National Gallery 

Right next door to the National Portrait Gallery and overlooking Trafalgar Square, this great gallery houses the national collection of western European painting with over 2,300 pictures dating 1250-1900. The collection includes masterpieces by Titian, Turner, Monet and Van Gogh. The museum now offers free talks, workshops, and drawing events for families and young people, providing a fun interpretation of the collection and special exhibitions. Journeys through time as you explore the many rooms and masterpeices. Child audio tours and paper trails available.

Open: Thur-Tue 10am-6pm, Wed 10am-9pm
Admission: free
Tube: Leicester Square, Charing Cross (zone 1)
Address: Trafalgar Sq, London, WC2N 5DN
Tel: (020) 7747 2885 (General Enquiries)
Website: www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Facilities: A, C, WC, BCF, S
Quietest times to visit the National Gallery are early week-day mornings and 6pm-9pm Wednesday. There also guided tours designed for families, call for information. 

Tate Modern

A former power station with loads of space now houses some of the most famous pieces of modern art. Good for families with daily family trails, audio tours (£2) and a selection of free activity sheets that encourages children to look, sketch and more! See the information desk. It is definitely worth a visit and great cafes (especially the top one with fabulous views).

Open: Sun-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm
Admission: free, but donations are welcome
Tube: St Pauls, Blackfriars, London Bridge, Mansion House (all zone 1)
Address: Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
Tel: (020) 7887 8888 (Swithcboard, Mon-Fri 9-5.50pm)
www.tate.org.uk/modern
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Facilities: A, C, WC, BCF, S
Nearby attractions: next door to Tate there are the Globe theatre, the Millenium Bridge and St Pauls Cathedral

Tate Britain

The Tate has one of the most envied art collections in the world, displaying British art from 1500 to today and is home to the Turner prize. Kids audio tour (free, ages 8-12) available daily. Ask the information desk for these and other activities.

Open: Daily 10am-5.50pm, 1st Fri each month 10pm
Admission: free, but donations are welcome 
Tube: Pimlico; BR: Vauxhall (zone 1)
Address: Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
Tel: (020) 7887 8888 (Switchboard Mon-Fri 9-5.50pm)
Website: www.tate.org.uk/britain
Email:  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Facilities: BA, C, DAR, WCD, WC, L, BCF, R, S
Boat services run between the two Tate's (Modern & Britain)

London International Gallery of Children's Art

Founded in 1993, it hosts exhibitions of children’s art from all over the world. Out of school hours the museum offers an exciting range of art work shops and courses. Call for exact times, charges and more details about activities.
Open: Tue-Thur 2pm-6pm; Fri-Sun 12pm-6pm
Admission: free, but donations welcome
Tube: Finchley Rd (zone 2)
Address: 02 Centre, 255 Finchley Rd, London, NW3 6LU
Tel: (020) 7 435 0903
Website: www.ligca.org
Facilities: A, WC, BCF

Whitechapel 

Whitechapel acts as one of the finest arenas for contemporary art anywhere in London. There is a lot going on for both schools and families. See the Whitechapel website for a full listing.
Admission:  Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 6pm, Thursday 11am - 9p, Closed Mondays
Address:  Whitechapel, 80 - 82 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7QX
Tel:  +44 (0)20 7522 7888
Website: www.whitechapel.org
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Somerset House 

This great 18th century building houses the Gilbert Collection, Hermitage rooms and the Courtauld gallery. Magnificent European silver, spectacular gold snuff-boxes and remarkable Italian mosaics are in here. The Hermitage Rooms recreate the imperial splendour of the Winter Palace and its various wings which now make up The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. The Courtauld Gallery has one of the most important art collections in Britain, including world-famous Old Master and Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, together with sculpture and applied arts, and a world-class print and drawings collection which includes works by Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Cézanne and Turner.  Great for families outside; big square fountain with water jets in formation every hour and a fab ice rink in the winter (see sports section) .

Open: Daily 10am-6pm (last entry 5.15pm)
Admission: free to the house but std admission apply to each of the collections of £5 for adult, under 18s free. Special tickets available
Tube: Holborn, Temple, Covent Garden, Charing Cross (zone 1)
Address: Strand, London,  WC2R 1LA
Tel: (020) 7845 4600
Website: www.somerset-house.org.uk 
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Facilities: A, C, BCF, S

Dulwich Picture Gallery 

The Serpentine Gallery

Originally a 1934 tea pavilion, the Gallery has established a reputation for presenting pioneering exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, previous exhibitions ranged from Mann Ray to Damian Hurst. Families can be enticed by specially designed exhibitions trails and artist-led workshops. Check with gallery for latest events
Open: Daily 7am-6pm
Admission: free
Tube: Knightsbridge, Lancaster Gate, South Kensington; Bus: 9,10,12,52 (zone 1)
Address: Kensington Gardens, London, W2 3XA
Tel: (020) 7402 6075 Tel: (020) 7298 1515 (recorded information)
Website: www.serpentinegallery.org/
Facilities: A, WC, BCF, S

National Portrait Gallery 

The gallery contains fantastic paintings of well-known British people from past and present, the rich, famous and powerful, as well as many sporting legends. It also houses the BP portrait awards, which is one of our favorite annual exhibitions! Free family activity rucksack (ages 4-12) on a 1st come 1st served basis, family trails and child friendly exhibitions make this gallery great for families.

Open: Daily 10-6pm, Thur-Fri late closing 9pm
Admission: free
Tube: Charing Cross, Leicester Square (zone 1)
Address: St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE
Tel: (020) 7312 2463(recorded information)
Website: www.npg.org.uk
Facilities: A, C, WC, S