Must-Visit Galleries in London that You Maybe Haven’t Heard Of
Photos from Unsplash except where credited. Main photo by Epha3 Lab, used under Creative Commons license.
London is a rich and bustling cultural hub. For tourists, it’s a playground with more to see and do than could ever be seen and done in one lifetime.Trust me, after eight years as a local Londoner, I still sometimes feel as if I’ve barely even scratched the surface, and I’m always discovering some new and quirky hidden gem. If you’re into art, music, film, photography, or whatever else you might enjoy, London has buckets of it, just waiting to be explored. For me, I love art and history, so galleries and museums are my first port of call in any city. Of course, London has plenty of them, like The National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain or the Victoria and Albert Museum, and they’re all spectacular, world class spots which you absolutely shouldn’t miss. But, if you’re visiting London, or you’re a local looking for something to do this weekend, here are my recommendations for a few of my favorite places that can be found a little further off the beaten track.
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is world-famous, obviously, but isn’t as popular with tourists as it should be. It’s one of my favorite places in London, and something everybody should visit at some point. I can’t think of any other place like it. Basically, the Barbican is a large housing estate complex, built in the aftermath of World War II. It’s one of the UK’s architectural treasures and a stunning example of brutalist design. While it’s worth it to visit just for the architecture alone, the estate is now home to the Barbican Centre, a cultural space with a cinema, gallery, library, several restaurants and bars, an excellent design-focused gift shop and London’s second biggest conservatory. It’s also a performing arts venue with a resident orchestra and regular theater, dance, contemporary and classical music performances. It’s the perfect venue to spend a culture-filled day and there are plenty of places to sit and read, sketch or relax, if you’re just looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. The Barbican Centre is proof that brutalist architecture can be oddly calming. After some time spent here, I know you’ll be looking to visit again. The conservatory is well worth a visit, but make sure to check online first, because it’s only open on selected days and you currently have to book in advance.
The Wallace Collection
Photo by Anthony O’Neil, used under geograph.org.uk_1600012.jpg”>Creative Commons license
The Wallace Collection is a free museum quietly tucked away a few streets behind London’s busy Oxford Street. It’s home to the private collection of Sir Richard Wallace, a wealthy art collector, who built the collection along with the Marquesses of Hertford during the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum now occupies what was once their London townhouse and it is as every bit as grandiose as it sounds. If you appreciate the finer things in life, I definitely suggest you don’t skip this one. The collection is extensive and highlights include paintings by Rembrandt, Boucher, Rubens and Van Dyck, exquisite pieces of 18th century French furniture, and an impressive assortment of arms and armor that will definitely keep the Dads happy. If you have a little extra cash to splash, enjoy a meal afterwards at the stunning French brasserie courtyard restaurant. It’s the perfect place for an Instagram picture too!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}