The first time I read about the seven noses, we were sceptical…

Noses? On some of Soho’s most distinguished buildings? There’s no way we would have missed that.  

Incorrect. The noses are there for you (and us) to see – if you know where to look.

What Are the Seven Noses of Soho? 

The noses are an artistic installation created by Rick Buckley in 1997. They’re actually plaster of Paris reproductions of the artist’s own nose, and there used to be a lot more of them but now only a select few survive. 

Why Were They Made? 

You’d have to suffer from a distinct lack of curiosity if you didn’t wonder why Buckley felt driven to create massive replicas of his nose and go on a spree sticking them onto buildings in the centre. 

To understand the installation of the noses, you first have to understand the increased public scrutiny the public were undergoing in the late 90s, thanks to the introduction of CCTV cameras. 

The 1993 Bishopsgate bombing in particular set off the installation of a “Ring of Steel” around the City of London – a trend that expanded throughout the rest of the capital. 

Buckley felt that the intrusive CCTV cameras were sticking their nose into peoples’ business. It was a case of a nose for a nose, so to speak.

He was inspired by the Situationists – a group of mid-century avant garde artists who created art to critique the corrupting influences of capitalism.

Looking back on this now, when we’ve come to accept the intrusion of our privacy as a matter of course, it’s interesting to see the furore the growing CCTV presence caused. 

The Legends of the Seven Noses

Buckley didn’t say anything about the noses for a long time, so they became the subject of many an urban legend. People claimed that the nose inside the Admiralty Arch was created to mock Napoleon. Another legend had it that same Admiralty Arch nose was actually a spare for the Nelson nose on Trafalgar Square. 

Perhaps the most famous legend of all was that if you found all seven of the noses in Soho and removed them (please, don’t), you would be the recipient of unbounded wealth. 

Luckily no one ever gave that a really good try… not to mention that there are only four of the Buckley noses remaining in Soho itself – plus another on Meard Street, which isn’t one of the originals and is thought to have been created by a different artist. 

It was only in 2011 when Buckley owned up to creating the noses, that he explained their real meaning. 

By the time he’d owned up to installing the noses across central London, many of them had already been removed by the building owners – but a number still remain in and around Soho, hence the Seven Noses of Soho moniker. 

Seven Noses of Soho Map 

I’ll warn you… there are only six as the seventh seems to have disappeared in recent years. 

Looking for More Soho Guides?

• Cool Things to do in Soho
• Where to Drink in Soho
• Dining at Kingly Court: Soho’s Dining Hotspot
• The Fascinating History of the John Snow Pub – The London Boozer Dedicated to a Victorian Doctor

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From extolling its perfect beauty (pretty sure that person never had to commute on the tube with their face in someone’s armpit) to cheeky references to the darker side of the city (in truth, we’re a right bawdy lot), everything there is to be said about London has been said.

I’ve chosen 50 of the best London quotes that say everything you need to know about this bizarre but beautiful city… then added in a bit of sarcastic commentary to keep things lively. Enjoy!

The Best Quotes About London

These London quotes show the pride, the joy, the pure fabulousness that is this weird but wonderful city.

“In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.” Paddington Bear.

Paddington has sagely identified our fair city’s greatest strength.

“By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.” Samuel Johnson.

“It is difficult to speak adequately or justly of London. It is not a pleasant place; it is not agreeable, or cheerful, or easy, or exempt from reproach. It is only magnificent.” Henry James.

“London is a roost for every bird.” Benjamin Disraeli.

“London always reminds me of a brain. It is similarly convoluted and circuitous. A lot of cities, especially American ones like New York and Chicago, are laid out in straight lines. Like the circuits on computer chips, there are a lot of right angles in cities like this. But London is a glorious mess.” James Geary.

“There are two places in the world where men can most effectively disappear — the city of London and the South Seas.”  Herman Melville.

“To walk alone in London is the greatest rest.” Virginia Woolf.

“The best bribe which London offers to-day to the imagination, is, that, in such a vast variety of people and conditions, one can believe there is room for persons of romantic character to exist, and that the poet, the mystic, and the hero may hope to confront their counterparts.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.  

“London is a bad habit one hates to lose.” William Sansom.

“The vibe of London as a city is captivating. It’s both fast-paced and extremely rushed but still has the calmness that would attract any big-city person.” Ali Fazal.

“I’ve been walking about London for the last 30 years, and I find something fresh in it everyday.” Walter Besant.

“Yes, London. You know, fish, chips, cup o tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary-fucking-Poppins. London!” Dennis Farina.

“London opens to you like a novel itself… It is divided into chapters, the chapters into scenes, the scenes into sentences; it opens to you like a series of rooms, doors and passages. Mayfair to Piccadilly to Soho to the Strand.” Anna Quindlen.

“The parks be the lungs of London.” Charles Dickens.

Did you know that London has so many trees that it falls within the UN definition of a forest?

“London goes beyond any boundary or convention. It contains every wish or word ever spoken, every action or gesture ever made, every harsh or noble statement ever expressed. It is illimitable. It is Infinite London.” Peter Ackroyd.

“I have often amused myself with thinking how different a place London is to different people.” James Boswell.

“The English language is like London: proudly barbaric yet deeply civilised, too, common yet royal, vulgar yet processional, sacred yet profane.” Stephen Fry.

“I long to go through the crowded streets of your mighty London, to be in the midst of the whirl and rush of humanity, to share its life, its change, its death, and all that makes it what it is.” Bram Stoker, Dracula.

“As to London we must console ourselves with the thought that if life outside is less poetic than it was in the days of old, inwardly its poetry is much deeper.” Goldwin Smith.

“A bad day in London is still better than a good day anywhere else.” Unknown.

“You are now / In London, that great sea, whose ebb and flow / At once is deaf and loud, and on the shore / Vomits its wrecks, and still howls on for more / Yet in its depth what treasures!” Percy Bysse Shelley.

“The streets of London have their map, but our passions are uncharted. What are you going to meet if you turn this corner?” Virginia Woolf.

“It is my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside.” Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes.

“I like the spirit of this great London which I feel around me. Who but a coward would pass his whole life in hamlets; and for ever abandon his faculties to the eating rust of obscurity?” Charlotte Bronte.

“I don’t know what London’s coming to — the higher the buildings, the lower the morals.” Noel Coward.

Morals? What are morals? Are they like some kind of tree?

“I walk to Oxford Street and climb on the number 8. It’s freezing and it starts to rain and it’s the ugliest bus I’ve ever seen, rattling down the ugliest streets, in the ugliest city, in the ugliest country, in the ugliest of all possible worlds.” David Thewlis.

‘The truth is, that in London it is always a sickly season. Nobody is healthy in London, nobody can be.” Jane Austen.

“Nothing is certain in London but expense.” William Shenstone.

And lots of it! Expense is a gown that London wears well.

“This melancholy London – I sometimes imagine that the souls of the lost are compelled to walk through its streets perpetually. One feels them passing like a whiff of air.” William Butler Yeats.

“There’s a hole in the world like a great black pit and the vermin of the world inhabit it and it’s filled with people who are filled with shit and it goes by the name of London.” Stephen Sondheim.

“London is a splendid place to live in for those who can get out of it.”George John Gordon Bruch, Lord Balfour of Burleigh.

“London, London, London town / You can toughen up or get thrown around.” Kano.

“Do you realise that people die of boredom in London suburbs? It’s the second biggest cause of death among the English in general. Sheer boredom…” Alexander McCall Smith.

“Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” Samuel Johnson.

“I had neither kith nor kin in England, and was therefore as free as air — or as free as an income of eleven shillings and sixpence a day will permit a man to be. Under such circumstances, I naturally gravitated to London, that great cesspool into which all the loungers and idlers of the Empire are irresistibly drained.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

“It is not the walls that make the city, but the people who live within them. The walls of London may be battered, but the spirit of the Londoner stands resolute and undismayed.” King George VI.

“Oh, I love London society! It is entirely composed now of beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics. Just what society should be.” Benjamin Disraeli.

Now it’s time to go and figure which one you are. I, my friends, am a brilliant lunatic. Nice to meet you.

“A person who is tired of London is not necessarily tired of life; it might be that he just can’t find a parking place.” Paul Theroux.

“The man who can dominate a London dinner table can dominate the world.” Oscar Wilde.

“One of the things I most liked about the city – apart from all its obvious attractions, the theatre, the galleries, the exhilarating walks by the river – was that so few people ever asked you personal questions.”Julia Gregson.

“You will recognise, my boy, the first sign of old age: it is when you go out into the streets of London and realise for the first time how young the policemen look.” Sir Seymour Hicks.

“In London, love and scandal are considered the best sweeteners of tea.” John Osbourne.

Who doesn’t adore a bit of gossip over a cuppa?

“I think London’s sexy because it’s so full of eccentrics.” Rachel Weisz.

Sure Rachel, bet you will be singing a different tune the first time someone licks your ear on the tube.

“London is a riddle. Paris is an explanation.” – G.K. Chesterton

“London is a friend whom I can leave knowing without doubt that she will be the same to me when I return, tomorrow or forty years hence, and that, if I do not return, she will sing the same song to inheritors of my happy lot in future generations.” – Stella Benson

“London is a city that has reinvented itself at every turn.” – Julian Fellowes

“London is a modern Babylon.” – Benjamin Disraeli

“London is too full of fogs and serious people. Whether the fogs produce the serious people, or whether the serious people produce the fogs, I don’t know.” – Oscar Wilde

“When it’s three o’clock in New York, it’s still 1938 in London.” – Bette Midler

“London, thou art the flower of cities all!” – William Dunbar

“London is a nation, not a city.” – Benjamin Disraeli

“London is the epitome of our times, and the Rome of today.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“How can you ever be late for anything in London? They have a huge clock right in the middle of the town.” – Jimmy Kimmel

“London is like a smoky pearl set in a circle of emeralds.” – William Henry Rideing

“In London, people can be so… well, it’s not even a case of people being unkind or unfriendly. You just don’t make any contact in London. You go from A to B with your eyes on the pavement.” – Carey Mulligan

“Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a ticket to London” – Anonymous

“I travel continuously, and I see many cities, but there is nowhere like London.” – Norman Foster

“London is like a girlfriend I loved, then really fell out with.” – Lapo Elkann

“A broken heart is a very pleasant complaint for a man in London if he has a comfortable income.” – George Bernard Shaw

“As to London we must console ourselves with the thought that if life outside is less poetic than it was in the days of old, inwardly its poetry is much deeper.” –  Goldwin Smith

“One thing about London is that when you step out into the night, it swallows you.” – Sebastian Faulks

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It’s no secret that London isn’t the cheapest city – step outside of your door and pounds pour from your purse, encouraged by a series of delicious meals and must-see attractions. Believe us, we know how you feel.

So it can be surprising just how many of London’s museums are free to visit. Pretty much all of the city’s biggest museums and galleries cost totally zilch to visit – not something that you can say about many cities.

Not sure where to start? We’ve chosen 39 of the best free museums in London – get some comfortable shoes on. It’s time to explore.

Free Museums in London

Science Museum

South Kensington

South Kensington is home to three of the best free museums in London – the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the V&A.

The Science Museum is the perfect chance to learn more about all the things you’ve ever wanted to know about, and then some! It’s been delighting visitors since 1857 with its amazing collections.

The Museum also does some very fun adults-only “Lates” events. The calendar is very varied – past events have ranged from lectures to Faberge Egg decorating and silent discos, so check the schedule and be sure to book ahead.

Address: Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD

Booking: You’ll need a ticket to enter. Book your slot here.

Natural History Museum

South Kensington

The Natural History Museum is one of the most striking and fascinating free museums in London, and a great day out.

Sadly, Dippy the dinosaur has left the building. These days you’re greeted by a huge skeleton of ‘Hope’, a blue whale skeleton hanging in the world-famous Hintze Hall just inside the entrance of the museum. It’s a striking start to a fascinating museum.

Learn about the history of planet earth, walk in the footsteps of the dinosaurs or take the escalator up into the solar system to explore outer space – it’s a journey through our natural world.

Don’t be turned off if natural history wasn’t your thing in school, it’s impossible not to have a good time (and learn something) in this awesome museum.  

Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD

Booking: There are a few walk-up tickets available on the door, though this isn’t guaranteed so book your tickets beforehand.

The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)

South Kensington

This museum is positively regal – and not just because it was named after (and opened by) Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert.

The huge Victorian Gothic building is striking enough (fittingly so for a museum dedicated to design) – but wait until you get inside.

The V&A has a broad collection loosely focused around art and design, with more than two million pieces in total spread out over five acres.

Be sure to see the world’s largest collection of post-classical (around 500 – 1450 AD) sculptures, many William Morris designs, fashion exhibitions and everything in between.

For fans of more modern fashion, some pieces from the late, great Alexander MacQueen’s catalogue form part of the V&A collection.

Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD

Booking: No need to book, just turn up.

British Museum

Bloomsbury

With an eclectic collection amassed throughout the centuries, the British Museum demands comfortable shoes and a lot of time.

Considering the priceless exhibits on display, the fact that this museum has free entry is a real treat as you embark on an incredible tour through the history of humanity. An entire afternoon or morning will barely skim the surface, while even a full day will leave many treasures undiscovered.

It’s truly mesmerising to be mere centimetres from some of history’s most significant artefacts, like the Rosetta Stone, used to translate Egyptian hieroglyphics, or intricate artwork from the ancient civilisation of Mesopotamia.

Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG

Booking: If you go during the week, walk-ins are pretty easy to get. Or, you can book a timed slot here to guarantee entry.

Museum of London

City of London

With so many free entry museums in London featuring collections sourced from around the world, the Museum of London takes a completely different tack – showcasing the history of our weird and wonderful city.

The museum traces the history of London from prehistoric times through to modern times, with an emphasis on the characters that have called the city home. It’s a fascinating look at the events and people who have made the great city what it is today.

Note: The Museum of London is in the process of moving to a new location in Smithfields and will reopen in 2026. 

Address: 150 London Wall, Barbican, London EC2Y 5HN

Booking: Pre-book your tickets here

National Maritime Museum

Greenwich

Greenwich is full of treasures – few better than the surprisingly good National Maritime Museum, although The Painted Hall comes close.

You don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy learning about Britain’s maritime history. Retracing the history of the seas in Britain from the Roman landings (fittingly, in Greenwich) and onwards is super interesting.

Also keep an eye out for the temporary exhibitions on eclectic subjects throughout the year. Most of are chargeable and will require you to buy a ticket in advance.

Address: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF

Booking: Pre-book your tickets here.

Queen’s House

Greenwich

Queen’s House is a relatively recent addition to Greenwich’s museum collection, and is found in the former royal residence of Queen Anne of Denmark.

In fact, as much of the delight of Queen’s House is exploring the gorgeous neoclassical buildings as it is seeing the art displayed within. First constructed in 1637, it is a very significant building in British architecture.

That said, the art is pretty impressive, too. In particular, be sure to check out the famous Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I.

Despite its fame, historians are not actually sure who painted the 1588 masterpiece, as prior attributions to painter George Gower were proved incorrect.

Address: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF

Booking: Pre-book your tickets to The Queen’s House here.

Imperial War Museum

Kennington

Tucked away in Kennington, the Imperial War Museum is a full-on sensory overload thrusting you into the brutal reality of war.

Through a varied collection that includes letters, films, photographs and artefacts, the museum is an unflinching and often poignant look at modern warfare and its impact on people and society.

The collection is particularly interesting as it offers many different perspectives, from those on the front lines of modern warfare through to the journalists, artists and poets that have covered the subject.

The Holocaust Galleries, over two floors, are a sobering reminder of the horrific impact of war on civilians. It’s rare to experience such a large exhibition shrouded in almost complete silence, but this moving section achieves that.

Address: Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZBooking: Book your tickets in advance to avoid having to queue.

Sir John Soane’s Museum

An odd and totally lovable museum in Holborn, Sir John Soane’s is one of London’s coolest little museums.

Sir John Soane had humble beginnings, but grew to become a great architect who most famously designed the Bank of England, which influenced architectural trends worldwide.

Although most of his work at the Bank of England has been removed over time, you can still step into his eccentric world at this museum. Housed in his former home (and now a few adjoining buildings), it showcases his eclectic collection of art, furniture and various antiques and oddities.

Check it out during the unique “Late” events held every month, when they light it up by candlelight and run a tour on a different theme. Dates vary, so check the calendar online.

Address: 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP

Booking: Just walk in.

V&A Museum of Childhood

Bethnal Green

In Bethnal Green, this offshoot of the popular V&A museum is dedicated to the childhood experience.

Your inner child will love exploring the amazing collection of toys and games from antique dolls’ houses to 1970s action figures. Kids are sure to especially love the hands-on exhibits – little wonder it’s one of the best places to visit with kids in London.

In addition to the large permanent collection, there are also frequent temporary exhibits upstairs.

Address: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA

Booking: No need to book, just walk in.

London Mithraeum

City of London

One of London’s quirkier and lesser-known spots is literally a blend of old and new.

The London Mithraeum is a museum centred around the ruins of a Roman Temple and is located, rather oddly, underneath the shiny glass Bloomberg Buildings in the middle of the city.

A visit to the Mithraeum is not just looking at old artefacts, but a full on sensory experience. There’s a timed entry where you’re thrust into the Roman world for a dramatic and fun-filled ten minutes. Think chanting and moody lighting and you’re on the right track.

Address: 12 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AA

Booking: You can book your timed entry slot here.

Wellcome Collection

Euston

A museum mostly consisting of art about medicine might seem like a bit of a strange one, but the Wellcome Collection attracts more than 700,000 visitors every year.

Inside, you’ll find an oddly fascinating collection of art, books and artefacts relating to the development of medicine around the globe. It’s certainly enough to evoke some morbid curiosity! There are regularly changing temporary exhibitions that, although often sounding niche, never fail to capture the imagination.

As well as the museum, there is also a cafe, a bookshop and a particularly impressive library.

Address: 183 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BE

Booking: You can book a timed entry slot before you visit the Wellcome Collection.

Royal Air Force Museum

Hendon

Occupying a huge area once known as the Hendon Aerodrome, the Royal Air Force Museum has a huge collection of items about the British airforce.

With five hangars and another large building, there’s a vast collection of items from original Supermarine Spitfires from the Battle of Britain, to the Eurofighter Typhoon, in addition to books and photographs.

One of our favourite hangars is Hangar 2 which charts the story of Hendon as a site of pioneering flight in England, into World War I.

There’s also a special section for kids, with replica planes and helicopters, as well as a great cafe.

Address: Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL

Booking: Book your tickets before you go for guaranteed entry.

British Library

Euston

We love the striking red brick buildings of the British Library, home to the largest national library in the world.

The British Library has so many books that no-one knows the exact number. The best guesses put it at between 150 and 200 million in the collections. Pretty amazing, right?

A lot of the building is restricted to readers but they do have a few exhibition spaces where there is always something interesting on.

Address: 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

Booking: Just walk in, but you will need to apply for access to the readers rooms. You can do that here.

Petrie Museum

Bloomsbury

Part of the University College of London, the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology delves into the world of the Ancient Egyptians.

Intricate carvings, clothing, pottery and hieroglyphics from Egypt and Sudan await inside the unassuming brick building.

The initial collection was donated by the 19th century author and Egyptologist Amelia Edwards, and has grown to be more than 80,000 items. It’s a definite must for anyone interested in Ancient Egypt.

Address: Malet Pl, London WC1E 6BT

Booking: No need to book, just rock up and walk in.

Museum of the Home

Shoreditch

The offbeat Geffrye Museum of the Home has finally reopened with a new lease of life.

The collections feature items from domestic life through the centuries, giving you the chance to have a nose at how families have lived throughout history. You can also venture through the beautiful front gardens.

You can also admire the exterior of the building, which is a Grade I listed almshouse dating from the 18th century. 

Now it has reopened it has certainly reclaimed its spot amongst the best free museums and galleries in London.

Address: 36 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA

Booking: No need to book. Just walk in.

Design Museum

Kensington

The Design Museum moved to its new impressive Kensington premises in 2016 after many years on the bank of the Thames.

Inside the ultra-modern new building, the Design Museum walks you through the interesting history of design throughout the ages. The exhibits cover different areas including product, industrial, fashion, architectural and graphic design.

See classics like the London Tube Map brought to life and look at everyday objects in a completely new light after exploring this great London museum – free!

Address: 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG

Booking: No need to book in advance for the free collection – book here for access to paid exhibitions.

National Army Museum

Chelsea

Located in Chelsea, the National Army Museum opened in 2017 after a huge renovation project.

The new, spruced up museum offers five permanent collections devoted to the history of Britain’s land forces. There’s a lot of focus on individual stories and experiences, which adds a lot to the experience.

Entry to the museum is free, but there is also a regular calendar of ticketed temporary exhibits that are worth checking out.

Address: Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HT

Booking: No need to book in advance.

Museum of Brands

Notting Hill

Looking for unusual places to visit in London for free? It might not sound like the most interesting topic for a museum, but there’s a lot to the history of advertising, marketing and packaging.

At the Museum of Brands, you can check out many different items from eyebrow-raising Victorian advertisements to 90s toys.

It’s really interesting to see how advertising has reflected society and attitudes, and you can’t help but feel a bit nostalgic on your visit.

Address: 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG

Booking: There are plenty of walk in spots available, but you can also nab a timed ticket.

Grant Museum of Zoology

Bloomsbury

Another great offering from the University College of London is the Grant Museum of Zoology in Bloomsbury.

The museum was founded in 1828 by England’s first Chair of Zoology, and has one of the oldest natural history collections in the UK.

Within the eclectic collection, some of the highlights include the skeletons of extinct animals such as the dodo, Tasmanian tiger and quagga plains zebra – when it comes to London free museums, this is one of our favourites.

Address: Rockefeller Building, 21 University St, London WC1E 6DE

Booking: Booking is not required.

Note: The museum is currently closed for renovation at the time of writing, but will be reopening fully updated in January 2024.

Hampstead Museum

Hampstead

For over 300 years, Burgh House has been one of London’s most iconic residences.

It was originally built as a lavish home and lived in by characters including Elsie Bambridge, the daughter of Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling. Today, Burgh House is open to the public and houses the Hampstead Museum, a small but thorough local history museum.

There are permanent collections including many of Helen Allingham’s watercolours, as well as a calendar of interesting events.

Address: New End Square, London NW3 1LT

Booking: No advance booking is required, although the museum is only open Wednesday to Friday, and Sundays.

Horniman Museum

Forest Hill

In Forest Hill in leafy south London, the Horniman Museum is like the Natural History Museum but on a much smaller (and more digestible) scale.

Its collection has subjects including natural history, anthropology, and musical instruments, and is particularly famous for its many taxidermied species.

There’s quite the eclectic mix, and you’re sure to find something intriguing at the Horniman Museum.

Address: 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ

Booking: There’s no need to book in advance, although remember that you’ll need to pay if you want to visit the butterfly house and the aquarium.

Bank of England Museum

City of London

Don’t be fooled – it turns out that bank museums can be pretty fascinating (we know, we were pretty surprised too).

For many years, the Bank of England’s collection was only open via a private and exclusive tour, but today it’s much more accessible. Everyone is welcome to check out the collection of bank notes and other memorabilia, for free!

Of all the items, perhaps the most interesting has little to do with money. Instead it’s the emotional resignation letter of Kenneth Grahame, who worked for the bank for 30 years and also wrote the world-famous children’s book The Wind in the Willows.

Address: Bartholomew Ln, London EC2R 8AH

Booking: Just walk in. 

Museum of Docklands

West India Quay

Located in a Grade I listed sugar warehouse in Poplar, the Museum of the Docklands traces the history of London’s docklands.

It’s a fascinating look into an area that was once considered one of the roughest in London, but has undergone a lot of rejuvenation in recent years.

The exhibits are varied, featuring information on workers, residents, buildings and trade unions in the docklands area. There’s also chilling footage from the Blitz on display.

Address: 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, No, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL

Booking: This museum is usually pretty quiet and there’s no need to book in advance. Turn up, and enjoy.

Queer Britain

King’s Cross

Queer Britain has been one of the hottest free museums in London since it opened in May 2022. It’s the UK’s first national museum dedicated to Queer culture.

They have changing exhibitions that reflect the lives and challenges of people in the LGBTQ+ community, be it art from people within the community itself or retrospectives challenging the entrenched narratives of society.

The Queer community have all-too-often been erased from society, and this museum preserves important artefacts and snapshots of LGBTQ+ history that would otherwise have been lost forever.

Address: 2 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH

Booking: The museum is free to enter – just turn up.

Anaesthesia Heritage Centre

Marylebone

Looking for a quirky London museum? Look no further than the Anaesthesia Heritage Centre – a historical spot dedicated to the anaesthetisation of patients (try saying that ten times).

From anaesthesia’s first public use in 1846 to modern day advancements, this museum houses a rare book collection as well as equipment that gives a fascinating insight into the world of anaesthesia, resuscitation, and pain relief. 

And those with morbid curiosity will love it. It’s one of the weirdest free museums London has to offer.

Address: 21 Portland Pl, London W1B 1PY

Booking: Entry is free, turn up between 10am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Vagina Museum 

Stratford

A Vagina Museum! Could such a thing really exist? Yes. Yes it can. This institution began life as a series of pop-ups that eventually grew into an actual museum on all things to do with vagina. 

They’ve had trouble securing funding over the years and, as a result, have ended up bouncing around. Good news though, they will be opening up again in a more permanent location soon and bringing back all the quirky exhibits you could want. 

The museum has recently reopened in its new surroundings near the Olympic Park having moved from its previous Bethnal Green base.

Address: Arches 275-276, Poynser Street, London, E2 9RF

Booking: Entry is free, although you can book in advance with a recommended donation.

Faraday Museum

Mayfair

Part of the Royal Institution, the Faraday Museum is a gem of a collection that celebrates more than 200 years of scientific innovation and pioneering discoveries, named after the much-celebrated Michael Faraday, who was a key part of the evolution of electromagnetism and the development of the electric motor.

Set over three floors, the museum pays tribute to British scientific brilliance from the 1800s onwards, with a recreation of Faraday’s magnetic lab as it would have been almost 200 years ago, and a nanotechnology lab from the modern day to compare against.

Upstairs, meet the likes of Faraday himself, and Ada Lovelace – daughter of Lord Byron and mathematical genius who developed the world’s first programmable computer. Then head up to the first floor to learn about many of the famous scientists to have been part of the Royal Institution over the past couple of centuries.

Address: 21 Albermarle Street, London, W1S 4BS

Booking: Entry is completely free. Turn up and enjoy.

Royal Academy of Music Museum

Baker Street

The Royal Academy of Music Museum forms part of the Royal Academy, which has been recently celebrated its bicentenary. With alumni including the likes of Elton John, Simon Rattle and Felicity Lott, the museum opened in 2001 to provide a telling insight into how great musicians manage their craft.

Among the many rich treasures contained within the museum are Stradivarius stringed instruments, keyboard instruments by the likes of Broadwood, Pleyel and Erard, and enough musical memorabilia to make any music fan a little weak-kneed.

The museum also holds regular recitals, seminars, workshops and family-friendly activities, all totally free of charge.

Address: Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5HT

Booking: No need to book in advance.

London Sewing Machine Museum

Balham

Pretty much equidistant between the South London suburbs of Balham and Tooting lies one of London’s more niche, but extremely compelling museums, the Sewing Machine Museum.

Situated upstairs in a warehouse-style building with a blue sign saying “Wimbledon Sewing Machine Co. Ltd” is one of the most wonderful single-subject collections in London.

Among the sewing machines on show is an 1865 Pollack & Schmidt machine that was given to Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter and later given to her Nanny, while the oldest piece in the collection dates back to 1829, almost 200 years ago. The Thimmonier was named after its inventor, who is thought to have created the first ever sewing machine and cost the museum a whopping £50,000.

Even if haberdashery isn’t your jam, trust us, making the trip to visit the stunning collection is time very well spent.

Address: 292-312 Balham High Road, London, SW17 7AA

Booking: No need to book in advance, although donations are gratefully received to keep the museum open.

Museum of Freemasonry

Holborn

How much do you know about freemasonry? No, us either. Yet, you can find out about the intriguing history of this secret organisation at the Museum of Freemasonry a short walk from Holborn station.

Comprising of two galleries, the museum tells the story of freemasonry, from its inception through to the current day and discover the meaning behind all of the symbols.

The collection on display include a songbook, ceremonial robes and snuffboxes created by Napoleonic prisoners of war, some of which date back 300 years. 

So, if you want to unravel the mystery wrapped around the enigma that is freemasonry, this is a brilliant secret gem.

Address: Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ

Booking: No advance booking is required. 

Free Galleries in London

The Tate Modern

Southbank

The Tate Modern opened in 2000, so it is one of the newer free museums in London, but it has wasted no time in establishing a great name for itself.

Situated inside an old power station on the South Bank, it is one of London’s most impressive museums. A towering monolith of art on the banks of the Thames.

Unsurprisingly, given its name, The Tate Modern houses one of the world’s largest collections of modern and contemporary art.

Check out the expansive permanent collection, with thousands of incredible artworks dating from 1900 through to today. Highlights include works by Monet, Hepworth, Pollock and Rothko and pieces by Picasso from every period of his life.

Add to this an ever-changing roster of temporary exhibitions (for which you have to pay) and you’re onto a winner.

Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG

Booking: Tickets are available on the door, although pre-booking a slot is recommended for the paid exhibitions. If you want to browse the free collections, just turn up and enjoy.

Read Next: 60 Straight-Up Awesome Things to do in London

The Tate Britain

Millbank

Located in Millbank, The Tate Britain is another of the best free museums in London.

The Tate Modern might be the cool new kid on the block, but personally I prefer its more austere sister museum further downriver, the Tate Britain.

The museum opened in 1897 and has been welcoming visitors to admire a huge collection of British art from the Tudor times onwards since.

It’s a walk though the history of the country’s art (though the interpretation of British is relatively loose)  straight through from Hogarth to David Hockney, with British greats such as Gainsborough, Reynolds and Frederick Lord Leighton dotted in between.

Several artists left their life’s works to the Tate Britain, including renowned artist J. M. W. Turner.

Address: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

Booking: As with the Tate Modern, Tickets are available on the door, although pre-booking a slot is recommended for the paid exhibitions. If you want to browse the free collections, just turn up and enjoy.

The National Gallery

Trafalgar Square

If you only make time to visit a few museums during your London trip, The National Gallery should be at the top of your list.

The gallery sits proudly overlooking Trafalgar Square and features an impressive collection with more than 2,300 pieces from the mid 1200s to 1900. It’s certainly one of the best free art museums in London, and a must see.

Botticelli, Leonardo. Rembrandt, Degas, Giotto, Da Vinci, Monet, Titian… you get the point. The National Gallery is like a hall of fame for leading European artists post-Renaissance.

Beware, it’s vast – you’ll need at least a full morning or afternoon to explore the full collection or book a guided tour to learn more.

Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

Booking: You’ll need to book a slot in advance. Warning – they fill up quickly.

National Portrait Gallery

Westminster

Tucked behind the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery is the biggest collection of portraits in the world. It’s not quite as vast as the National Gallery but it’s very much worth taking your time to see the collection.

One interesting thing about this free London art museum is that the paintings are chosen for the significance of the subject, not the artist. Some of the most well-known subjects include William Shakespeare (allegedly), the Bronte sisters and Queen Victoria.

After your visit, stop off at the cool rooftop cafe when you’re finished as the views of London are pretty spectacular.

Address: St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE

Booking: Walk-ins are fine, but book a free ticket here just to be safe.

The Wallace Collection

North of Oxford Street, there’s no missing the striking buildings of the Wallace Collection, one of the most interesting free art museums in London.

Inside the buildings, you’ll find paintings from the 15th to 19th century, with a particularly impressive collection of 18th century French artworks said to rival the collection at Versailles.

This free museum is the only place you’ll ever be able to see these masterpieces – when Sir Richard Wallace’s widow bequeathed the collection, she made it a condition that not a single piece should ever leave the imposing building.

Address: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN

Booking: No need to book in advance for the permanent collection.

Soho Photography Quarter

Soho 

Soho Photography Quarter is an outdoor exhibition space on Ramillies Street that you need to visit.

The gallery’s ethos is all about highlighting the very best of contemporary photography and ensuring that they are accessible to a wide audience, without being stuck behind a pesky paywall.

This extension of The Photographer’s Gallery has been a long time coming – not far from Oxford Street, SQP hosts a rotating programme of modern artworks that will change bi-annually, with the debut exhibition Christian Thompson: Human Being Being Human proving a huge success.

Address: 16-18 Ramillies St, London W1F 7LW

Booking: No need to book – just turn up and admire the work on display.

The Whitechapel Gallery

Whitechapel 

The Whitechapel Gallery may not pack in the pictures like the National Gallery or The Tates but it does have some great collections and roaming exhibitions too feast your eyes upon – and all entirely free. 

Some of the great masters have hung art on these walls. The names in their history books include top dogs like Frieda Kahlo and Picasso. The art you’ll find there now is no less impressive. 

We also love this place for its bookshop. It’s a truly excellent place to pick up great works of literature, art books and more. Plus with all the money you’ve saved on a ticket, maybe you’ll have some left to spend here. 

Address: 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX

Booking: No need to book 

Guildhall Art Gallery

The City of London 

How many London Galleries do you know that boast an actual Roman amphitheatre in their basement? Because that’s exactly what they’ve got at Guildhall Art Gallery. 

Yep, the structure was unearthed in 1988 when the gallery was expanding, and has been confirmed as the sort of place the Romans would have enjoyed watching people fight to a grizzly but (at least?) entertaining death.   

In more charming news the top floors are stuffed with great art, most of it pre-modern, some dating as far back as several hundred years. 

Address: Basinghall St, London EC2V 5AE

Booking: Free entry, you can book your ticket to assure entry if you wish.

Royal Institute of British Architecture

Marylebone

As you’ll know, we’re big fans of architecture, particularly in London, and the Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA) have three purpose-built exhibition spaces at their Portland Place location designed to showcase items from their extensive collections.

The Architecture Gallery shows off the best of their collections in a regularly-evolving exhibition, while the First Floor Gallery and Practice Space shows off RIBA’s relationship with architects and clients along, while highlighting RIBA award winners and education programmes.

Check out the range of current exhibitions here

Address: 66 Portland Place, London, W1B 1AD

Booking: Entry to the exhibitions is completely free 

So, there we are – the best free museums in London. Plenty to keep you entertained and out of trouble right?

Read More: Unmissable Things to do in London

Need To Know

• Although the museums are free, the smaller ones, in particular, do appreciate donations. If you have any spare pounds, they’ll be well used to keep the museums open and fund them for future generations.
• It’s hard to avoid the crowds at the bigger free museums and galleries in London, but going mid-week and away from school holidays can help. Get there early when they’re generally at their quietest.
• For the larger museums like the British Museum and the Natural History Museum, research what you want to see beforehand. If there’s something you’re desperate to see, check whether it’s on view – many of the largest museums like the Tate Britain rotate their collection on a frequent basis so not everything is on show.
• We’ve mentioned the museum “Lates” in quite a few entries. These are when London’s museums open late into the night for special events and exhibitions. They’re a really interesting way to see a different side of the museum – but they are rarely free.

Best Free Museums in London: Map

The post 39 Free Museums in London appeared first on London x London.

Good news theatre lovers. It’s curtains up for the return of a much-loved north London venue. Yep, the famous King’s Head Theatre is making its grand return in January 2024 with a new 200-capacity venue. 

It’s a move that’s been rumoured for some time now, but was confirmed with the venue’s closure in August. As well as the improved capacity, the new theatre boasts space to seat 50 for cabaret and drag shows, a stage for comedy and extra rehearsal space for the actors. 

Where’s all this going to be? Just behind the theatre’s original pub location, not that you’ll need that pub – the new theatre also boasts two swanky new bars. 

What’s All the Fuss About?  

The King’s Head Theatre was a bit of a mainstay of London’s fringe theatre scene. Many great actors, now household names, cut their teeth on the stage here… 

Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, you’ve heard of them, right? How about Jennifer Saunders and Victoria Wood? They’ve all come through this venue in the off-beat productions that make it famous (and have even won it an Olivier Award). 

There’s also a bit of speculation about who will be the creative vision behind the theatre as the original (and much revered) creative directors Hannah Price and Mark Ravenhill have left the company during this interim period. 

The Opening Show 

Opening night for the new venue will be the 5th of January 2024 with a new play called Exhibitionists. It’s a new comedy written by Olivier Award-nominee Shaun McKenna. 

It’s a play about a comic crisis that unfolds when two ex-lovers run into each other at an exhibition and culminates with no end of backlash from their current partners and a road trip that leads to mysterious places. 

If you want to book tickets to that, you can find them here.

The King’s Head Theatre: Practical Information 

Where: 116 Upper St, London N1 1AB

When: Opening show is on the 5th January 2024

Website

The post The King’s Head Theatre is Back and Bigger than Ever! appeared first on London x London.

You’re probably painfully aware that London is in the midst of a housing crisis. Your rent is too expensive, if you want to move it’s a Sisyphean struggle. At the same time, homelessness is on the rise and there’s not much being done about it. 

Architect-provocateur Russell Curtis thinks he might have the answer to alleviating some of the city’s housing woes: he wants to build social housing (among other things) on parts of London’s many golf courses. 

His plan, known as Holes to Homes, has environmental concerns and equitable use of land at its core and has very much grabbed our attention. Here’s what he had to say. 

First of all, would you just be able to introduce yourself and RCKA in your own words?

Sure. Well, my name’s Russell Curtis. I’m the founding director of RCKA, which is a small architectural practice of 25 people based in central London. 

Our work covers a wide range of sectors, but it’s worth saying all of our work has a sort of social focus. So delivery of social value and that sort of thing is fundamental to most things we do. It’s something that underpins our practice.

Okay. And can you just tell me a little bit about Holes to Homes as well?

Sure. Well, this all started out a couple of years ago when, under lockdown, I was walking around, you know, when you were allowed to go out for a half-hour walk each day, and found it frustrating that a lot of the routes that I wanted to take were blocked by golf courses.

I happened to live in an area that’s sort of peppered with them. And so I began to wonder about the number and extent of golf courses in London. I took it upon myself to map them all and work out how big they are and who owns them. 

There’s something like over 90, and together they take up a space bigger than the whole of Brent – so it sort of occurred to me that perhaps was not the most equitable use of land. 

So it’s basically a lockdown project that grew legs and started running? 

Yep, I published the research and then the practice decided to do a bit of speculative (and deliberately provocative work) on looking at what might happen if you were to take one of those courses and turn it into something that served a better use to society. 

We focused on Enfield Golf Course partly because we know the area reasonably well. But also Enfield is a borough that’s facing profound housing challenges, particularly around homelessness and temporary accommodation.

I put it out on Twitter and I was amazed at how interested people were in it. It’s partly because it can be rather an emotive subject, can’t it? As soon as you talk about building on green space, people get very excited.

So should we be building on these green spaces? 

I think [the decision] really has more to do with the proximity to things like tube stations and high streets, there’s no point building on a golf course that’s miles from anywhere, but if it’s within walking distance of a tube station, then it’s probably worth considering.  

You could say the same about the Green Belt. It’s really just about using our green spaces effectively. 

I think one of the important things is that what I’m not advocating is just building across the entirety of every golf course. I’m interested in how golf courses can serve more people. The proposal we’ve done in Holes to Homes is not just about housing. 

It’s also creating diverse wetlands and nature reserve social infrastructure, cycling or walking routes, all of that sort of stuff, and keeping nine holes. I think we can balance all of these things.

How realistic an ambition do you think it is to actually get this done?

Actually, it would be ludicrous to suggest such a thing. Planning policy, particularly in London, is very much against the idea of building on any kind of open space 

Without getting too planning geeky, almost every course in London, with only one or two exceptions, is either green belt or something that’s called metropolitan open land, which is a planning designation which effectively gives you the same level of protection.

But as it happens we have had some very interesting inquiries from several courses about the potential for some element of development. 

I think a lot of the courses would actually welcome some degree of development because it might generate some additional income for them to be able to upgrade their facilities and perhaps give their club a little bit more of a life, but keep a part of the course. 

Amid the housing crisis, there are almost shades of should we even be having this kind of conversation, right? Shouldn’t the government be doing something about it? 

The problem is that any discussion like this very quickly becomes ideological. I think there are practical solutions to all of this. Nobody can deny that we have a profound housing crisis and we particularly have a crisis in affordability. 

The levels of families in temporary accommodation and unstable house situations have rocketed so something has to give. 

Now I’m not suggesting for one minute that building on golf courses on the green belt or anything is going to be the silver bullet. The core of all of this but we have to take a pragmatic approach to housing.  

What are the issues holding up this kind of forward-thinking development?

The planning system is just not working at the moment. It’s way too unpredictable and it’s subject to political interference. It also takes way too long and it’s way too expensive. All this just generates risk and where there’s risk there’s uncertainty and that’s where developers profit. 

If you really want to build lots of new homes, you need to make the planning system much more predictable. Some degree of Green Belt reform would probably sense.

Thanks for speaking to us, Russell. Anything you’d like to add? 

I think it seems almost inevitable that Sadiq Khan is going to have a third and final term. So in that case I would advocate that his new London Plan, which sets out his vision for London over the next decade, should be much bolder. 

I think that he can start to perhaps lower some of the barriers to building on the open space in the right places and strengthen it up in others. 

It’s about time we took a look at, or at least did some investigations into whether [this legislation] is achieving the things that we needed to achieve.

The post Should We Build Housing on London’s Golf Courses? Let’s Find Out appeared first on London x London.

When you think of Shakespeare in London your mind probably jumps straight to The Globe. Fair enough, it is a pretty iconic site (even if the site has moved since The Bard’s day). But did you know that before Old Bill took to the stage there, he cut his teeth in the theatres of Shoreditch? 

As it happens one of these fabled theatres is being turned into a new permanent museum dedicated to Shakespeare’s pre-Globe work, set to open sometime in spring 2024.  

When’s that? They’re saying pre-1598 which would mean The Bard and his theatre company would be at pretty astronomical heights of fame already, with Romeo and Juliet and Henry V already successful productions.

What’s the Lowdown?

Queue everyone’s favourite buzzword: the exhibitions at The Museum of Shakespeare are going to be fully, yes, you guessed it, immersive!

As hackneyed as the word is these days, what they’ve got lined up does sound pretty cool. They’re going to be using AI technology to recreate parts of Shakespearean plays and project them onto a stage for us all to watch. 

Given that this will be happening on the site of The Curtain Theatre, and the actual stage where these plays would have been performed for the first time way back when, we’re genuinely very excited.  

They’ll also be working in other exhibits to invoke the sounds and smells of The Bard’s London, not such a charming feature as the whole stage thing but still cool nonetheless. 

The Curtain Theatre

The Curtain Theatre was Shakespeare’s Shoreditch playhouse, though for much of the time he worked its stage it was known simply as The Theatre. The place had been lost for hundreds of years but was rediscovered in an archaeological dig in 2012. 

Many of his great plays debuted here, including Every Man in His Humour which starred Shakespeare himself. That means when you’re looking at the stage in the Museum of Shakespeare, you’ll be seeing the very place he once walked – a pretty cool thought to say the least. 

Though we can’t quite get over the fact Old Bill might have been a Shoreditch hipster back in his day…

Museum of Shakespeare: Practical Information

When: Spring 2024 – exact date still TBA

Where: The Stage, 22 Hewett St, London EC2A 3NL

Website

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Fancy a night out at the theatre? London’s West End is rather legendary, and catching a show is a magical way to spend an evening in London. There are always plenty of shows to go and see, but how do you pick the best one for you?

From famous book adaptations like the trio of Roald Dahl musicals you can find around London right now, to a plethora of award-winning musicals and retellings and new takes on stories you’ve always loved (we’re looking at you Harry Potter), we’re certain this guide has just what you’re looking for. 

The Best West End Shows in London 

Currently Showing 

Les Miserables

Sondheim Theatre 

West End’s longest-running musical, Les Miserables, is one you don’t want to miss.

Even if you’ve seen the show, the rotating cast of top talent, a brilliant script and breathtaking staging means that you can see it multiple times and it never gets old. It’s that good.

The show is performed to the backdrop of paintings by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables author. The highly emotive performances from each and every single actor is phenomenal, they truly bring the story to life. 

Buy Tickets Here

Hamilton

Victoria Palace Theatre

Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton is the winner of 11 Tony Awards, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical theatre Album.

The award-winning musical blends jazz, hip hop, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway whilst telling the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers and George Washington’s right-hand man. 

Catch the show at West End’s Victoria Palace Theatre. It’s one of our favourite West End shows. Trust us – you want to be in the room where it happens.

Buy Tickets Here

Matilda The Musical

Cambridge Theatre

If you’re a Roald Dahl fan, make sure you catch Matilda The Musical showing at the Cambridge Theatre. The much-loved children’s book has been adapted for the West End and it is a show that all the family will enjoy. 

The faithful live-stage adaptation will have you on the edge of your seat and tapping your feet as Matilda Wormwood follows her dreams of escaping her neglectful parents through her love of literature – but will she get her happy ever after? 

Buy Tickets Here

Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked is the prequel to The Wizard of Oz and it tells the story of Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of The West) and her friendship with Glinda (the Good Witch of the South).

Showing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, the popular show has been nominated for six Tony Awards and has been described as being one of the best musicals of our time. 

It’s a truly magical show brimming with imagination and emotion that makes for an engrossing story the whole way through. 

Buy Tickets Here

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Palace Theatre

Calling all witches and wizards! You need to watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  

We’re sure that this iconic franchise needs no introduction, but this two-part play follows Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years after they saved the wizarding world. 

They’ve joined a new generation of wizards and witches to expelliarmus mysterious evil forces once and for all. It’s a moving and enthralling coda to the magical franchise we all love so much. We’re sure any fans will get quite the kick out of it. Muggles need not attend. 

Buy Tickets Here

The Lion King

Lyceum Theatre

A long-time favourite on the London theatre scene, The Lion King is up there with the best of the West End. That means if you want to hit the theatre but you’re not sure which show to watch, this would be one of our top picks.

Based on the 1994 Walt Disney movie, the West End musical show brings the animations magic to life for the stage with outlandish animal costumes, giant hollow puppet props and music from Elton John. 

It’s entertaining from start to finish and pretty much a must-see production. The fact that the Lyceum Theatre has been hearing the sounds of Hakuna Matata since 1999 with close to 8000 shows under its belt should be a testament to that. 

Book tickets here

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

The Playhouse Theatre

This classic musical takes over the stage at the Playhouse Theatre to tell the tale of a relationship between an American writer and a British cabaret singer. 

Cabaret is set to the backdrop of Berlin’s decline during the Weimar Republic, and the rise of Fascism in 1930s Germany, the big point being that in a world where everything is becoming scarily authoritarian, a cabaret club is the last bastion of freedom. 

Of course, jazz-age Germany and the cabaret club make the perfect setting for a good musical number or two, and some very dramatic storytelling. No surprise the play goes down in the history books as one of the best-selling ever. 

Book tickets here

Moulin Rouge! The Musical?

Piccadilly Theatre 

Nominations, and eleven Outer Critics Circle Awards pretty much say it all. 

This massively popular musical shoots its audience back into Paris’ seedy nightclubs at the turn of the last century with songs and love stories abound. 

The play is a stage adaptation of the equally classic Baz Luhrmann film of the same name and features all the glitz, glam, and musical flare of the movie. If you’re looking for a flamboyant night of larger-than-life performances, this is the one for you. 

Buy Tickets Here

Six 

Vaudeville Theatre 

Henry the 8th is known for his womanising, and for the grizzly end his wives often met. For a play about the perspectives of those unlucky women, Six is surprisingly uplifting. 

The six women of his life turn back the clocks and recount their stories of love and loss through the form of song and dance, digging on the ex they all have in common. 

The result is a sass-fuelled few hours of hilarity. It’s cleaned up a couple of Tony awards, including Best Score, so you can be sure you’re in for a hell of a ride with this one. 

Book tickets here

The Book of Mormon

Prince of Wales Theatre

For a truly side-splitting production, head to the Prince of Wales Theatre for The Book of Mormon.

From the creators of South Park (warning: the comedy is very on-the-nose), comes this hilarious musical about two Latter-Day missionaries who have been posted to a remote Ugandan village. 

Whilst there, the missionaries are supposed to preach about faith to the church and convert the villagers to Mormonism. This doesn’t exactly go to plan as the imminent threat from HIV, FGM and oppression from their warlord unfolds.    

Buy Tickets Here

Back to The Future: The Musical

Adelphi Theatre

If you’ve ever seen the film (and if not, why not?), you’ll already know that Back to The Future’s imaginative storyline grips from the get-go.

Cranking it up a notch with grand musical stores and stellar performances throughout, Back to The Future: The Musical takes us on an electrifying journey back in time when Marty McFly finds himself transported to 1955. 

He accidentally changes the course of history, but can he fix the present, escape the past and send himself back to the present day in time? 

Buy Tickets Here

Phantom of the Opera

His Majesty’s Theatre

The West End’s most haunting love story, Phantom of the Opera returns to Her Majesty’s Theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sensational long-running musical stars double Olivier Award nominee Killian Donnely at The Phantom, Lucy St Louis as Christine Daae and Thys Whitfield as Raoul.

The Phantom awaits in this masterpiece with outlandish costumes and some of the West End’s best theatrical performances.     

Buy Tickets Here

Standing at Sky’s Edge 

The National Theatre 

Standing at Sky’s Edge got its London opening in the National Theatre in 2023 and had a very well received run. In 2024 we get it back for round two. If you didn’t catch it initially you’ll want it on your radar for the return. 

The play tells the story of several lives on a council estate in Sheffield, across several generations. Some want to get as far away from the place they were born as possible, seeking fortune and fame in the big city of London. Others want to stay close to home and raise families. 

What you’ll see is a touching, at times light-hearted, at times deep, musical that questions the nature of home, and what the place we’re from means about us. 

Buy Tickets Here

Frozen

The Theatre Royal 

It was probably just a matter of time until the Disney movie that grabbed the hearts of every child in the country was turned into a musical for the West End. Well, here it is. 

The stage version follows the same story as the 2013 film as Elsa and Anna run away from home and encounter a menagerie of strange friends who help them understand the big wide world. 

The stage version features more songs (including a few new ones written just for this production) and deeper characters – though that latter point doesn’t make it any less enjoyable for kids, just maybe slightly more enjoyable for adults. 

Buy Tickets Here

Jersey Boys 

The Trafalgar Theatre

Jersey Boys follows the rise and fall of The Four Seasons. Nope, not the swanky hotel, a musical group from the 60s that shot Frankie Valli, among others, to super-star fame. 

That fame comes with all the trappings of a good band story, from can’t-believe-we-made-it early days to the arguments, fallouts, and eventual separation. 

The show is almost as classic as some of the songs The Four Seasons put out in their time. It’s juicy. It’s gripping. It’s full of great musical numbers – what more could you want from a West End show?

Book tickets here

Mamma Mia

Novello Theatre

Join in on the Mamma Mia fun at the Novello Theatre and watch the live adaptation of the world’s sunniest smash-hit musical.

Mamma Mia follows a mother, a daughter and three potential dads as they take an unforgettable trip down the aisle. 

Since premiering in London over 23 years ago, this well-loved feel-good musical has transported countless thousands to the sunny Greek island with a soundtrack of ABBA’s timeless songs. It’s still going strong.  

Buy Tickets Here

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

Aldwych Theatre

At the Aldwych Theatre, Tina Turner’s life story is told in grand musical form through the Grammy Award-Winning musical: Tina – The Tina Turner Musical. 

The jukebox musical, featuring heaps of classic music by Tina Turner showcases the singer’s life from humble beginnings to rock n’ roll star. However, the musical is not just about Tina Turner’s fame but the trials and tribulations she faced in order to succeed.

Her inspiring journey to becoming one of the most successful recording artists of all time is a riveting watch. 

Buy Tickets Here

Guys and Dolls

Bridge Theatre 

Guys and Dolls needs no introduction. The classic tale of gangs in prohibition-era New York and the romances that form in spite of their bloody divides is a tale as old as time. 

It’s recreated at The Bridge Theatre in a semi-immersive style meaning that, although you can choose to sit and watch theatre in the round, the good old-fashioned way, you can also interact with the actors on stage and soak the action in as part of the musical itself. 

With Nicholas Hytner at the helm, it’s almost certain this production will keep the legacy going strong. 

Buy Tickets Here

Mrs Doubtfire

Shaftesbury Theatre 

This stage adaptation of Robin Williams’ classic 1993 film, Mrs Doubtfire, got a rough run on Broadway before beginning plans to come to the UK. 

It was initially panned in The States for being insensitive but has received better reviews from its British audience. 

Four-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks is on the direction, so you’re in good hands there. You can expect the heartwarming tale of the movie with plenty of the humour too, this time with the added slapstick and drama of the stage to heighten a live performance.

Buy Tickets Here

Sunset Boulevard

The Savoy Theatre 

Classic film noir tale of a writer trapped into a contract he can’t get out of in the faded grandeur of a Hollywood star’s mansion is playfully reimagined for one of the grandest theatres the West End can boast. 

Not only that but the production brags a star-studded cast with none other than Nicole Scherzinger coming in to take the lead role of Norma Desmond herself. 

The production has come from Broadway where it filled theatres for several years. It’s doing the same here and is one that’s well worth a watch. 

Book tickets here

Hamnet 

The Garrick Theatre 

Hamnet takes the basis of Maggie O’Farrell’s historical-fiction novel and makes it into a thrilling play for the West End. 

The story is a reimagining of the life and lovers of William Shakespeare. It follows his relationship with Agnes Hathaway, a healer and the death of their eleven-year-old son to the plague. 

The events set into question everything they thought they loved about each other in a powerful production that’s delivered by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the top of their game. 

Book tickets here

Choir of Man

Arts Theatre 

Part of the joy of a good musical is the escapism of letting yourself be swept up in performance and song. If that’s what you love about the stage, you’ll find it in spades in Choir of Man. 

The production is a mash-up of some top-notch classic rock songs performed in a pub setting complete with a working bar. The show uses this to pretty much create the ultimate night out in a rock ‘n’ roll boozer. 

Expect to hear songs from Guns’N’Roses, Adele, Avicii, Paul Simon and heaps more. 

Book tickets here

Stranger Things First Shadow 

Phoenix Theatre

This production understandably got mountains of attention when it was announced, then (if it was even possible) more attention when the curtains opened. 

It’s a play version of the hit TV series Stranger Things that’s been worked on by the Duffer Brothers and the show’s writer Kate Trefry in conjunction with serious playwright heavyweight Jack Thorne. 

The story is an origin story of sorts and follows Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado as youngsters in the days before the TV series begins. It also promises to hold hints to how the TV show’s story might end – not a spoiler, just a clue…   

Book tickets here

The Witches 

The Apollo Theatre

This adaptation of the famed Roald Dahl book has been touted as one of the best new musicals to hit London in recent years, sweeping up five-star reviews from pretty much every critic that put pen to paper to review it. 

The duet of Olivier Award-winner Lucy Kirkwood Tony Award-nominee Dave Malloy working the songbook is a large part of the success, but there’s no denying plenty of Dahl’s magic makes it through to the stage, and that’s what’s part of the charm. 

It’s on at the National Theatre now until the 27th January 2024 so you’ve still got some time to catch it. We expect it will be on the West End stage for a second run once the curtains close. 

Book tickets here

Upcoming Shows 

Standing at Sky’s Edge 

Gillian Lynne Theatre

From 8th February – 3rd August 2024

Standing at Sky’s Edge got its London opening in the National Theatre in 2023 and had a very well received run. In 2024 we get it back for round two. If you didn’t catch it initially you’ll want it on your radar for the return. 

The play tells the story of several lives on a council estate in Sheffield, across several generations. Some want to get as far away from the place they were born as possible, seeking fortune and fame in the big city of London. Others want to stay close to home and raise families. 

What you’ll see is a touching, at times light-hearted, at times deep, musical that questions the nature of home, and what the place we’re from means about us. 

Buy Tickets Here

Before After 

The Southwark Playhouse 

7th  February – 2nd March 2024

This production was originally screened from the Southwark Playhouse in 2020 (can you guess why?) Now they’re taking to the stage in physical form after a very well-received world tour that impressed audiences from Japan to the Netherlands.

The musical follows a very unusual couple. Ami, played by Grace Mouat of & Juliet fame, meets Ben (Jacob Fowler) and knows instantly that they were once deeply in love. The only problem is, Ben has no memory of it. 

Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged. 

Book tickets here

Edward Scissorhands 

Sadler’s Wells 

5th December 2023 – 20th January 2024 

Another classic tale that’s coming to the stage at Sadler’s Wells (Ok, maybe not the West End, but we think you’ll want to know about this one anyway), is this production of Edward Scissorhands. 

It’s the work of Matthew Bourne, a highly esteemed choreographer who’s been given an OBE for his contributions to British theatre. Expect the play to feature plenty of incredible dance sequences and no small amount of the wow factor. 

Book tickets here

The Motive and the Cue

Noël Coward Theatre

9th December 2023 – 23rd March 2024

Sam Mendes has taken the stage at the National Theatre by storm before with The Lehman Trilogy. Then he did it again with The Motive and the Cue. Back by popular demand, the play is now getting a second run in the West End. 

The Motive and the Cue holds a mirror up to theatre itself, following a romance between real-life actor Richard Burton who has landed the role of a lifetime playing Hamlet and his lover, the already-established Elizabeth Taylor. 

It looks at how celebrity can come between love and the drama that goes on behind the scenes of a big production which provides no end of meta-irony as that’s exactly what this play is. 

Book tickets here 

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie 

The Peacock Theatre 

8th February – 23rd March 2024

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has been nominated for Olivier Awards no less than five times and is making a comeback to the West End, we expect with the hope of actually taking an award home with it this time. 

The story follows the life of Jamie, a teenage boy who decides to attend his end-of-year prom in a dress. The story is based on the real-life events surrounding Jamie Campbell. A tale covered in BBC Three docco Jamie: Drag Queen at 16. 

The musical is most notable for its score by Dan Gillespie Sells. Let us assure you, it’s full of catchy hits. 

Book tickets here

MJ the Musical

The Prince Edward Theatre 

6th March – 22nd June 2024

The life of Michael Jackson was ripe for jukebox musical adaptation though for obvious reasons the production also poses some problems. 

For MJ the Musical, the solution presented itself by choosing to focus solely on one special fragment of the King of Pop’s life, namely the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It’s a perfect vehicle to explore the creativity and passion that made MJ the star he was without sacrificing on the happy-go-lucky mood of a West End musical. 

The result is a set of MJ’s best hits excellently choreographed to recreate the magic of seeing the man live on stage. If you’re an MJ fan, you’ll want to catch this one. 

Book tickets here

The Player Kings

Noël Coward Theatre

1st April – 22nd June 2024

We were super excited when we heard about this one and we’re expecting you will be too. The legendary Sir Ian McKellen will be taking to the stage to play the role of Falstaff in The Player Kings. 

The production is an amalgamation of the two parts of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, pushed together to make one, more bite-sized, story. The role of drunken knight Falstaff is generally regarded as one of the best roles The Bard ever wrote so we’re itching to see how McKellen takes to it. 

We’re sure he’s going to knock it out of the park (or the theatre) 

Book tickets here

An Enemy of the People

Duke of York’s Theatre

6th February – 6th April 2024

Renowned German theatre director Thomas Ostermeier is making his West End debut with a play by the even more widely renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen, An Enemy of the People. 

The play follows the story of a small-time scientist, Dr Stockmann, who discovers the water in his town has healing qualities. This throws into the air a whole load of questions about what the town should do with this knowledge. 

Ostermeier’s production was performed elsewhere in the world before coming to London and is noted for a debate section where the audience discusses the ethics of the situation with Dr Stockmann. As fans of classic plays, we’re excited to say the least. 

Book tickets here

London’s West End Shows: Map 

The post The Best West End Shows on in London Right Now (And The Upcoming Shows We’re Most Excited About) appeared first on London x London.

Prepare to become totally cultured… The capital is jam-packed with exciting exhibitions for you to feast your eyes upon – from major exhibitions of Dutch master Frans Hals to the UK’s largest-ever retrospective of the raw power of Daido Moriyama and his camera, there’s heaps to see. 

You can even learn about the history of tea at the Horniman Museum or espionage at the Imperial War Museum if you’d like a break from looking at London’s stunning art collections…

We’ve even been kind enough to put them all in calendar order for you (you’re welcome). Get your diaries at the ready: these are the best exhibitions in the capital right now, and in the coming months.

Must See Exhibitions in London Right Now

The National Lottery: Habitats of Hope

The Horniman Museum and Gardens 

Until 10th December 2023

In time with the Cop 28 climate conference, The Horniman Museum and Gardens have opened an exhibition with an environmental bent. Habitats of Hope tracks some of the conservation work that’s been done by organisations supported by the National Lottery to save animals on the brink of extinction in the UK. 

To do this they’ve got artist Georgia Tucker to illustrate the animals and curate an exhibition that tours them in their habitats – spaces that range right through from heathland and forest to marshland and the coast. 

More information here

Marina Abramović

Royal Academy of Arts 

Until 1st January 2024

The House with The Ocean View, 2002 | Performance; 12 days. Sean Kelly Gallery, New York. Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives © Marina Abramović. Photo: Attilio Maranzano.

In announcing the first-ever UK exhibition to span the whole life of the enormously revered performance artist, the Royal Academy of Arts created quite a splash. Not least because it has also involved Marina Abramović in person, re-performing some of her most iconic works. 

The live performances are over but if you want to catch the rest of the exhibit it’s on you still have a few weeks. If you don’t know, she’s largely famous for some very ground-breaking performance art that often involves audience participation. 

Rhythm 0, probably her most famous work where she invited audiences to interact with her how they chose, ended up with someone pointing a loaded gun at her head. We do NOT recommend anyone trying to do that again.

Book yourself a ticket here

Hiroshi Sugimoto: Time Machine

Hayward Gallery 

Until 7th January 2024

The Hayward Gallery has put together a major exhibition of the internationally renowned photographer and visual artist Hiroshi Sugimoto – the largest retrospective of the artist’s work to date.  

Sugimoto’s work is often spectral, sometimes eerily so, but never anything less than profound. He works regularly with large-format photography and the black-and-white image with his subject matter largely being nature. 

He’s had major shows at Centre Pompidou, MOMA in New York and the National Gallery here in London. In short: he’s a heavyweight. 

Book tickets here

Sarah Lucas 

Tate Britain 

Until 14th January 2024

Provocative uses of sex, class and gender abound in the Tate Britain as an exhibition of the boundary-pushing multimedia artist Sarah Lucas has opened at the gallery. 

The exhibition features work from a range of her chosen mediums including photography, sculpture and installation, and is narrated by the woman herself, in her voice. The works are punches at our established norms, and often highly humorous.  

Book tickets here

Frans Hals 

The National Gallery 

Until 21st January 2024

Great works from the great painter of the Dutch Golden age Frans Hals are currently on display at the National Gallery. It’s a paid exhibition, as opposed to the free stuff they have on display (also great). 

Hals is most famous for his ‘Laughing Cavalier’, a work that will be on display here alongside about 50 of his most famous and influential paintings. The works have come from all over the world, including many from the Netherlands where the best of Hals’ painting is usually displayed.  

More info and tickets here

The Art of Banksy

84-86 Regent Street

Until 21st Jan 2024

The Art of Banksy is the world’s largest exhibition of Banksy’s work. Yep, you read that right – the largest in the WORLD. The show features 110 pieces of original artwork by the hugely famous street artist, and is stopping in London as part of a tour of the globe.  

Girl With Balloon, Flower Thrower and Rude Copper are all going to be hanging on the walls but unfortunately the mysterious artist isn’t there in person. 

Instead what you will get are many of his close associates spilling the beans – with his/her permission we guess – on how many of the street art stunts were pulled off. This is probably not one you want to miss. 

Book tickets here

Ron Nagle 

Modern Art 

Until 11th February 2024

Ron Nagle is an artist like we’ve never seen before. His works are tiny, and unendingly curious ceramics. Pretty much everything he makes is smaller than 16cm in diameter. Compound this with the fact he often uses these miniature measurements to create scenes or representations of larger things and the show becomes even more fascinating. 

We saw one of his exhibitions at Modern Art before and we have to say we were stunned. There are always plenty of quirky things to see in the galleries of London but this one takes top prize for us. 

More info and tickets here

Daido Moriyama: A Retrospective

The Photographers’ Gallery 

Until 11th February 2024

Legend of the street photography scene Daido Moriyama has a retrospective at The Photographers’ Gallery until February. It’s the first retrospective of the Japanese artist’s work the UK has seen and it’s definitely one to catch if you’re a photography lover. 

Moriyama has been a pioneer in street photography for decades, stalking the streets of Tokyo snapping raw, visceral images of life in the underbelly of a society that’s at once deeply traditional and ultra-modern. 

It’s rare that he’s exhibited on such a depth as this in the UK so we suggest you strike while the iron’s hot and go see what he’s all about. 

More info here

Philip Guston

Tate Modern 

Until 25th February 2024

The art of Canadian-born Philip Guston is typified by restless, sometimes disturbed images. They are a reflection of the anxious, turbulent world he saw around him, from the social and political upheavals of the late 1960s, to an understanding of racism as it is perpetrated in daily situations. 

The unabashed look and characteristic imagery placed him as peer to the likes of Rothko and Pollock. This exhibition at the Tate Modern is the first major retrospective of Guston’s work in over 20 years. 

More info and tickets here

Impressionists on Paper: Degas to Toulouse-Lautrec

The Royal Academy 

Until 10th March 2023

We’re all aware of what the Impressionists achieved in paint, but we often overlook their achievements off the canvas. At the Royal Academy, you’ll be able to take a deep dive into the kind of work artists like Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh and Cézanne did on paper. 

The exhibition features about 70 works by the masters of the age in many different paper-based mediums. Expect to be perusing pastels and watercolours as well as things like sketches by some of the biggest names in art history. 

Among these are works by Post-Impressionists that illustrate the impact the Impressionists had on the art world. 

Book tickets here

Spies, Lies and Deception

The Imperial War Museum 

Until 14th April 2024

The Imperial War Museum has an intriguing exhibition on at the moment. Intriguing because it’s quite literally an exhibition about intrigue. Spies, Lies and Deception is lifting the lid on how espionage works. 

The exhibition looks at the art of spywork over the past 100 years and shows how the jobs done by agencies like MI5 and MI6 influence the outcome of conflicts and save the lives of the folk on the frontline. 

It’s done by looking at over 150 objects (we’re hoping for some Bond-esque gadgets), film footage and photography – all for your eyes only. 

More information and tickets here

Holbein at the Tudor Court

The Queen’s Gallery

Until 14th April 2024

London is never short of monumental exhibitions, and here’s one more for you. The Queen’s Gallery (that’s the gallery at Buckingham Palace by the way) has brought together the largest collection of work by Hans Holbein the Younger in 30 years. 

Holbein is notable for painting the court of Henry VIII. His works illustrate the figures that would have been present from lords and ladies to royalty itself. The exhibition also tracks the artist’s career from the early days so you’ll get a sense of how someone goes from wandering painter to the King’s own artist – quite a story no doubt. 

More information and tickets here

茶, चाय, Tea (Chá, Chai, Tea)

The Horniman Museum and Gardens

Until 7th July 2024

Tea. We Brits can’t get enough of the stuff. But long before we were mixing ours with milk and preparing a plate of biscuits for dunking, civilisations in Asia had been developing a deeply refined and complex culture around the beverage. 

The Horniman Museum has put on a fascinating exhibition all about this. It details the many different ways people enjoy tea around the world in the modern age, how the plant that gives us the leaves is cultivated, and some fascinating ways the drink has been used as a form of or muse for artistic expression. 

More information here 

Women in Revolt! 

Tate Britain

Until April 7th 2024

The Tate Britain is hosting a one-of-a-kind exhibition, also a first of its kind. Women in Revolt! is a sweeping look at female artists working between the years of 1970 and 1990, using this as a backdrop to examine the social and political changes of the times. 

It spans a large amount of artistic practises from painting to performance and everything in between. People alive and politically conscious through the years the exhibition examines will also recognise many of the movements explored.   

Rock Against Racism Punk, and Greenham Common all make appearances, albeit against some of the era’s sadder moments, the AIDS epidemic being one.  

Book tickets here

New Galleries at the Imperial War Museum 

Now Open

The Blavatniks have been very busy of late. Not only have they funded a whole new wing of the National Portrait Gallery, but they’ve also been putting funds into an expansion of the Imperial War Museum. 

What’s called the Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries are now open, showcasing the art of war correspondents over the years. 

The IWM has around 23,000 hours of footage and over 11 million photographs in its archives. You can expect to see some of that being rotated, as well as temporary exhibitions coming through when they’ve got the facilities up and running. 

More information here

Exhibitions to Have in Your Diary For the Future 

Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition

81-85 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington 

8th December 2023 – 17th February 2024

There’s been no shortage of people trying (to varying results) to mimic Wes Anderson’s quirky style on social media recently. No lies, we’ve seen enough on TikTok to start wanting to dress in pastel oranges and wearing fisherman’s beanies. 

One account we really don’t mind looking at is AWA on Instagram. It’s the work of a photographer who travels the world popping snaps of places that look like they should be a Wes Anderson set. 

They’re being displayed at a space in South Kensington for a few months and are full of the idiosyncratic style that you love about the films. 

More information and tickets here

New Contemporaries

Camden Arts Centre 

19th January – 31st March 2024

The annual New Contemporaries exhibition will be returning to Camden Arts Centre late in early 2024. The exhibition is a gathering of art from London’s up-and-coming talent. That mostly includes recent graduates from the city’s top art schools. 

It’s not the same as hitting one of London’s major art institutions but that’s part of the charm of the show: You’re pretty much guaranteed to see something new and exciting. 

It’s also a good opportunity to seek out the names that may well be moving on to bigger shows and brighter futures. 

More information here

Yoko Ono Music of the Mind

The Tate Modern 

15th February – 1st September 2024

Sometimes we’re not sure what Yoko Ono is more famous for, supposedly driving a wedge between The Beatles or her notable career as a performance artist. And a notable career it is, Yoko Ono has covered topics like love, peace and activism in a range of provocative performances, some of which were even banned. 

The Tate Modern’s exhibition looks at this work in depth, including the years she was active in this very city – the place where she met John Lennon. Alongside all the work there’s an interactive ‘Peace Tree’ where visitors can pin their own hopes for world peace for others to read later. 

More info here

Zineb Sedira: Dreams Have No Titles

The Whitechapel Gallery 

15th February – 12th May 2024

The word immersive gets thrown about more than it should in London, and it’s no wonder if you’re as tired as we are of hearing it. That would be no reason to rule out anything that flashes ‘the I word’ at you – you might miss out on some truly cool experiences. 

This exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery would be one good example. Dreams Have No Titles is the creation of Franco-Algerian video artist Zineb Sedira, a project originally conceived for the Venice Biennale in 2022 that’s now made its way to our fair city. 

Sedira is going to turn the gallery into a collection of film sets and tell the story of her own life and that of avant-garde filmmaking through the lens of everything from photography and performance to sculpture. 

It sounds mighty ambitious. Consider our interests piqued. 

More information here

Expressionists: Kandinsky, Münter and The Blue Rider

The Tate Modern 

25th April – 20th October 2024

Ever the subject of curatorial curiosity, The Expressionists are getting a major show at The Tate Modern in 2024. The show will gather the works of the key artists of the movement and explore them through the lens of friendship. 

They’re using the painting ‘The Blue Rider’ as a jumping off point for all this as it was a work that brought some top painters together. Through 130 paintings you’ll get to see how each of the painters exhibited had an influence on each other. Expect thought-provoking narratives and plenty of works from the greats. 

More information here

The World of Tim Burton

The Design Museum 

25th October – 21st April 2024

Tim Burton is getting a full exhibition at the Design Museum in 2024. You probably know the man for the grotesque and often somewhat creepy style of his films, but this exhibition is looking elsewhere – namely at Burton’s collection of illustrations, paintings and photographs. 

It’s a chance to see a new side to the director and his creative output. It’s also an interesting look at his creative process and one that we’re expecting will be pretty illuminating on the topic of his films in an indirect way. 

The exhibition has been touring the world for the past decade and has picked London as its final stop before closing doors for good. 

More information here

London Exhibitions: Map

The post The Must-See Exhibitions in London Right Now (and Early 2024) appeared first on London x London.

When it comes to art galleries, London has more than its fair share. There are the big hitters of course – but others are quieter affairs, sedate stomping grounds for seasoned art enthusiasts or in-the-know locals.

Of course, there’s a good reason why galleries like Tate Modern and The National Gallery are among the most-visited in the world; they display some of the most influential artworks ever to exist. Must-see paintings like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Claude Monet’s Lily Pond, and Pablo Picasso’s Nude Woman all feature on London’s brag list. 

That said, some of London’s best art galleries are perhaps less conventional ones. They are, after all, often the most progressive and thought-provoking. 

So, if you’re Looking for the best art galleries in London? Discover both the city’s most prestigious and unconventional galleries, passing a crypt, tunnel, veneer factory, and even a ‘Nudie Booth’ along the way. 

Art Galleries in London

The National Gallery

Trafalgar Square

At almost 200 years old, not only does the UK’s most-visited gallery hold one of the most valuable European art collections in the world, The National Gallery also holds a position as one of London’s most treasured pieces of architecture. 

Priceless artworks, like ‘Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers’ by Van Gogh and ‘Virgin of the Rocks’ by di Vinci, are surrounded by impressive marble pillars, golf-leaf arches, frescoed ceilings, and Victorian glass roofing. 

With over 2,300 paintings dating from the 13th to the 19th century, it is an Eden for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike.

The King’s Cross Tunnel

King’s Cross

Although a station tunnel might not be the first place you think of for an art display, it feels pretty fitting for London, a city in thrall with its Underground system. 

Rather than displaying physical art works, The King’s Cross Light Tunnel is defined by its LED light display wall which runs along the tunnel’s entire 90 metre length. 

As artists are frequently commissioned to produce site-specific light installations, the tunnel is repeatedly being reconceptualised, completely transforming its energy each time.

Saatchi Gallery 

Chelsea

The Saatchi Gallery is best known for its Young British Artists exhibit, which focuses on undiscovered talent. 

The exhibit was first held in the late 1980s, when owner Charles Saatchi sold his original collection of US art and replaced it with work from completely unknown artists. These artists included Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, both of whom are now world-renowned. 

The Saatchi Gallery may have only opened in 1985, but this unapologetically controversial move made it a staple on the map of best galleries in the city..

Sophie Tea Art Gallery

Soho

Having risen to art-fame entirely through Instagram, Sophie Tea now has her very own Barbie-pink conceptual contemporary art gallery on London’s Carnaby Street. 

With her signature bold and colourful brush strokes and splatters, Sophie immortalises her female followers’ nude photos in protest of beauty standards to prove that all shapes and sizes are beautiful. 

Head to the gallery to admire unapologetically painted boobs, bums, and tums – not only that but you can help yourself to a cup of tea, play a game of Pac-Man, and even take creative selfies in the mirrored ‘Nudie Booth’.

Brick Lane Gallery 

Shoreditch

Decorated head to toe in street art, Brick Lane is like a gallery in itself (and well-worth taking the time to view). 

The Brick Lane Gallery spotlights the distinctive character of the street’s painted bricks by focusing on contemporary and street art. Though they’ve worked with legendary street artists like Banksy, Faile, and Bortusk Leer, their focus remains on emerging and mid-career artists and – as a result – is quickly becoming known as one of the coolest art galleries in town.

Royal Academy of Arts 

Mayfair

Head to the Royal Academy of Arts to see the evolution of contemporary art unfold before your very eyes. It’s no accident that this is known as the spot for finding London’s hottest talents. 

The academy is led by its Royal Academicians, a group of peer-elected artists, the works of whom are displayed in their defiant exhibits. Add to this industry-shaking exhibitions from the world’s most closely watched artists including David Hockney and Tracey Emin and there’s a lot to love. 

The academy’s most anticipated event, the Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest and longest-running open-submission exhibition displaying works by emerging and established artists.

The Vaults

Waterloo

Occupying disused bare-brick railway arches in Waterloo underground station, The Vaults is a striking space for alternative arts and immersive theatre. 

As well as jazz sets, indie plays, and alien-themed musicals, you can discover a continual rotation of awesome alt. art in its tunnels. 

This unique contemporary art gallery is said to feature artists who ‘have a natural affinity for the unusual, the daring, and the unknown’, and that is easy to see.

P.S. don’t miss the Leake Street graffiti tunnel founded by underground artist Banksy.

The V&A

South Kensington

While most art galleries focus on the medium of painting, The V&A is crowned as the world’s largest museum of applied and decorative arts. In fact, it exhibits a 2.27 million-piece-collection of textiles, jewellery, costumes, furniture, ceramics, sculptures, and more, spanning 5,000 years from all corners of the Earth. 

The diversity of The V&A serves as a beautiful (and sometimes much-needed) reminder that art is everywhere you look, intrinsically entwined with history and culture.

The Crypt Gallery

King’s Cross

The prize for the most surreal experience in London goes to The Crypt Gallery, which operates from the hauntingly beautiful 200-year-old crypts beneath St Pancras Parish Church. 

The gallery specialises in exhibiting contemporary art, which creates a striking juxtaposition to the historic arching walls that encase visitors. 

Its exhibitions and events are so well-curated, you almost forget you’re walking beside 557 bodies, all of whom were buried there between 1822 and 1854, and in a former air-raid shelter in both world wars.

Tate Modern

South Bank

Housing the UK’s national collection of international modern and contemporary art, the Tate Modern is undoubtedly the country’s most iconic modern art gallery. The gallery has been considered the mover and shaker of the contemporary art world ever since it opened in 2000. 

Why? Well, one reason is instead of displaying works chronologically, it displays them by theme. Controversially, this allowed it to group pieces from opposite ends of the artistic spectrum together fluidly, allowing its exhibitions to tell a story.

As challenging as it is intriguing, the Tate Modern showcases art from the 60s onwards. Full of unusual methods and materials, this gallery is certain to create plenty of discussion points about what actually constitutes art in the modern world.

Tate Britain

Pimlico

Want to see the best of British art in London? There’s nowhere more fitting to go than the Tate Britain. 

Also known as the National Gallery of British Art, it holds the country’s most extensive collections of national historic art, as well as contemporary pieces. 

The gallery is also known for holding the prestigious and career-defining Turner Prize exhibition, which features the work of its four winning British visual artists each year. Catch it if you can to be among the first to see the next national treasure of the art world.

Elsewhere, check out the best of British art across 500 years of history, from the pre-Raphaelites to David Hockney. Best of all, entry is free.

Chisenhale Gallery 

Bow

Despite being located within an unassuming former veneer factory and brewery warehouse in the East End, the Chisenhale Gallery is perhaps one of the most progressive galleries in the city.

Its mission is simple: to create a cultural impact by working with new alternative talent and learning from its neighbours. 

Not limited by a specific medium, the gallery’s artists (from diverse backgrounds) cleverly address important issues relating to our cultural, political, and natural environment. 

Wallace Collection

Marylebone

Held in the Marquesses of Hertford’s former townhouse, the Wallace Collection is one of the world’s finest collections of French 18th century paintings and decorative art. 

Once owned by Edward Seymour, nephew of Queen Jane Seymour, the noble 17th century townhouse is a thing of architectural beauty in itself. However, it’s the paintings, sculptures, furniture, medieval objects, and armour that undoubtedly take centre stage. 

Among this collection are some of the world’s finest examples of Baroque art with names like Titian, Velazquez, Rubens, and Van Dyck featuring heavily.

Check out the regular seminars, talks, and courses from leading experts and curators to further your understanding of some of the most ornate and stunning pieces housed in the UK.

Arcadia Missa

Mayfair

Tapping into the 21st century, Arcadia Missa is a gallery and publishing house that centres around digital culture and the struggles of the contemporary world. 

While it mostly focuses on giving rise to young emerging artists, you can also expect the odd Turner Prize winner to be featured too. 

Although its digitally-inspired artwork is somewhat unconventional compared to classic oil paintings by 17th century Baroque artists, the gallery’s exhibitions are disarmingly relatable and undeniably captivating. 

Expect to leave feeling both inspired and seen.

National Portrait Gallery

Trafalgar Square

In art, there’s nothing more intimate than a portrait, and at this landmark gallery, you can get intimate with some very famous faces. 

From Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II, The National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of the United Kingdom’s most important monarchs. It also highlights portraits of global historic icons like Frida Kahlo and Isabella Blow, and current influential faces like Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai. 

As well as paintings and photographs, the National Portrait Gallery celebrates portraits through digital mediums like augmented reality.

South London Gallery

Peckham

What we love about South London Gallery (SLG), a contemporary yet historic art space in Peckham, is that it endeavours to ‘bring art to the people of South London’. 

Not only does it do this by showing work from never-before-exhibited artists; it hosts educational and immersive art workshops for young people and adults too. 

Although the gallery is based in its original Peckham Road building, SLG has spread its wings into the old Peckham fire station, and Sceaux Gardens estate, a local artist-designed garden called Art Block for families to enjoy.

With a collection of more than 5,000 paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and drawings, this is one of the less-known, but most outstanding galleries south of the river.

Courtauld Gallery

Covent Garden

Courtauld Gallery in Somerset House is another charming artistic exhibition space in London that is a must-visit. The gallery slash prestigious art school has had a recent multi-million-pound renovation, and the new facelift has led to this gallery being one of the prettiest in the UK.

The exhibition rooms have been totally transformed and are home to some impressive names – Manet, Van Gogh, and Botticelli, to name a few. The Blavatnik Fine Rooms boast artwork spanning the Renaissance to the 18th-century, whilst other rooms display Medieval and 20th-century work in bright and airy spaces. 

Book yourself a ticket here.

The Whitechapel Gallery 

Whitechapel 

The Whitechapel Gallery is an east London art institution and has been for over a century. It’s not as spacious as places like the Tate Modern or the National Gallery, but that doesn’t mean its history doesn’t pack a similar punch. 

Many notable artists have hung their work on the Whitechapel’s walls: Rothko and Pollock, Freida Kahlo and David Hockney too. It was the site of Gilbert and George’s first major show and has even played home to Picasso’s Guernica. 

Today the artist exhibiting are no less prestigious. Cornelia Parker and Alice Neel are just a couple of the names that have slid into the gallery’s excellent collection of modern and contemporary art. 

The Hayward Gallery 

The Southbank 

Resident art space for the Southbank Centre, The Hayward Gallery is another of London’s arty gems. Yet, the space it’s housed in divides opinion, its beautiful brutalist home is a bit of a work of art in its own right. Although King Charles reportedly disagrees. 

The gallery never houses a permanent exhibition, choosing instead to host three or four major exhibitions each year. These exhibitions change on a rotating basis so that two visits to the Hayward Gallery are only the same if you want them to be. 

The Hayward are great at mixing artists that are breaking through with well-established artists. The work on show is usually very contemporary, always relevant and never dull. 

The White Cube 

Bermondsey 

Probably the coolest art space in London, The White Cube is the epitome of everything you think of when you imagine the cool side of the London art scene: wildly dressed hipsters in paint-peppered clothes hobnobbing with the creme de la creme of the art collecting world, dawning careers and shattered dreams. 

Some big artists have come through the gallery’s iconic paired-back spaces: Tracy Emin and Damien Hirst to name just two. Other famous names include Antony Gormley, Gilbert & George combined with newer names such as Ilana Savdie and Haim Steinbach.

Needless to say, the rest of the art is always upbeat and right on the cutting edge of contemporary. 

The Serpentine

Hyde Park

Set across two sites in Hyde Park’s Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine Galleries are another London art hotspot that needs to be on your radar. The south gallery is a Grade II listed ex tea room and the north is an old powder magazine, as in a place to store gunpowder. 

The latter was expanded by Zaha Hadid and linked to the bridge crossing the Serpentine Lake that gives the galleries their name. 

Given the buildings’ colourful history, you might expect their walls would be hung with portraits of old imperialists and offshoots of the royal family. You’d be wrong. The Serpentine champions contemporary art, and is well renowned for doing so. 

Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol are just two of a long list of names that’ve shown work here. 

Dulwich Picture Gallery

Dulwich

The Dulwich Picture Gallery stands on the edge of Dulwich Park and was designed by one of the Victorian age’s master architects, Sir John Sloane.

Founded in the early 19th Century upon the death of Sir Francis Bourgeois who bequeathed his enormous collection of the likes of Constable, Rembrandt and Canaletto among others, the result is one of the most valuable collections of classics from the 16th to 19th centuries not only in London, but globally.

The gallery prides itself on accessibility, offering guided tours for those with disabilities, as well as awesome interactive events and tours to engage art lovers young and old.

William Morris Gallery

Walthamstow

Located in East London, William Morris Gallery was established by a socialist arts and craft designer, William Morris who was influential during the mid 19th century.

Housed in a grade II listed building, plans to establish the gallery were first launched in 1914, yet it wasn’t until 1950 that PM Clement Attlee officially opened it. One of the first visitors was Queen Mary, the dowager Queen and wife of King Edward VII.

The collection takes you on a journey through the life and works of Morris, charting his influence as a radical socialist during a period of enormous social change in London. 

In addition, you can browse a collection of works by his contemporaries such as Rossetti and Waterhouse, as well as female artists of the time such as Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale and Elizabeth Siddal.

Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

Ealing

Not only is Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery another design by Sir John Soane that went on to become an art gallery, it was also his country home in the early 19th Century.

PItzhanger Gallery was established in 2019 following a major restoration project that took three years, taking the manor house back to its original designs as intended by Soane.

Housed in the library building, the gallery had Anish Kapoor as its inaugural artist and has gone on to play home to a roster of impressive names in art, including Erin O’Keefe, Anthony Caro, and Rana Begum.

The Photographers’ Gallery

Oxford Circus

Of course, art isn’t all about brush strokes and pencil sketches. We love photographs, snapping a single moment in time and capturing it forever. And some of the best in the city can be found at the Photographers’ Gallery.

As well as showcasing a wide-range of different exhibitions throughout the year, the gallery provides regular courses, such as zine-making workshops, and promotes young photographic talent with competitions, this is a departure from the gallery norm, and a hugely interesting one at that.

Map

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So, if you’re wanting to find inspiration for your next piece or already have a design in mind, these are the best places to get your new tat in the capital.

Best London Tattoo Studios 

South City Market 

New Cross

Boasting a huge cult following, South City Market is, without doubt, one of the best tattoo shops in London.

The studio itself is super stylish – think industrial minimalism with a healthy dose of neon lighting and greenery. They’ve nailed the perfect balance of comfortable and cool.

With around 20 tattoo artists working at this super stylish studio, you’re in safe hands. Kamil Arthur is a particularly incredible artist and an absolute wizard of fine line and micro-realism (we’ve even been tattooed by him, and we’re obsessed with the result), and be sure to hit up Lauren if you’re looking for awesome fine line, cartoon or otaku art.

Frith Street Tattoo

Soho

Soho’s famous basement tattoo parlour has been going for nearly 20 years, and it’s safe to say that they have well and truly mastered their craft. Whether you want to opt for a small first tattoo or fancy getting a tribal full-sleeve piece, the seven in-house talented artists are on hand to help.

Stefano C’s best work is his colourful Japanese-style tattoos depicting deities and animals – a favourite is an above piece on Fudo. He also specialises in full-body pieces as well as smaller arm, hand, and leg art. 

Meanwhile, we’re also massive fans of Jordan Teear’s awesome artwork, that ranges from devilishly intricate full-back pieces based on snarling big cats or devilish skull art, to simpler fun hand pieces such as thick-line skull “n” crossbones.

Vagabond Tattoo

Hackney

We know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the moment you step into Vagabond Tattoo Studio on Hackney Road, you know the tattoos are going to be incredible.

The contemporary tattoo parlour boasts plenty of talented artists, though, we have to admit that we are head over heels in love with Tuesday Tattoos’ designs – you can’t go wrong with dreamy linework interspersed with florals. 

We also love the vibrant, bouncing Japanese-inspired colour work of Deni Balbino, which makes the perfect feature to an existing sleeve or larger piece, or be incorporated into new fine line work.

Femme Fatale

Hackney

If you’re heavily invested in the tattoo scene, it’s likely you’ll already know who Grace Neutral is. She’s not just one of the best tattoo artists London has to offer, but she’s taken part in plenty of documentaries, exploring beauty standards across the world.

As a result, Grace promotes her Femme Fatale parlour as a safe space for anyone and everyone to get tattooed, making her one of London’s best-renowned artists. 

Her hand-poked tattoos are intricate, neat, and high quality, churning out everything from tiny, barely-there pieces to huge cartoon designs covering entire limbs.

And, if you’re feeling wildly spontaneous? Walk-ins are available on the weekends, so head down for an off-the-cuff inking session.

Storyville

Dulwich

While some studios feel a touch intimidating, Storyville couldn’t be anymore friendly. Husband and wife team Nick and Clare have created a welcoming space that, with its garden terrace, better resembles a cosy cafe more than an inking space.

Nick’s famed for championing the bold and colourful, his pièce de résistance being tribal Japanese designs. However, if you’re after an animal (for some reason, he tattoos many swallows, so bear that in mind when choosing your design) Andrew will be able to sort you right out. We also have a soft spot for his skull-shelled snail design!

Sang Bleu

Dalston

Sang Bleu is Dalston’s hip inking joint that welcomes walk-ins and hosts worldwide talent. With other studios in LA and Zurich, it’s no wonder their London tattoo parlour is so darn cool.

Whatever kind of design you’re after, there’s an artist on hand – from cutesy linework and floral motifs to bright full-colour pieces.

We love the detailing in Lukey Wolf’s work, with big bold lines giving way to incredible levels of detail, especially in his animal art. And we can’t get enough of the contrasts in the work of Paula J Davey’s art too, mixing fine lines with the occasional splash of bold colour that adds depth and texture.  

No Regrets

Clapton

No Regrets have one aim: to tie art and tattoos together. And, like their many tattoo shops across the UK, their cool London studio does just that.

While there are plenty of mediocre tattoo shops that will simply take a design and replicate it without so much as a consultation, No Regrets’ artists work with you to come up with something that is completely unique, and exactly tailored to what you want.

Whether you want movie stars or pets inked on you forever, Mert Sonmez’s realism is utterly staggering, whether in colour or monochrome, and Pietro Idle’s guest tattooing spots always fill up very quickly due to his faultless shading and details-work.

Sticks Not Stones

Bethnal Green

After the daintiest hand-poked tattoos in one of the cutest East London tattoo shops? Charlotte from Sticks Not Stones is your gal. 

Based in Bethnal Green, her adorable studio is a vision of pastels and neon lights – basically, it’s a millennial dream.

Charlotte’s tattoos are equally aesthetic, the likes of florals and celestial line work being her speciality. 

She’s a pro at making sure you’re comfortable, which is particularly great if you’re a tattoo newbie – we couldn’t think of anyone better to give you your first tattoo. 

Good Times Tattoo

Hackney

As the name suggests, Good Times Tattoo takes the stress out of getting inked, likening it to  “a deep spiritual meditation with buzzing needles”. Which we absolutely love. This stunning studio is less dark and dingy, and more spiritually bright and uplifting.

Owner Nikole has hand-picked a talented roster of tattoo legends who each bring something unique to the studio. You’re in safe hands.

Nikole has been tattooing for over 30 years and her striking Japanese full-body pieces prove popular, while one of our personal faves Jodie Mae never fails to wow with her incredible sketch-style pieces of just about everything you could imagine.

The Circle

Soho

Reflecting the eclectic nature of Soho perfectly, The Circle is an excellent centrally located piercing and tattoo studio.

Maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but we’re already planning out our next tattoo and it’s with this incredible artist. 

We’re completely obsessed with her tattoo of Mr Burns as a pastel mermaid (yes, the one from The Simpsons) – infusing classic tattoos with a hit of pop culture is something we can absolutely get involved with.

If it’s something striking and abstract, that’s both eye-catching and thought-provoking, get yourself booked in with Alesky. His work has to be seen to be believed.

Fulham Tattoo

Fulham

Usually we would warn against going to any spot that celebrities have endorsed out of principle, though Fulham Tattoo is an exception to this rule. This shop is over 40 years old, making it one of the oldest tattoo parlours in the capital (and one of the best).

Ed’s Sheeran’s colourful arm pieces? Done at Fulham Tattoo. How about David Beckham? He’s also been inked here. It’s no surprise, given how brilliant the artists are.

Max’s work is our favourite; he’s well versed in pretty much everything from delicately shaded florals to bold lettering, though his portraits are sublime.

Usually we would warn against going to any spot that celebrities have endorsed out of principle, though Fulham Tattoo is an exception to this rule. This shop is over 40 years old, making it one of the oldest tattoo parlours in the capital (and one of the best).

Ed’s Sheeran’s colourful arm pieces? Done at Fulham Tattoo. How about David Beckham? He’s also been inked here. It’s no surprise, given how brilliant the artists are.

Max’s work is our favourite; he’s well versed in pretty much everything from delicately shaded florals to bold lettering, though his portraits are sublime.

Blank Collective

Deptford

We first came across Blank Collective at the Bristol Tattoo Convention and immediately fell head over heels with Loz’s work that combines fine lines with areas of black block work creating bold pieces that burst with texture. Check out this unbelievable semi-sleeve piece.

Blank Collective is a Southeast London studio housed in a clean location in Deptford, which Loz co-owns with Lana, a tooth gem technician. 

We also love Daisuke, who fuses his London upbringing with his Japanese heritage in some killer Shodo (Japanese brush art) tattoos with his always hand-drawn pieces of art.

Eco Tattoo

Camden

You can’t have a guide to London’s tattoo parlours and ignore the vibrant alternative scene of Camden. And Eco Tattoo is the perfect example, combining sustainability with some of the most incredible body art you’ll find in the city.

Using eco-friendly materials, inks, and waste disposal methods, Lin Feng launched Eco Tattoo and has developed her traditional Chinese art-themed pieces to include the natural world, straight lines, and, well, just about everything else!

She also specialises in covering old ink, check out this amazing Sakura Tree cover up!

Crimson Tales

Tooting

Crimson Tales specialises in creating bespoke pieces of art that clients really want, with each of this cool South London studio’s artists taking the time to consult you and create designs based on what you want, rather than simply picking designs out of a book.

Nothing is off limits at this parlour that encourages you to explore the limits of your self-expression. We are enormous fans of the powerfully evocative pieces by Saint Wandal that burst with colour, detail, and beauty. 

But our absolute fave is guest tattooist Veda Ink for her unique artwork. Combining subtle pastel colours, particularly greens, with eye-catching neon pink and purple shades, the impact of her work doesn’t just wow, it seduces the eyes.

Princelet Tattoo

Shoreditch

While Princelet Tattoo isn’t for you if you’re walking past and want to get inked on a whim, booking an appointment at this East London studio is well worthwhile.

Established in 2022, Princelet has quickly become a staple of the London tattoo scene offering customers a wide range and variety of styles to choose from. Alongside their roster of resident artists, they also regularly get top guests from across the globe to join them.

We adore the focus of proprietor Alex Roze on the detailed nuances, from his neo-traditional micro-realistic designs of his work, a quality that follows through the work of the studio’s other artists. 

Just check out the classic, subtle, and stunning linework of Fabianna for proof.

Cloak and Dagger Tattoo

Shoreditch

Just off Brick Lane, next to the railway, is Cloak and Dagger Tattoo, another awesome parlour in East London. 

This cool Shoreditch spot offers a wide range of styles, from traditional classic tattoos to script, Japanese to eye-catching neo-traditional pieces that pop with colour and catch the eye.

The classic stylings of Benny Ford definitely tickle our fancy, particularly his pin-up 20s and 30s-era portrait work. We also can’t get enough of the stunning cartoon-like, colourful artwork of Gabriele Cardosi that pops off the skin.

In addition to this awesome art, Cloak and Dagger can help you sort out any mistakes from yesteryear with cool cover-ups and even laser removal if that’s what you desire.

London Inkaholics

Shadwell

Bang next to Shadwell Station is London Inkaholics, a tattoo studio that has just celebrated its 10th anniversary of growing to become one of London’s most popular tattoo studios.

Their team of resident and guest artists focus on providing a personally tailored experience to each and every customer, whether you’re grabbing your first ink or getting the latest addition to your body art.

We’re particularly drawn to the photorealism work of Isaac Branco, which genuinely looks as though a photo has been printed onto the skin, while these pieces by occasional resident artist Josefine Brorsson almost defy description.

London Tattoo Shops: Map

The post 17 of the Best Tattoo Studios & Shops in London appeared first on London x London.