You don’t have to be an art critic or even much of an art enthusiast to enjoy an entire day in one of these seven incredible UK art galleries.
It is said that a city’s greatness is not measured by its area or population, but by the number and quality of its museums and art galleries. Across the UK, you will be hard pressed to find a major city that isn’t home to a world-class gallery or museum, whether it’s the National Gallery in London, or the Arnolfini in Bristol.
Best Modern Art Galleries in the UK
In all of its forms, art can tap into, and express what we sometimes cannot: the depth of a particular historical moment, the colours of psychological anguish, the ideological drives that steer a particular cultural epoch. These seven UK art galleries embody the very best the country has to offer in terms of creative expression, so let’s dive in.
Tate Modern
London’s Tate Modern art gallery is one of the most visited in the world, welcoming nearly four million visitors every year. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the bank of the Thames, this contemporary gallery is home to a dazzling range of bold, genre-defining artworks, from the surrealist, dreamscape masterpieces of Salvador Dalí to the colourful pop art of Andy Warhol.
In the permanent collection of the Tate Modern lies the pre-Raphaelite Ophelia; Francis Bacon’s Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion and Mark Rothko’s Seagram Murals, so you truly are surrounded by timeless classics.
The Tate Modern is one place you can easily dedicate a full day to. Attend one of the gallery’s thought-provoking exhibitions, browse in the tasteful Terrace shop, or tuck into a sumptuous meal at the restaurant to make your visit one to remember.
The National Gallery
To step further back in time, the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London, is absolutely worth a visit. Founded in 1824, this extravagant gallery is home to more than 2,300 paintings that span the mid-14th century to the 1900s. As you walk up the steps toward the grand eight column entrance of this historic Grade-I listed building, you’ll get a strong sense of the scope and magnitude of art housed here.
On the walls you will find Leonardo da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks; the vivid Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh and Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, among dozens of other Western European classics. One masterpiece that will leave you lingering at the frame in the National Gallery is Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus, which vividly depicts the mastery of light and shadow the Italian painter was known for.
It’s free to access the National Gallery, and there are often free exhibitions that cater to a wide selection of interests. There are also several food and beverage options including a gorgeous restaurant that serves afternoon tea, oysters and champagne; a cafe, and an espresso bar.
Ikon Gallery
For an art experience outside of the capital, Ikon Gallery in Birmingham is one of the UK’s best. This artist-led venue and gallery is housed inside a neo-gothic school building, and it delivers an exciting display of international contemporary art. Unlike its more classical contemporaries, Ikon delivers a more immersive and interactive experience that showcases music, sculpture, installations, film and various other forms of mixed-media art.
The roster of art and artists at Ikon is always changing, so you’ll likely experience it differently with each visit. To make your visit more substantial, the gallery’s onsite cafe, Yorks, serves wonderful specialty coffee, homemade cakes and craft beer. It’s free to visit Ikon, and its shop donates all profits toward the gallery’s educational programme and exhibitions.
Saatchi Gallery
When it comes to sparking conversations about art, Saatchi Gallery is a British trailblazer. At this Chelsea gallery, you’re more likely to find pieces that are largely unseen (future classic), rather than paintings crafted in the times of powdered wigs and gilded frames. A good example of Saatchi’s prescient curation is Damien Hirst’s infamous The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living art installation depicting a shark suspended in formaldehyde, which was funded by and showcased at Saatchi in 1992.
Another iconic art piece first exhibited at Saatchi is Tracey Emin’s Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963–1995, which is a tent with the names of every person the artist had ever slept with sewn into the walls (the piece was sadly lost in the 2004 Momart London fire).
Displays and exhibitions at Saatchi are thought-provoking and controversial, and a trip to this gallery is certain to leave you musing over art, culture, and the meaning of it all. Saatchi also does a stellar job at launching the careers of up-and-coming artists, such as Hirst and Emin, which is another great reason to visit. General admission to this cultural landmark is free, but there is a fee to view certain exhibitions.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Swap the moody quiet of a traditional art gallery with the fresh outdoors at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP). A truly unique and thoughtful venue, YSP is an outdoor sculpture gallery and museum nestled on the idyllic 18th century Bretton Hall estate in West Yorkshire. This family-friendly gallery is home to Barbara Hepworth’s famed The Family of Man sculptures, which stands alongside pieces from other acclaimed artists like Damien Hirst, Davish Nash and Henry Moore.
On the hillside of YSP, you’ll find a unique, almost-hidden venue with a wildflower roof called The Weston. Inside, you can view various temporary exhibitions, purchase some nature-inspired products or tuck into a hearty, locally-sourced dinner with a panoramic view of the park. A perfect spot for spring and summer afternoons, YSP is one of the few art galleries to welcome picnics and dogs, making it a day even those less interested in art will enjoy. The park is free to under 18s and £9.50 for standard entry.
Firstsite
A newer contender on the UK art scene, Firstsite in Colchester opened its doors in 2011 in a striking new building designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly. This gallery delivers raw, contemporary art that tackles hard-hitting themes such as housing, healthcare, migration, inequality and more, with new exhibitions every six months. Notable exhibitions have included the work of Turner-prize winning artist Grayson Perry, Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, and Sarah Lucas, a prominent artist within the Young British Artists movement.
Firstsite isn’t just for viewing: this East England venue offers a host of interactive creative events that cater to everyone in the community, from adult arts and craft courses to special cinema screenings and parent-toddler events. Inclusion and community are truly at the core of this modern gallery, which won Museum of the Year 2021. Firstsite is open all year and is free to all.
Arnolfini
No respectable UK gallery selection would be complete without this Bristol venue. Located in a Grade-II listed former warehouse on Bristol harbourside, the Arnolfini exhibits the best art in the city, including the works of both local up-and-coming artists and internationally acclaimed figures such as Paul McCartney, Grayson Perry, Rachel Whiteread and more.
This venue goes far beyond visual arts and hosts regular exhibitions, music events, film festivals, poetry readings, lectures and more, across three floors of creative space. Browse around Arnolfini’s independent bookstores, or stop by the café bar for a locally brewed beer, to make a full day of it. Entry to the galleries is free.
Final Take
What is art to some (er, a shark suspended in formaldehyde), is definitely not to others, but this subjective experience is precisely the point. A visit to any of these seven venues will undoubtedly leave an impression, regardless of your interests and expectations. And the best part is, most of them are free and family-friendly.
