Explore the city, London experiences,
January 04 2025
London is simply a playground for art lovers. With a vast range of fantastic galleries offering access to world-class exhibitions, you’ll easily find something to do any idea of the week. The bonus? You can do all this without the need for expensive tickets.
No matter if seeing famous masterpieces, contemporary artwork or historic collections is your thing, there are plenty of free art galleries in London to visit. In this guide, we’ll suggest some of the best free galleries in London for you to explore today.
We’ll start with perhaps the most famous of the free art galleries in London. The National Gallery, on Trafalgar Square, is home to over 2,300 paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Its enormous collection includes works from some of the world’s most celebrated artists. Think Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, J.M.W. Turner.
Once there, you can get free entry and explore the gallery to admire iconic pieces, including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Botticelli’s Venus and Mars. Alongside its impressive permanent collection, the gallery also hosts special exhibitions focusing on different artists and movements.
If you’d like the full experience, you can take free daily tours and creative workshops that provide additional insight into the artworks on display. Likewise, families can get involved with hands-on interactive activities. Why not stay nearby with the Thistle Trafalgar Square?
Set in a former power station along the Thames Bankside, the Tate Modern is a must-visit if you’re at all interested in modern and contemporary art. This free London gallery has an extensive collection covering 1900 to the present day. On your trip, you’ll see works by household names like Picasso, Dalí and Warhol.
Special free exhibitions often focus on legendary figures of modern art. We’ve seen dedications to artists like Frida Kahlo and Jackson Pollock, making each and every visit unique. You can also join in with installations and interactive exhibits.
For families, Tate Modern has workshops, storytelling and hands-on activities. Overall, it’s simply one of the best free art galleries in London.
Amongst the greenery of Kensington Gardens is another fantastic free central London gallery. Set on both sides of the Serpentine Bridge, the Serpentine Galleries are split into two spaces: Serpentine South and Serpentine North.
Both these galleries focus on contemporary art. You’ll find exhibitions showcasing experimental works, cutting-edge installations and some truly innovative architectural designs.
One of the highlights is the annual Serpentine Pavilion. Here, architects design temporary structures that blur, push and break creative boundaries - the 2025 version looks to be one of the best yet. Alongside the exhibitions, you can take part in family-friendly workshops, including art-making and other activities. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Thistle Hyde Park Kensington Gardens.
Whitechapel Gallery is a stunning free art gallery in East London. In fact, it’s one of the city’s most exciting spaces for modern and contemporary art. Over the years, it has hosted works from legendary artists such as Picasso, Pollock and Kahlo.
The gallery’s exhibitions feature both international and British art, making it a great place to see fresh works. On its extensive calendar, you’ll also find things like film screenings, performances and live events. Finally, art workshops for children and families give younger visitors the chance to explore and learn.
The Wallace Collection is something a little different from the other free galleries in London. For one thing, it’s built into a stunning grand 18th-century townhouse, containing a beautiful collection of fine art, furniture and other relics.
The gallery’s permanent collection includes masterpieces from world-famous artists. Among them, you can see Rubens, Hals, Rembrandt and Canaletto. There are also fantastic temporary exhibitions, which often focus on specific themes, artists or movements. Visiting with the kids? There are also interactive workshops to keep everyone entertained.
The best free galleries in London mean art lovers are spoilt for choice. With iconic institutions like the National Gallery and Tate Modern to unique spaces like the Whitechapel Gallery and The Wallace Collection, there’s something for all tastes.
Many of these galleries are conveniently located near Thistle Hotels. Why not combine a cultural day out with a comfortable night’s stay?
