London rewards a selective museum plan. Give one major collection the centre of your day, then add a smaller gallery, a particular exhibition or a walk between buildings. This selection moves from European painting and contemporary art to the design of everyday things.
European painting from the Renaissance to the 20th century, with drawings and decorative arts
A concentrated collection of paintings, from Renaissance devotion to modern Paris.
Opening details
Enter Somerset House from the Strand for the gallery..
Published date exception: 2026-11-06, 2026-12-04, 2027-01-08, 10:00–20:00. Confirm the museum calendar before visiting.
2026-11-06, 2026-12-04, 2027-01-08 last admission: 19:15.
Check official hours before visiting.
Daily 10:00–18:00; last entry 17:15Researched opening pattern. Check the dated calendar and last-entry time.
£14 collection; Salman Toor + collection: £16 adultPermanent collection, smaller exhibitions and displays. Published adult baseline checked 11 October 2026; not a selected-date quote.
European Old Master painting, especially Baroque art and British portraits
Old Masters in a small, beautifully proportioned gallery with a garden setting.
Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00; Mon closedResearched opening pattern. Check the dated calendar and last-entry time.
£10 adult collection ticket, including donationAdult collection admission. The published £10 ticket includes a donation. The non-donation minimum has not been verified.
Western European painting from the 13th to the early 20th century
A broad introduction to European painting, right on Trafalgar Square.
Opening details
Visitor entry is via the Sainsbury Wing..
Check official hours before visiting.
Daily 10:00–18:00; Fri until 21:00Researched opening pattern. Check the dated calendar and last-entry time.
Collection £0; guided services charged separatelyGeneral collection admission. Published adult baseline checked 11 October 2026; not a selected-date quote.
International modern and contemporary painting, sculpture, installation, photography, film and performance
Modern and contemporary art in a former power station beside the Thames.
Sun–Thu 10:00–18:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–21:00; last entry 30 minutes before closingResearched opening pattern. Check the dated calendar and last-entry time.
Collection £0; Frida: The Making of an Icon: £25 adult exhibition ticketGeneral collection admission. Published adult baseline checked 11 October 2026; not a selected-date quote.
Decorative arts, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, furniture, photography and design
Art, craft and design seen through the things people make and use.
Opening details
Fashion Gallery Room 40 is closed until autumn 2028; South Asia Rooms 41 and 47b until spring 2028; Korea Room 47g until December 2026. These are room closures, not a whole-museum closure..
Japan Room 45 is closed 5–13 October and 20 October 2026. Tapestries Room 94 is closed 13–15 and 19–20 October 2026..
Staff begin clearing galleries 30 minutes before closing. Some galleries are unavailable during the Friday late opening..
Check official hours before visiting.
Daily 10:00–17:45; Fri until 22:00, with some galleries closing after 17:45Researched opening pattern. Check the dated calendar and last-entry time.
Collection £0; Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art: Schiaparelli: £28 weekday / £30 weekendGeneral collection admission. Published adult baseline checked 11 October 2026; not a selected-date quote.
Modern and contemporary product, graphic, fashion, industrial and architectural design
Everyday objects and big ideas in a distinctive Kensington building.
Opening details
The café and shop areas are being refurbished. A pop-up shop operates on Level G, and the Design Kitchen remains on Level 2..
Published date exception: 2026-10-13, closed. Confirm the museum calendar before visiting.
Check official hours before visiting.
Mon–Thu 10:00–17:00; Fri–Sun 10:00–18:00Researched opening pattern. Check the dated calendar and last-entry time.
Designer Maker User £0; Es Devlin: Other Worlds: From £17.09 adult; selected session price must be checkedDesigner Maker User permanent collection display. Published adult baseline checked 11 October 2026; not a selected-date quote.
Changing exhibitions of painting, sculpture and architecture, with selected collection displays
An artist-led institution best planned around a particular exhibition.
Opening details
Use the Burlington House entrance on Piccadilly. 6 Burlington Gardens is closed until autumn 2027 for the Collection Gallery expansion, apart from specified ticketed lecture access..
The current Friday and Saturday late hours are advertised for Painting the French Riviera. Recheck after the exhibition ends on 31 January 2027..
Check official hours before visiting.
Tue–Thu and Sun 10:00–18:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–21:00; Mon closedResearched opening pattern. Check the dated calendar and last-entry time.
Selected displays £0; paid exhibitions have separate prices; Painting the French Riviera: £24–£26 adult without donationNo single all-museum admission price; exhibition-specific tickets. Published adult baseline checked 11 October 2026; not a selected-date quote.
3D shows approximate buildings where map data includes heights. Map privacy.
Use two fingers to move or pinch the map on a touch screen; one finger scrolls the page. In full screen, drag to move. Use plus and minus to zoom. Arrow keys move the map; zero fits all stops. Escape closes the preview or full screen.
