Tate Britain

Tate Britain is the original Tate Gallery and holds the largest collection of British art in the world. The gallery shows work from the last five centuries, including contemporary British art, in a series of free changing displays.

Tate's Collection includes masterpieces by British artists such as Hogarth, Gainsborough, Constable, Millais, Burne-Jones, Whistler, Sargent, Sickert, Hepworth and Bacon. The extraordinary work of JMW Turner can be seen in the Clore Gallery.

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Opening times:	Daily 10.00-17.50 Exhibitions open 10.00-17.40 (last admission 17.00) Late at Tate Britain First Friday of each month, 18.00-22.00 (last entry to exhibitions 21.00, exhibitions close 21.40) Closed 24, 25, 26 December (open as normal on 1 January)
Parking & transport	Car parking Parking (charge)
Catering	Food shop
Booking and payment details	Free Solo accepted Maestro accepted
Accessibility	Ramp/level access

Despite its big new brother, the Tate Britain's still holding its own. No fancy bars or spiral staircases here, just a veritable archive of pre-modern British art. And actually a pretty fancy restaurant decorated by Rex Whistler making a great setting for a plush lunch.

You'd think that Tate Britain may have suffered since its lavish, sexy sibling, Tate Modern, took half its collection and all of the limelight up river when it opened in 2000, but on the contrary, things have worked out perfectly for both galleries. The venerable Tate Britain, built in 1897, stretched out splendidly into the increased space with its definitive collection of British art from the 16th to the late 20th centuries. The permanent galleries are broadly chronological in order, and you can expect to see some of the most important works by artists such as Constable and Gainsborough - who have entire galleries devoted to them - and Hogarth, Reynolds, Stubbs, Blake and Moore, among others. Adjoining the main building is the Clore Gallery, which houses the superb JMW Turner, including the two recovered classics Shade and Darkness and Light and Colour which were nicked in 1994 and found nine years later.Just before you thought that all the moderns and contemporaries were up at the Modern, Tate Britain's got work by Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, David Hockney and Howard Hodgkin, as well as Anthony Gormley and bad-girl Tracey Emin. Tate Britain also hosts the prestigious and often controversial Turner Prize of contemporary art from October to early December every year.There are several free one-hour thematic tours each day, mostly on the hour (last tour at 15:00), along with free 15-minute talks on paintings, painters and styles at 13:15 Tuesday to Thursday in the Rotunda. Audio tours for the collection cost around 4. The best way to see both Tates and have a fabulous art day is to get the boat that connects the two galleries. A good time to visit the Tate is for its Late at Tate nights on the first Friday of every month, when the gallery stays open until 22:00.

Traveller Rating:

Based on 4 reviews

Ranked #27

Latest 4 reviews of Tate Britain

Well worth the effort...

It' can be slightly tricky to get to but well worth the effort for some amazing art in a fantastic setting. The building and views over the river, particularly from up in the top floor restaurant...

It' can be slightly tricky to get to but well worth the effort for some amazing art in a fantastic setting. The building and views over the river, particularly from up in the top floor restaurant, are stunning. Spent a whole morning exploring. Loved the new Cy Twombly exhibition but there's plenty in the permanent collection to keep you busy. Would really recommend the audio guide as well to get the most out of the visit. Also, the cafe downstairs makes a good stop for breakfast or lunch.

2 July 2008

by JMC18, Brighton

Snobby staff can't handle on-line bookings

Such a shame, the staff had a snooty attitude and did not know their own systems. I won't be going back. I planned a 'Tate Day' going to the Tate Britain in the morning, taking the Tate Boat to the...

Such a shame, the staff had a snooty attitude and did not know their own systems. I won't be going back.

I planned a 'Tate Day' going to the Tate Britain in the morning, taking the Tate Boat to the Tate Modern for a guided tour of a special exhibtion in the afternoon. In preparation for this I booked a boat ticket and guided tour ticket on-line.

Arriving at the Tate Britain in the morning, I was told that to collect pre-booked, pre-paid tickets I had to wait in the 30-minute queue with those who were simply buying tickets on the day (so what benefit to booking in advance?!). When I finally arrived at the top of the queue, the sales assistant told me that all tickets (including for the boat) are held for collection at the Tate Modern instead! What a waste of my time.

So I was booked and paid-up to get to my destination (Tate Modern) by boat, but to board the boat I needed a ticket - which apparently I couldn't get until my destination. Conundrum!

The only option was to walk to the Modern (45 mins at a brisk pace, thankfully in fine weather) where they told me that of course the Britain could have issued the boat ticket. They happily refunded my boat fare as by that time it would have been impossible to have the boat ride as well as make the guided tour.

My advice to others:

- Don't bother to book tickets on-line, there is no apparent benefit (unless you want to get tickets to a popular exhibition which might be sold-out)

- Go to the Tate Modern in preference to the Britain as the staff there seemed much more knowledgeable and had a more helpful attitude. If you have time to pop down to the Britain after you are finished with the Modern, it might be worth considering.

3 August 2006

by PeripateticTravelBug, Australia

Also disappointed

After hearing Tate Britain this, Tate Britain that, I really had high expectations. But upon arrival, I was asking myself if I was in the wrong building! First of all, it was very isolated from...

After hearing Tate Britain this, Tate Britain that, I really had high expectations. But upon arrival, I was asking myself if I was in the wrong building! First of all, it was very isolated from most of London attractions. Not easy to find or to get to. The staff strutted around in black t-shirts, acting like a bunch of pretentious hairstylists. I ended up asking a janitor questions about a specific painting because the staff hadn't a clue!

There were definitely some beautiful works of art, but the tone of the environment left a bad taste in my mouth. I'll probably never waste my time there again as there are so many other great places to visit in London.

23 March 2005

by A TripAdvisor Member, Washington, DC

A Bit Disappointed!

I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by the the Tate Britain. The building's interior lacks the warmth of the V & A or the beauty of the National Gallery. The collections of English art are...

I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by the the Tate Britain. The building's interior lacks the warmth of the V & A or the beauty of the National Gallery. The collections of English art are very good, but some of the works are in obvious need of cleaning or restoration. The Tate shop can't compare to the V & A or the British Museum shops. I would rank the Tate Britain behind the National Gallery, the British Museum, The V & A and the British Library in terms of cultural attractions. Plan to spend no more than 90 minutes here - unless you have a special interest in English art.

10 April 2004

by A TripAdvisor Member,

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Prices and Booking for Tate Britain

Prices:

Adult:	Free

Location Information Tate Britain

Address:	Millbank, London London SW1P 4RG
Telephone:	+44 (0)20 7887 8888
Email:	information@tate.org.uk
Website:	www.tate.org.uk
Public transport:	Bus: 88, 77A, C10, 2,3,36,159; 185, 507 also stop within easy reach Tube: Pimlico or Vauxhall (Victoria line), Westminster (District, Circle or Jubilee lines)