Slow Travel London - Museums and Art Galleries

National Gallery, London
and St. Martin's in the Field Church
© Slow Travel Tales 8.16.14

London's free entry to museums and art galleries will keep you within your slow travel budget for cultural activities and let you increase your apartment rental budget for slow travel living.

The summer of 2022 finds the United Kingdom in the position of having to elect a new Prime Minister after Boris Johnson's resignation. You may remember the controversial movement known as Brexit, which was the June 23, 2016 vote to leave the European Union. That long negotiation to leave the EU block ended on January 31, 2020.

During this long interim, the British Pound (Sterling currency) has dipped to be on a par with the U.S. Dollar. As unfortunate as it is for permanent London residents, the good news for slow travel living is that the cost for goods and services will be more affordable for those coming from the US for school, work, or an extended stay.

Although these times are uncertain for London, it can be likened to growing pains, which the people of London have gone through for eons. They will surely rebound and, hopefully, be better for it.

London, circa AD 200

Roman Londinium Settlement
© 1999 Encyclopedia Britannica

London's history dates from AD 43 when Roman military legions formed a settlement, known as Londinium, on the banks of the Thames River. Today's London Bridge marks the vicinity of the earliest Roman bridge built in AD 50.

Thus, London grew for many years, becoming a vibrant port and commercial center. However, by AD 410 the Roman Empire was in decline as was Londinium. It wasn't until 866 that Alfred the Great (first king of the English) restored the Roman walled city, made a new city street plan, and built the Thames river quays, which ushered in re-population and reinvigorated commercial trading.

After the first great fire of 1123 and the second great fire of 1666, London needed rebuilding again. Sir Christopher Wren and others designed new renaissance style plans to rebuild the city. However, primarily due to private financing and the desire to rebuild quickly, the original medieval street plan prevailed. This time, though, the new buildings were made of bricks and stone. Wren's St. Paul's Cathedral (Church of England) was completed in 1708.

London Bridge, red night lights, London
and London City Pier
on Queen's Walk near Hay's Galleria
© Slow Travel Tales 12.28.11

London's growth continued and the city emerged as an important center for international trade, commerce and banking as well as having initiated the Industrial Revolution in manufacturing. By 1838, London's influence into the suburbs was expanded when the overland railway opened. Further expansion came in 1863 when the underground transportation system opened, which consisted of gas lit wooden carriages being pulled by steam locomotives. Construction with brick and stone continued with 1903 marking the completion of the neo-Byzantine style Westminster Cathedral (Catholic Church). Unfortunately, London was destroyed again during World War II as it experienced devastating aerial bombing in 1940. Thereafter, large scale rebuilding continued for decades. The 95-story skyscraper known as The Shard was inaugurated on 5 July 2012 on the South Bank in Southwark, London.

London Museums With Free Entry

British Museum

British Museum, London

© Slow Travel Tales

Sir Hans Sloane, an upper class medical doctor, naturalist, and collector, bequeathed his 71,000 collection of books, coins, drawings, plants, and more to Britain. Parliament then founded the British Museum in 1753, in addition to the British Library and the Natural History Museum.

British Museum, London circa 1890-1900

Detroit Publishing Co. 1900

Slow Travel Tales

The British Museum's main quadrangle building was designed in 1853 with four wings in Greek Revival style. As the collections expanded over the years, so did the renovations that included new and refurbished galleries, which now house 8 million works devoted to art, culture, and human history. Today's vast collection includes galleries of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, Asia, Europe, the Mid East, and more. There's so much to see and experience, you'll want to visit often. Look at the floor plan in advance of your visit and choose a region and era to begin with. It's always nice to spend quality time versus rushing through. Then, move on to your next areas of interest.

Free Entry
Open:  Daily 10a - 5:30p / Fridays until 8:30p
Address: Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1B
Tube:  Tottenham Court via Central and Northern Lines
            Holborn via Central and Piccadilly Lines
            Russell Square via Piccadilly Line
            Goodge Street via Northern Line

Guildhall Art Gallery

London Guildhall engraving by E. Shirt
after Prattent drawing, circa 1805
Slow Travel Tales

The Guildhall itself is steeped in history and worthy of a visit with the added bonus of the wonderful art collection housed within the compound. It's long been known that the Roman city of Londinium had a wooden amphitheater that was built in AD 70 and restored with rag-stone walls and tiled entrances during the 2nd century. By the 4th century the Romans retreated, the facility fell into ruin, and was later built over. During the 12th century a great hall was built next to the amphitheater, which presumably was used as a municipal building for citizens to pay their taxes (gild hall/payment hall). The current building was constructed between 1411 and 1440. Thereafter, the first great fire of 1666 destroyed part of the structure as did the Luftwaffe fire raid on 29 December 1940 and The Blitz in 1941, which necessitated more extensive renovation. For over one hundred years, archaeologists searched for the amphitheter, thinking that it was located outside of the Roman walls. Indeed, it was quite a surprise when the Guildhall Yard underwent redevelopment for an underground Art Gallery and the amphitheater was discovered in 1987.

La Ghirlandata
by Dante Gabriel Rosetti, 1873
Guildhall Art Gallery, London
Slow Travel Tales

London City's original gallery, founded in 1886, now consists of 4,500 works of art that spans from 1670 to present day. In 2014, the Gallery re-hung the art, which doubled the paintings, allowing for rotating exhibitions with 250 works on display. Notable artists include John Singleton Copley, William Logsdail, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Free Entry
Open: 10a - 5p, Monday to Saturday
            12p - 4p, Sunday  
Address:  Guildhall Yard, London EC2V
Tube:  Bank via Central, Northern, Waterloo & City Lines
            Mansion House via Circle and District Lines
            St. Paul's via Central Line

National Gallery

The gallery's concept arose in 1824 when the British government acquired 38 paintings from the heirs of a prominent London businessman. Thereafter, gallery trustees and private donations defined the growth of the collection, which for 30 years consisted of 15th and 16th century Italian paintings. By 1851 the House of Commons saw the need to appoint a gallery director to better organize the collection and acquire new works. Subsequent directors guided the vision for the collection's growth into the future. Today you'll see the art work of:  Albrecht Durer, El Greco, Hans Holbein, Hieronymus Bosch, Jan van Eyck, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Piero della Francesca, Rembrandt, Raphael, Peter Paul Rubens, Sandro Botticelli, Tintoretto, Velazquez, and many more wonderful artists. As the impressive collection grew, the gallery building, on the impressive Trafalgar Square, underwent many alterations and expansions. To this day, the Gallery and Square are truly for the people to visit and enjoy. This downloadable PDF floor-plan will give you an overview of the artwork on the levels/floors and will certainly help you navigate your way.  

Free Entry
Open:  10a - 6p, Fridays until 9p
Address:  Trafalgar Square, London WC2N
Tube:  Leicester Square via Northern or Piccadilly Lines

            Charing Cross via Bakerloo or Northern Lines

National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery, London
Poster of Bob Dylan Exhibition
© Slow Travel Tales, 10.8.13

Opening in 1856, the portrait gallery was the first of it's kind in the world. It honors men and women, past and present, who have influenced British history and culture. The collection includes caricatures and drawings, as well as paintings, photographs, and sculpture. Their primary collection consists of over 11,000 portraits of which 1,400 are on display throughout the year in addition to special exhibitions. This gallery is interesting and easy to enter, which made it my go to gallery when I was in between classes or appointments.

Free Entry

Open:  Daily 10a - 6p / Fridays until 10p

Address:  Charing Cross Road @ St. Martin's Place, London WC2H

Tube:  Leicester Square via Northern or Piccadilly Lines

            Charing Cross via Bakerloo or Northern Lines

Saatchi Gallery

For over 25 years, The Saatchi has specialized in showing contemporary art by young, unknown, emerging UK artists as well as international artists that have rarely exhibited in the UK. The Saatchi is proud to be a "springboard for young artists to launch their careers."

Free Entry
Open:  Monday - Sunday 10a - 6p
Address:  Duke of York's HQ, Kings Road, London SW3  
Tube: Sloane Square via District and Circle Line

Science Museum

Although founded in 1857, it wasn't until 1909 that the Science Museum came into it's own. The present museum building was built in stages from 1913 to 2000. It now holds over 300,000 items including the oldest surviving steam locomotive and the first jet engine, as well as exhibitions on dinosaurs, mammals, and the earth.

Free Entry
Open:  10a - 6p
Address:  Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7
Tube:  South Kensington via District, Circle, and Piccadilly Lines

Serpentine Galleries

For over 50 years, the Serpentine has worked to be a caretaker and place to support up and coming artists with new contemporary ideas. Within their two gallery locations, they present "interdisciplinary and collaborative work across art, architecture, design, fashion, and digital."

Free Entry
Open:  Monday - Sunday 10a - 6p
Address:  Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, London W2
Tube:  Lancaster Gate or Marble Arch via Central Line
            Knightsbridge via Piccadilly Line

Sir John Soane's Museum

The son of a bricklayer born in 1753, Sir John Soane's architectural education began in London at age 15. A grand European tour enhanced his education and introduced him to many historical architectural sites and styles. Later, a distinguished professor at the Royal Academy, the renowned architect was knighted in 1831. Throughout his life he was a collector of interesting and curious antiquities, architectural items, Greek and Roman bronzes, busts, and mosaics. It was his wish that after his death, the expansive neo-classical architect's residence would remain intact as a museum.

Free Entry
Open:  Wednesday - Friday 10a - 5p
Address:  13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 
Tube:  Holborn via Central and Piccadilly
            Temple via Central and District  

Victoria and Albert Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum, London
© Slow Travel Tales

With over 2.3 million objects spanning over 5,000 years of creativity, the V & A is the world's foremost art and design museum. The collections are diverse and interesting, ranging from eye glasses to shoes, and architecture to furniture, as well as photography and fashion to name a few. The museum began in 1852 with the building foundation stone being laid by Queen Victoria in 1899. There is so much to see, you'll probably want to make several regular visits.

Free Entry
Open:  Daily 10a - 5:45p
             Friday 10a - 10p
Address:  Cromwell Road, London, SW7 
Tube:  South Kensington via Circle, District, and Piccadilly Lines

Wallace Collection

Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals 1624
Wallace Collection, London
Slow Travel Tales

Hertford House, located at Manchester Square, has been home to this impressive collection of over 5,000 works ranging from the 15th to 19th century. This private collection of paintings, furniture, porcelain, arms, and armour was bequeathed by the Wallace family to Britain in 1897. You'll see Old Master painting by Hals, Delacroix, Gainsborough, Rembrandt, Titian, Van Dyck, and Velazquez. The entire collection is artfully presented and blended together throughout the house in an effort to evoke the ambience and mood of a private home collection in the 1800's.

Free Entry

Open:  10a - 5p, daily
Address:  Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U
Tube:  Bond Street via Central and Jubilee Lines
            Oxford Street via Bakerloo, Central, and Victoria Lines

            Baker Street via Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, and Metropolitan Lines

Whitechapel Gallery

Founded in 1901, the Whitechapel is an important international art gallery that showcased, for the first time in London, many contemporary modern masters, such as Picasso, Pollock, Hockney, Rothko, Twombly, and Frida Kahlo. You can be sure to see what's new, innovative, and cutting edge when you visit the Whitechapel.

Free Entry:
Open:  Thursday 11a - 9p
             Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11a - 6p
             Monday - Closed
Address:  77-82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1
Tube:  Aldgate East via District and Hammersmith & City

London prides it's self in offering free entrance to galleries and museums, which makes living in London on a budget a little easier. You'll never be at a loss for fun and interesting things to do for free.

Our custom 52 page London Travel Notebook will help you plan and record your adventure. The 5.5" x 8.5" diary and bullet journal includes prompts for pre travel, budget, guidebook and more.

Bon Voyage

Art • Travel • Write

© Slow Travel Tales

SLOW TRAVEL TALES

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…”

from the book “Innocents Abroad” by Mark Twain

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