One of the many cultural pursuits that Britain is known for is art. Throughout history, some of the most influential and important artists have ever come out of the UK, and it is fitting that there are some very famous art museums in the country, too.
London is known for its museums, and while some of the art galleries in England are located in the capital, there are plenty of other locations where you can find impressive art galleries.
In this guide, we're exploring five of the best art galleries in UK cities. Whether you're just starting out in art, studying art history, or just looking for an activity while you visit a new city, there's something for you on this list.
Tate Modern, London
The Tate Modern started as a centre for new and contemporary art in the 1990s, opening its doors at the turn of the century, 2000. Since then, it has amassed over 40 million visitors, making it one of the most important tourist attractions in the whole world.
The types of art you can expect vary massively in style, while a lot of it is much more contemporary and…modern.
There are sculptures, traditional mediums of artwork and even more interactive exhibits.
Below is an example of an interactive exhibit involving swings at the Tate.
There have also been rooms of mirrors, exhibitions, performance art, and more. One of the proud traditions of many British museums is that they are free, and entry to the Tate Modern doesn't cost anything, though some specific exhibitions carry a cost.
You can see the likes of Picasso, Monet, and other artists at the tate.
Those who live elsewhere in the UK may be closer to a Tate exhibition than they thought. They now run the Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St. Ives.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Yorkshire
For many people, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park isn't the first name that springs to mind when they think of the best art galleries in the UK. It isn't as famous as the Tate, for instance. However, this is an unbelievably impressive venue.
Shortened to the YSP, it has become a global leader in modern and contemporary art and sculpture. It is the largest sculpture park in the whole of Europe and has had a recent impact on pop culture.
As well as the beautiful artwork, you can also enjoy the beautiful location. It is located in a historic 18th-century estate, Bretton Hall.
It is home to the famous artwork Barbara Hepworth's The Family Man.
Other artists there include David Nash, James Turrell, Andy Goldsworthy, and Henry Moore, and an upcoming exhibit with Damien Hirst is planned.
There are indoor halls, as well as all of the outside exhibitions, and exhibitions have featured work by Bill Viola, Tony Cragg, Fiona Banner, and Ursula von Rydingsvard.
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
For those interested in art history and more antique art, the Fitzwilliam Museum could be a great place to visit. As you might expect from this historic university city, some extremely educational exhibits exist.
The Fitzwilliam has an incredible collection of over half a million different works of art. Yes, you read that correctly. Proof of the impact art has had on society, providing a vast catalogue of work from British artists and those from afield.
As well as artwork such as paintings, there are also historical artefacts such as sculptures within the museum.
The exhibitions regularly change, but there have been some fantastic things to see at the museum, including a Painting with Gold exhibition looking into the use of gold in medieval manuscripts.
This is among many amazing things and influential historic buildings in Cambridge. It is free to enter, but you must book, especially in busy times.
"Behind its grand neoclassical facade, the free-to-enter Fitzwilliam Museum is world famous with a superb collection of paintings and sculptures, including masterpieces by Titian, Modigliani and Picasso, and ancient artefacts from Egypt, Rome and Greece. It's an impressive building with a very impressive collection, probably one of the greatest in England. In other words, a must-visit." - https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/cambridge/the-fitzwilliam-museum
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Liverpool is known to be a city of great culture, and the Walker Art Gallery is one great example.
It is part of a group of museums in the city, National Museums Liverpool. This includes Lady Lever Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum and the World Museum.
The painting collection in the city is particularly special, and it has many Renaissance paintings from the likes of Rembrandt. There are also more modern works, including those of Monet and one of the UK's great artists, David Hockney.
As well as work on canvas, we see several sculptures in the gallery and some decorative art that dates back to the year 1300.
Walker Art Gallery has more modern exhibitions, such as a fashion area, exhibitions for animation, and even costume items like jewellery. You can enjoy the museum for free.
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Another university-affiliated museum, and not just any university. The University of Oxford is known worldwide, and its amazing museum features art, historical artefacts such as mummies, and art collected from historical sites.
The museum is famous for its spotlight trail, too. This features the lantern owned by Guy Fawkes, King Alfred the Great's Jewel, and a favourite Minoan octopus vase.
One of the great things about the museum is its many records in its online collection, with hundreds of thousands of items to check out.
Of course, it isn't the same as visiting in person. If you are anywhere near Oxford, it is strongly recommended to head to the Ashmolean and see this fantastic collection.
London Museums – A Selection of Famous Art Galleries
While the Tate Modern is the art gallery we've included from London, there could easily be four or five on any list of the best art galleries in England and the UK.
London has many famous art gallery options.
The National Gallery is also spectacular. As well as being free, it contains many of the best paintings ever and works from some of the most influential artists. It also has historical artefacts and works by Turner, Leonardo, Velázquez, Titian, Constable, Botticelli, Monet, Caravaggio and Vermeer.
The Royal Academy of Arts is situated near Piccadilly and has been in operation for over 250 years. It has some amazing exhibits, including the only Michelangelo sculpture that can be seen in England.
The Saatchi Gallery has also been donated to the public and can be visited by anyone in London. Situated in Chelsea, you won't find any older work here. It is all based on the modern and international art collection built by Charles Saatchi.
These are just some examples. The Barbican, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Hayward Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are yet more potential locations to visit. Those wanting to see London could spend a whole weekend going around art museums and still not get through all of them.
Why is So Much Art in the UK?
Interestingly, criticism has been aimed at some of the UK art galleries because a lot of artwork and artefacts have been collected from other cultures throughout the colonial history of the UK.
There are many great British artists, too, and on top of this, a vast number of different private collections. Many wealthy figures throughout history and universities collected many other artworks, including some of humanity's best-known paintings.
Anybody studying art should try to get to some UK exhibitions, if they possibly can, where they can see millions (no exaggeration) of pieces of artwork as well as historical art and remnants from architecture, sculpture, and the past. Visiting art exhibitions can be particularly beneficial for those learning to draw or paint.
A Thriving Art Gallery Scene
The UK's art and museum scene should be celebrated, especially because many museums are considered public and free to enter.
London is a particular hotspot, but as this article shows, there are plenty of other locations where you can see stunning art.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
