Tate Britain
What Visitors Say
The gallery has an impressive collection of paintings by Turner. It’s definitely worth visiting, especially if you appreciate art. You can easily spend around three hours exploring inside. Entry is free, and there is also a restaurant within the gallery. However, it may get quite busy on weekdays and during holidays. 🎨
Very beautiful scenography. Visitors are accompanied by a large booklet containing all the labels associated with the paintings on display. The café upstairs is pleasant. It's a shame that the exhibition catalog is only available in English. And the dining room on the ground floor is superb. In the dim light. The endless benches and mural have been preserved. Superb.
Great permanent and tempory exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions free to public. There are a lot of guided tours and free talks about particular paintings. A great place to spend some time. It's on Millbank, opposite the MI6 building. For tourists - easy access from Pimlico, St James', Victoria and Westminster tube stations.
We started in the shop, which had lots of Turner and Constable books, postcards and lovely little art bits, sketchbooks, badges, the usual temptations. The historic portraits were interesting, though not my favourite section. I was much more drawn to the modern galleries. Seeing No Woman, No Cry by Chris Ofili was powerful in person, and the works by Francis Bacon were intense and unforgettable. The modern and abstract pieces across the museum were definitely the highlight for me. There was also a ticketed exhibition, Turner & Constable: Rivals & Originals, which was sold out unfortunately. Alongside that, the free collections were all open, including the Clore Gallery with works by J. M. W. Turner. I really enjoyed seeing his watercolours, loved the delicate colour pallette and atmospheric light. There were also films playing in some of the spaces and a large café to sit and reflect afterwards. Overall, an interesting and varied visit, with plenty to see depending on what draws you in.
Guys, when in London, and even only a little interested in british art, go there. I have been in London for a short holiday maybe 20 times and always missed it. I was so stupid! And it is free! Only some special events and exibitions do cost some money. Easy access, suited for the handicapped, decent washing rooms, nice restaurant + gift shop. THEY HAVE ALL THE CLASSICS AND MORE. You‘ll need days to see everything.
Highlights
Turner Collection
World’s largest Turner holdingsThe Clore Gallery opened in 1987 to house J. M. W. Turner’s bequest - hundreds of oils and thousands of works on paper.
Clore Gallery
Ophelia
Millais’ 1851-52 masterpiecePainted from life with real river plants, Ophelia’s dress was soaked in a bath so it clung and shimmered like the river.
Main floor, Pre-Raphaelites
Duveen Galleries
Grand classical enfiladeOpened in 1937, these long halls frame large-scale sculpture and installations beneath coffered ceilings.
Central sculpture halls
British Icons
Constable to BaconFrom Constable’s skies to Francis Bacon’s raw portraits, galleries chart 500 years of British art and ideas.
Permanent collection
Rotunda Entrance
Neo-classical statementOpened in 1897 as the National Gallery of British Art, the building sits on the former site of Millbank Prison.
Millbank, central dome
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Tate Britain opened in 1897, funded by sugar magnate Henry Tate.
The Clore Gallery (1987), designed by James Stirling, was purpose-built for Turner’s bequest.
The site once held Millbank Prison (opened 1816), demolished in the 1890s.
John Everett Millais reportedly kept model Elizabeth Siddal in a bath to paint Ophelia’s water effects.
Tate Britain holds the largest collection of works by J. M. W. Turner anywhere.
