Tate Modern
- Art lovers
- Architecture and design enthusiasts
- Families with children
What Visitors Say
The Tate Modern is one of those rare museums that feels like an experience long before you see the first artwork. Housed in a remarkable industrial building, it’s an immense space with galleries spread across multiple floors, showcasing an extraordinary range of modern and contemporary art. Not every piece resonated with me personally—and that’s part of the point. The collection is diverse, challenging, provocative, and often invites conversation more than agreement. Whether a work leaves you inspired, puzzled, or even unconvinced, it succeeds in making you stop and think. What impressed me just as much as the art was the operation behind it. With so many visitors, the museum staff are exceptionally skilled at moving people through the building efficiently while still allowing space for reflection and discovery. It’s a masterclass in managing both crowds and the emotional journey that great museums create. Wear comfortable shoes, allow yourself several hours, and don’t rush. Tate Modern rewards curiosity, and there’s always another gallery, installation, or unexpected perspective waiting around the next corner. A must-visit for anyone spending time in London.
We had a couple of days in London for a concert and visiting some galleries. I like art, but I’m a novice and fairly traditional, with modern & contemporary art not being my favourite. My expectations of the Tate Modern were low, and I’m pleased to say greatly exceeded. The building itself is iconic and its conversion to a major art gallery is both tasteful and dramatic. The art is beautifully displayed in themed rooms. There is something here for everyone, and my eyes were opened to pieces of work from all over the world by artists I’d never heard of. The building is so big that it caters for many visitors without appearing crowded. There is time and space to enjoy, and absorb new (to me) works of art. There are also many works by artists I know (Picasso, Dali, Modigliani, Mondrian etc). You could spend days here, but we only had a few hours. When so many people wrongly run the country down, places like this demonstrate the true value and amazing diversity of our art and culture. And it’s free! We really enjoyed our visit and will certainly return.
I always have a great time at the Tate Modern — it’s one of those places that feels spacious, open, and easy to walk around. The huge Turbine Hall and wide gallery spaces make it comfortable even on busy days, and there’s always something new to see. The permanent collections are free to enter, and the building itself — a converted power station on the Thames — is part of the experience Getting There by Tube (and other transport tips) Closest Tube & Train Stations - Blackfriars Station — Circle & District lines. This is the closest station, about a 5–10 minute walk. Exit on the south side of the Thames for the quickest route. - Southwark Station — Jubilee line. Around a 10‑minute walk heading north toward the river. - St Paul’s Station — Central line. Walk across the Millennium Bridge for a scenic approach. - London Bridge Station — Northern & Jubilee lines. A 15–20 minute riverside walk. Useful Bus Routes Routes 45, 63, 100, 344, 381 stop nearby. Journey Planning You can plan your route easily using the TfL Journey Planner for Tube, bus, and rail updates. Tips for Visiting - Entry to the main galleries is free, so you can take your time and wander. - Temporary exhibitions often require tickets — booking ahead is recommended. - The Turbine Hall is always worth a look; installations can be huge and immersive. - Combine your visit with nearby attractions like Shakespeare’s Globe or Borough Market — both are within walking distance.
This a place I always enjoy coming back from time to time. It’s such a beautiful piece of architectural design and holds an amazing collection of history, culture and art. The exhibitions are well done and always such a pleasure to see the different styles and features presented. Located right next to the southbank is a bonus. A worthy visit for sure.
I had a pretty good time at Tate Modern! The exhibits were really interesting and thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed the unique installations, like the one made of black slate pieces and the other with numerous white objects. It's a fantastic place for art lovers. ✨🎨🖼️
Highlights
Turbine Hall
Epic site-specific installationsThis former power station hall, 35 metres high, has hosted monumental works since 2000, from Olafur Eliasson’s glowing sun to Ai Weiwei’s sunflower seeds.
Ground Floor
Rothko Room
Abstract expressionist masterpiecesNine Seagram Murals by Mark Rothko, donated in 1970, immerse visitors in deep reds and maroons originally intended for a New York restaurant.
Level 2, Boiler House
Viewing Platform
Panoramic views of LondonOpened in 2016, the platform offers 360° views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, and the Thames, drawing over a million visitors in its first year.
Blavatnik Building, Level 10
Picasso Works
Iconic 20th-century artTate Modern owns several works by Picasso, including the 1937 painting ‘Weeping Woman’, created the same year as his anti-war masterpiece ‘Guernica’.
Level 4, Boiler House
Switch House
Bold architectural expansionHerzog & de Meuron’s 2016 pyramid-like extension added roughly 60% more space, with brick lattice echoing the original Bankside Power Station.
Blavatnik Building
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
Tate Modern opened in 2000 inside the former Bankside Power Station, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in the late 1940s.
In 2023 Tate Modern attracted about 4.7 million visitors, the UK’s most-visited modern art museum.
The Turbine Hall is 152 metres long - longer than St Paul’s Cathedral.
Herzog & de Meuron’s Blavatnik Building cost around £260 million and opened in June 2016.
Mark Rothko withdrew the Seagram Murals from a New York commission, later gifting them to Tate in 1970.
Similar Museums
Nearby Places
Bankside Gallery
2 min 👣
Rose Theatre Exhibition
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Clink Prison Museum
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The Blackfriar
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The Cockpit
7 min 👣
Golden Hinde
8 min 👣
St Paul’s Cathedral
9 min 👣
St Paul's Cathedral
9 min 👣
Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
10 min 👣
London Mithraeum
10 min 👣