Although galleries are temporarily closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, there are plenty of ways you can discover London’s must-see, current and past exhibitions from your favourite spot on the sofa – all for free!
Among the Trees at Hayward Gallery
Welcome nature into your home with the magical Among the Trees exhibition from the Hayward Gallery. Be amazed by footage of striking tree-like installations and works involving real trees, as you go on a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the exhibition with insights from gallery director Ralph Rugoff.
Andy Warhol at Tate Modern
Modern art doesn't get much more iconic than Andy Warhol's vibrant pop-art prints. Join the curators at Tate Modern on a video-guided journey of the artist’s works, as they reflect on his personal story during times of social, political and technological change. Also discover highlights from each room, including rare portraits of drag queens, trans women and cultural icons.
The Enchanted Interior at Guildhall Art Gallery
Study how women are depicted within interiors, often with sinister undertones of enforced isolation and entrapment, in The Enchanted Interior. This video tour of the Guildhall Art Gallery’s current exhibition includes highlights such as Pre-Raphaelite works centred around the mythical Lady of Shallot and pieces by contemporary female artists who challenge these previous themes.
David Hockney at The Royal Academy of Arts
Sit back and tune into an Exhibition on Screen, as The Royal Academy of Arts revisits two of its recent David Hockney’s exhibitions. Hockney’s 2012 showcase A Bigger Picture goes back to the artist’s Yorkshire roots; while 2016 show 82 Portraits and One Still-Life puts LA’s art scene in the spotlight.
Aubrey Beardsley at Tate Britain
Dive into an enormous collection of Aubrey Beardsley’s black-and-white drawings during video highlights of one of the biggest exhibitions of his work. The Tate Britain exhibition covers more than 200 of his original illustrations, which shocked the late-Victorian period with themes of sexuality and identity. Until 25 May
The Hidden City by Emile Holba in the City of London
Seek out secret spots in the City of London with a series of photography exhibitions as part of The Hidden City by Emile Holba. The 2019 winner of the British Journal of Photography Portrait of Britain Awards delves into untold stories of the Culture Mile, the peculiarities of Barts Pathology Museum and goes behind the scenes at the Museum of London.
Picasso and Paper at The Royal Academy of Arts
Embark on a paper trail of Pablo Picasso’s works with a 40-minute virtual tour of the Royal Academy of Arts’ exhibition Picasso and Paper. Spot more than 300 works, including studies for Guernica, collages and cut-outs from the artist’s 80-year career.
Pablo Picasso: The Ceramics at Huxley-Parlour
Alternatively, see Picasso works in a different medium, as Mayfair’s Huxley-Parlour Gallery showcases the relationship between the artist and ceramics in Pablo Picasso: The Ceramics. Swipe through digital images of works from the 1950s and 1960s and learn more about the artist's techniques and inspiration.
Mushrooms: The Art, Design and Future of Fungi at Somerset House
If you didn’t have a chance to see Somerset House’s latest exhibition Mushrooms: The Art, Design and Future of Fungi, you can now explore it online! Learn how mushrooms play vital roles in ecosystems and see works from the likes of Beatrix Potter and Carsten Höller inspired by the humble fungus.
BMW Tate Live Exhibition: Our Bodies, Our Archives at Tate Modern
Get a taste of dance artist Faustin Linyekula’s site-specific works, which were due to be housed in Tate Modern’s Tanks as part of this year’s BMW Tate Live Exhibition. An hour-long video showcases the choreographer’s works, which look into connections and the fragility of our bodies.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum
Get up close and personal to animals of all kinds as the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year moves online. Chance on an encounter between a Himalayan marmot and Tibetan fox, marvel at a colourful squid and discover more winning and commended entries to this annual competition.
The Painted Hall at Old Royal Naval College
If you haven’t had a chance to gasp at the magnificent 45-metre-high (147ft) ceilings of The Painted Hall, don’t miss the chance to roam it virtually, for free, from home. Zoom in on the details of the dome in the Lower Hall and learn about the significance of the building to King William III and Queen Mary II.
Photography exhibitions at the Atlas Gallery
Get a snapshot of past and present exhibitions at photo-focused Atlas Gallery, with themes ranging from nature to current affairs. A Different Perspective features Kacper Kowalski’s mesmerising birds-eye-view landscapes; while 20% of the value of works sold from the Support Our NHS exhibit goes to the NHS Charities Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.
Illuminated River
Fancy a trip along the Thames without moving an inch? Spot the Illuminated River art installations across four London bridges with a virtual Google Arts & Culture tour. Switch between London Bridge, Canon Street Railway Bridge, Southwark Bridge and Millennium Bridge using a nifty 360-degree tool.
Tullio Crali: A Futurist Life at Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
Get a taste for futurism with Tullio Crali, who was inspired by technology as a source of creativity. The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art's exhibition Tullio Crali: A Futurist Life brings together rarely seen works in a series of videos to enjoy at your leisure.
Anno Mitsumasa at Japan House London
Be transported into the illustrated world of Anno Mitsumasa as you go on an interactive virtual tour of Japan House London’s 2019 exhibition. Navigate the space to explore 3D objects and 84 works from the artist, who is known for picture books and children’s illustrations inspired by European and Japanese history and culture.
Cristea Roberts Gallery
Discover new works via Cristea Roberts Gallery's online Viewing Room, which hosts a regularly changing lineup of online exhibitions. This St James's gallery focuses on contemporary art from 30 artists and estates, and is a great place to discover emerging talents in the art world.
Hamiltons Gallery
Lovers of contemporary photography may want to explore the online exhibitions from the prestigious Hamiltons Gallery, which champions artists who explore unique perspectives. Current exhibitions include Tomio Seike: Prague, Irving Penn: Signs and Albert Watson: Skye.
Chihuly Solo Exhibition at Sims Reed Gallery
Enjoy the perks of having a gallery just to yourself, as you wander the intimate Sims Reed Gallery. Catch a rare glimpse into the ideas behind Dave Chihuly's quirky glass creations with original artist drawings as part of Chihuly: Prints and Works on Paper.
The Courtauld Gallery virtual tour
The Courtauld Gallery’s doors may be closed, but you can still see its masterpieces up close on a virtual tour around seven rooms. Take as much time as you like to study key paintings from the Renaissance period to the 20th century, including works by Édouard Manet and Vincent van Gogh.
Online exhibitions at Michael Hoppen Gallery
Chelsea's Michael Hoppen Gallery is hosting some of its past photography exhibitions online. Step into Rolling Stones fandom, chart the rise of punk music in 1970s Britain or explore the recent showcase of Japanese artist Sohei Nishino's photo collages.
Online art collections
As well as the many exhibitions listed above, you can lose yourself in countless archives and collections from some of London’s top galleries and museums, including the National Portrait Gallery, Wellcome Collection and The Photographers' Gallery.
Find more virtual exhibitions with our pick of the best museum exhibitions to enjoy from home or explore the Visit London app.
Discover more fun things to do from home with our Virtually London guide, including online learning experiences and online fitness classes.