Tate Britain London: Gallery exhibitions, opening hours, how to get there and 2019 highlights
Why visit Tate Britain?
The clue is in the name: Tate Britain is the place to go if you want to feast your eyes on hundreds of years of British art, from the 1500s to the present day. Wander up the front steps of the gallery’s grand but not-too-imposing facade and you’ll find a swirling spiral staircase, a serene starting point for an amble through British art (and now an Insta-sensation in its own right).
The gallery’s temporary exhibitions are always major talking points, from the mega-popular 2017 David Hockney retrospective to a major study of queer artists since the 19th century. But it’s the permanent collection that makes this gallery one of London’s finest: it manages to capture the evolution of ideas and emotions in Britain over the course of hundreds of years, as shown by artists.
Founded in 1897 as the National Gallery of British Art, it became the Tate Gallery in 1932 when it was renamed after founder Sir Henry Tate. In 2000 its sister site Tate Modern opened across the river, and it was renamed Tate Britain, refining its purpose as the capital’s go-to gallery for historical and contemporary British art. The gallery's current director is Alex Farquharson.
If you have one hour…
If you’re popping in on a lunch break or just looking for a quick revitalising trip, start with the free Art Now exhibition near the entrance. Since the 1990s it has offered emerging artists the chance to showcase their work, with Rachel Maclean, Roger Hiorns, Hurvin Anderson and Tacita Dean among those who have shown work there.
Next up, a wander through the Walk Through British Art permanent display gives you a chance to see work all the way back to the 1500s. You won’t have time to take in everything in this comprehensive collection, but it will give you a taste - and you’re bound to be more drawn to some rooms than others.
If you have three hours…
Take your time looking at the Walk Through British Art display, before checking out one of the gallery’s temporary exhibitions. Past shows have ranged from retrospectives of British art stars to thematic group shows and spotlights on art that encapsulates important periods of British history .
If you want to make a day of it…
Take a leisurely stroll through the Walk Through British Art display - if you time it right, you can also tag on to a free talk - and pay a visit to the temporary exhibitions. For lunch there’s the Djanogly Cafe or, if you’re feeling fancy, the Rex Whistler Restaurant (named after the artist, who created a mural especially for the room).
In the afternoon, retrace your steps to find two rooms of work by sculptor Henry Moore, featuring over 30 works by the pioneering sculptor. Round things off by heading to the Clore Gallery to see the world’s largest collection of works by JMW Turner, one of the most celebrated British artists in history, whose paintbrush captured the majesty and drama of English landscapes and the sea.
London's best art galleries - In pictures
What are the highlights of Tate Britain's collection?
Read More
Tate Britain is home to the slightly creepy but artistically significant Cholmondeley Ladies painting, by an unknown 17th century artist. At first glance they - and their swaddled babies - appear to be identical; closer inspection reveals subtle differences in appearance and expression.
There’s an entire gallery dedicated to the breathtaking works of JMW Turner - don’t ask us to pick just one - and a room full of watercolours by William Blake just round the corner.
John Singer Sargent’s Lily Lily Carnation Rose is a popular favourite, showing two young girls transfixed by Chinese lanterns; the orange glow hums from the canvas, evoking the exact atmosphere of a late English summer evening.
Sir John Everett Millais managed the very rare feat of creating the definitive painting of a scene from Shakespeare’s work: the death of Ophelia in Hamlet.
As you’d expect, the collection is skewed towards male artists, given that’s been the way of the art world for centuries. Henry Moore gets a whole room to himself, but it’s the tranquil sculptures of Barbara Hepworth that really shine in Tate Britain.
Elsewhere, Winifred Knights ’ The Deluge is an epic painting of a biblical scene transferred to a bucolic village, and Lubaina Himid preserves her identity as a black female artist, repeatedly patronised by white institutions, in The Carrot Piece.
What’s new in 2019 for the gallery?
The 2019 exhibition programme kicks off with a retrospective of work by British photojournalist Don McCullin in February. A major exhibition about Van Gogh will open in March, and looks set to be one of the most popular shows of the year. In May the gallery will have the first solo exhibition of abstract artist Frank Bowling, whilst in September there will be major shows of work by William Blake and Turner Prize winner Mark Leckey.
Dates for your diary
The Turner Prize takes place at Tate Britain every other year, with an exhibition of the shortlisted artists opening in September and the winner announced in December. (It is held at the incumbent city of culture on the other years.)
Are there guided tours at Tate Britain?
Free 45-minute guided tours take place every day, beginning at 11am. They cover aspects of the permanent collection as well as the JMW Turner collection. There are also special tours throughout the week that focus on specific artworks, the archives and how social class is represented in the collection.
Where is Tate Britain in London?
Tate Britain is on Millbank, in Westminster.
How to get to Tate Britain
The nearest tube station is Pimlico or Vauxhall (both Victoria line), or Westminster (Jubilee, District and Circle lines) if you don’t mind a bit of a stroll. Victoria station is about a 20 minute walk for anyone journey in from outside of London, or get the 87 bus which stops at Millbank. It doesn’t have a car park, but early birds will be able to nab pay and display parking on nearby streets (free at weekends and after 18.30 on weekdays).
If you fancy really travelling in style, there’s the Tate Boat - it runs every forty minutes along the Thames, taking visitors between Tate Britain and Tate Modern.
Exhibitions to look forward to in 2019
When are Tate Britain's opening hours?
Tate Britain is open from Monday to Sunday, 10am until 6pm. It stays open on bank holidays, but is closed 24-26 December. On selected Fridays, the gallery stays open for Tate Lates.
Is Tate Britain free?
Yes! There is an admission charge for the gallery’s temporary exhibitions, but it’s totally free to look at the permanent collection which amounts to hundreds of artworks.
In a nutshell...
A treasure chest for anyone interested in how centuries of British artists captured the spirit of their times.