The Top 4 Free Art Galleries In London

art gallery london

As you plan your London trip for the summer, using your Premier Club Rewards London Hotels membership to secure your room at a great price, make sure you get your culture fix whilst in town. London is home to some of the greatest gallery collections in the world, and for the most part these collections are free to visit. Most will ask for a donation if you are in a position to do so, but there is no pressure. These galleries believe that the world should be able to enjoy the masterpieces they contain, not just those who can afford it. So let’s take a quick look at the best free galleries on offer in the city.  

Tate Modern
What’s inside…

The Tate Modern is Britain’s brightest jewel in its hefty crown. Estimated to be the most visited museum in the world, with a staggering 4.7 million annual visitors. The gallery is housed in the old Bankside Power station, so it’s pretty huge. 7 floors hold the largest collection of modern and contemporary art anywhere on the planet, 4 of which are entirely free to enter gallery spaces. Opened in early 2000 the gallery has gone from strength to strength, and is looked upon as an example of excellence by other galleries around the world. There are exhibitions and events held on the other floors that often require payment to enter, but you won’t be short of things to see if you don’t want to pay!

Getting there…

The Tate Modern is easily accessible from pretty much anywhere in London. Based right in the city centre there are plenty of ways to access it. If coming on foot you will likely see it from a way off, due to the massive chimney towering above its surroundings. On the south bank of the Thames it is between the London Eye and London Bridge. If arriving on the tube, head for Blackfriars tube station, then cross the Millenium Bridge and you’re there! 

The National Gallery
What’s inside…

The National Gallery is a collection of over 2,300 paintings, ranging from the 13th century all the way up to the 1900s. Founded in 1824, it differs from other National Galleries around the world in that it wasn’t started after a princely donation, or some royal family member bequeathing art to the nation. Instead it began after the British government purchased 38 paintings in order to protect and display them to the public. The collection is smaller than many of its European brothers, however it is considered to be encyclopaedic in scope; offering coverage of the most major developments in Western painting. The highlights of the collection are numerous with offerings from van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet and many, many more. The galleries themselves are beautiful and tastefully decorated; it’s very esay to lose yourself in the magic of the building.    

Getting there…

Another easily accessible gallery in central London. What a surprise! Jump on the tube to Charing Cross, and then it’s a quick walk from there! If you have utilised your Park Grand London Lancaster Gate Reward scheme then you can walk through Hyde park, past Buckingham Palace, and into Trafalgar Square; easy! 

The National Portrait Gallery
What’s Inside…

The National Portrait Gallery, NPG, is a gallery that houses portraits of historically significant and famous people from our nation’s history. Opening in 1856, it is argued the NPG was the first gallery of its kind, choosing to display paintings where the ‘sitter’ or person featured in the painting, is the focus; not the artist. This unique collection includes photographs, sculptures and drawings. Perhaps the most well known piece in the gallery is the Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare, although the subject of the portrait has been contested recently, it certainly is a majestic piece. There are around 11,000 pieces on display, and the collection is ever growing. Spanning the vast majority of our nation’s history, right up to today, there are significant sportspeople, actors and historical figures in the vast collection, which is expanding all the time, so you can visit on multiple occasions and see new pieces every time!

Getting there…

Located right next to the National Gallery you can reach it in much the same way from Charing Cross, or Leicester Square. Or perhaps you could try walking over from the City of Westminster, there is plenty to see along the way!  

The Wallace Collection
What’s inside…

The Wallace Collection is one of London’s most underrated Galleries. A museum in Mayfair humble in size, but not in collection it often sits overlooked by tourists, occupying Hertford House in Manchester Square. Named after Sir Richard Wallace who built the collection in the 18th and 19th centuries, the items on display are truly magnificent and one of a kind. From paintings, priceless antique furniture, and armour to home decor; the museum has an astounding collection. Even the house itself is a magnificent display of 19th century furnishing, aiming to imitate the lavish lifestyles of the elite. Truly a stunning place to visit. 

Getting there…

The Wallace Collection is within easy reach of the Bond Street tube station and is between the Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, so if you need some green space to reflect on your time in the gallery, then you are perfectly situated. If you have used your Paddington Court Rooms Reward scheme and booked a beautiful room at the hotel, then you will be within easy walking distance of one of the most lavish and enticing museums in London. 


Remember to use your Premier Hotel Membership to its fullest extent this summer by visiting the best art galleries and museums on offer anywhere in the world. London’s free art galleries are unrivalled in their offerings, and the coverage of international historical artists, and contemporary design are truly spectacular. Remember this is only a list of four galleries, there are heaps more spread across the city, so get out there and explore!

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