, the Victoria and Albert Museum displays over 3,000 years of art and artefacts in over 150 galleries. Here you can really find something for everyone; from traditional paintings and sculptures to furniture, jewelry, and textiles, the archives are endless. Its temporary exhibitions always sell out, featuring the work of fashion designers like Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen. Another point of interest is their ever changing Rapid Response Collection featuring contemporary objects that are linked to our current political and historical moment.
Address: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
Free entry, exhibitions from £12
