Discover London’s ever-changing and spectacular art exhibitions for both local residents and visitors to the capital. Read more on The Ritz London blog.

The Best Art Exhibitions and Museums in London

London is a world-renowned centre for art and is home to some of the most famous and talented painters, photographers and sculptors in the world. Whether it’s the works of the founding fathers of the Royal Academy, the icons of the 19th century or the YBAs of the 1990s that inspire you, all these and much more from artists the world over reside within the hallowed walls of London’s finest museums and galleries.

The artistic calendar may peak for Londoners in Autumn with the arrival of the Frieze art fair, which brings with it the most exciting emerging talent from the contemporary art world, but there’s no shortage of new openings and permanent collections to look forward to no matter when you may be in the capital.

Mayfair is home to some of the finest London art musuems and private galleries, offering a unique blend of histroci collections and contemoorary exhibits.  With its prestigious art spaces just moments from the Ritz, Mayfair provides an exclucive culural expereine in the heart of the city.

The ideal pursuit to add a touch of cultural wonder to your family city break, London has many child-friendly galleries to explore right on the doorstep of The Ritz. Institutions, such as Tate, introduce the at-first intimidating great masters of the art world to the art historians of the future with accessible and compelling activities for children of all ages. Additionally, as the foolproof day out for when London’s weather is on the soggier side, it won’t be long before they know their Hirsts from their Hockney.

However, with many galleries introducing late-night openings for their must-see exhibitions, now a night at the museum is just as appealing as a date night activity as a candlelit dinner. With an ever-changing roster of London museum exhibits and world-class collections, we’ve compiled The Ritz’s guide to the best art museums in London and the must-see exhibitions of 2023.

Iconic & Famous London Museums

The capital is no stranger to an icon, be it an architectural masterpiece, a landmark of global significance or indeed an institution of art and culture. With so many options of the latter to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start, so here we present our top ten list of the best museums in London. Whether you’re a local looking for how to spend a rainy Sunday or a tourist on your first trip to the capital, these cornerstones of culture house countless priceless works which never fail to impress visitors on their first encounter or their fiftieth.

Beyond its permanent collections, London is renowned for its dynamic museum exhibits, showcasing everything from historic retrospectives to groundbreaking contemporary installations. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned art enthusiast, there’s always something new to discover in London’s art museums.

10. The Saatchi Gallery 

Since its opening in 1985, the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea has consistently showcased some of the most ground-breaking art exhibitions the capital has seen. Famously, collector Charles Saatchi championed the Young British Artists, including Sarah Lucas, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst, whose works changed the artistic landscape of Britain with their then-shocking approach to contemporary art and openness to innovation. It is a must-visit for those interested in finding the next big thing.

9. The British Museum

It doesn’t get much more famous than the British Museum, situated in the artistic heart of London, Bloomsbury. Most well-known for its Ancient Egyptian and Greek artefacts, the British Museum is also home to a wide range of outward-looking art exhibitions from artists known worldwide.

8. The Courtauld Gallery

Back and better than ever following an extensive renovation, the Courtauld Gallery is home to one of the most significant collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings in Europe. If it’s been a few years since you’ve found yourself lost in Manet’s inimitable ‘A Bar at the Folies Bergère, ’ it’s high time for another trip to Somerset House.

7. The Wallace Collection

Located in a beautiful townhouse in Manchester Square, the Wallace Collection is no ordinary West London residence, for behind its doors resides a priceless and distinguished collection of fine and decorative arts. A few jewels in the Wallace crown include Frans Hals’ ‘The Laughing Cavalier’, Fragonard’s ‘The Swing’, Rubens’ ‘The Rainbow Landscape’ and a monumental pair by François Boucher, which take your breath away as you ascend the grand staircase.

6. Tate Britain

One of the largest museums in the country and part of the Tate group, Tate Britain, as the name suggests, houses a substantial collection of historic and contemporary works by British artists. Every other year, Tate Britain hosts the Turner Prize, which is awarded to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition, signalling their ongoing commitment to supporting homegrown talent.

5. The National Gallery

A landmark in itself, the National Gallery, located in Trafalgar Square, is an unmissable institution for European art, with a collection featuring the very best from Dutch, British, French and Italian artists. You may have seen the masterpieces on show at the National Gallery, such as Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ and JMW Turner’s ‘The Fighting Temeraire’ reproduced thousands of times, but nothing can compete with seeing the authentic pieces up close.

4. The National Portrait Gallery

Having been closed for the past few years whilst undergoing a significant transformation, the National Portrait Gallery re-opened to the public in June 2023. The return of one of London’s most celebrated art museums was a much-anticipated event on the calendars of tourists and art lovers alike, cementing its place among the best art museums in London. With its galleries wholly refurbished and the collection redisplayed, the summer of 2023 brings the opportunity to see some of the world’s most famous portraits in a whole new light.

3. Tate Modern

A favourite among tourists and Londoners, families and students, art lovers and art sceptics, Tate Modern has long since cemented its iconic status on Southbank. With its ever-adapting approach how to create the exhibition that everyone is talking about, Tate Modern never fails to capture the zeitgeist, be it with an Instagram-worthy and futuristic immersive experience by Yayoi Kusama or a refreshing retrospective on well-loved artists of the past century.

2. The Victoria & Albert Museum

Once the sun sets, a whole new realm of date activities in London opens up. A door that you would walk through. For those exploring London art museums, the V&A in South Kensington is a must-visit, offering a spectacular collection that spans centuries of artistic innovation. With its awe-inspiring sculpture hall and incredible reputation for high fashion exhibitions, you’ll be guaranteed an afternoon surrounded by beauty.

1. The Royal Academy

Perfectly located on Piccadilly, your next destination in central London is A friendly neighbour of The Ritz, Piccadilly’s the Royal Academy is the true home for art in London. Its Summer Exhibition has been a major social event since its launch in 1769, showcasing art in all its forms from Royal Academicians, emerging talent and invited artists. Additionally, the RA’s annual schedule is always packed with thought-provoking exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see that’s worth leaving your Ritz suite for.

Don’t just see it, Live it

Immersive art in London has become one of the most popular new ways of experiencing art. Thanks to impressive technological advances, artworks can now be projected into vast spaces whilst still maintaining incredible visual quality, allowing visitors to walk within the brushstrokes and experience the scenes in a completely new way.

Presenting works by greats such as Dalí, Munch, Rousseau and Arcimboldo, Frameless, located just off Oxford Street, offers an audio-visual experience where you can even use your own movements to create masterpieces of your own.

Additionally, at the brand-new venue Lightroom in Kings Cross, comes the arrival of its first ever exhibition David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) from 22nd February. Hockney is known to have embraced modern technology throughout his 60-year career with his most recent collection created exclusively on an iPad, yet this exhibition elevates his work to a new level with this state-of-the-art immersive experience.

Mayfair Museums & Exhibitions

Some may not be aware that The Ritz is in fact surrounded by many galleries and museums in Mayfair. Our central location means a cultural outing is only ever a walk away and you can be back in time for afternoon tea. A few of our recommendations for Mayfair museums include HOFA (House of Fine Art), situated just a 7-minute walk away from 150 Piccadilly. A contemporary gallery specialising in supporting both artists who are on their way to the top and those who have already made it, expect exceptional works that may just have to join your collection at home.

Located just a 13-minute walk away, is the international gallery, Pace. Showcasing some of the finest works of the 20th and 21st century, including those by Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Barbara Hepworth and Mark Rothko, this is certainly worth a detour from your Bond Street shopping trip.

Just around the corner behind Berkeley Square is Gagosian, an 8-minute walk away. Established in Los Angeles in 1980, Gagosian now has a global reputation for producing ground-breaking contemporary art exhibitions of historic and living artists and now even has its own publishing house. If you’re not quite in the market for investing in the art on the walls, the stunning books in the Gagosian Shop are a great place to start.

Finally, Eden Gallery, a mere 12-minute stroll away from The Ritz, presents in their words ‘contemporary optimism and a colourful view of life’. This vibrant space is sure to put a smile on your face and add some colour to your day, especially if the London clouds aren’t allowing for much sunshine elsewhere.

There you have it, our guide to the best museums in London and art exhibitions is complete. If you find yourself wandering the famed hallways of any of our recommended spots, we’re sure it’ll be a colourful year ahead.