In the UK, we’re lucky to have a range of art galleries and venues that allow us to connect with magnificent artwork from different time-periods, and from all across the globe.
And whether you follow the work of specific artists or don’t have much experience with art at all, taking a trip to an art gallery can be a fun, stimulating, and thought-provoking day out.
With this in mind, here are 11 of the best art galleries to visit in the UK.
1. Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology. It’s home to world famous collections including Egyptian mummies and contemporary art – all of which tell powerful human stories from different time periods and cultures.
You might like to print off this spotlight trail guide before your visit, which will guide you through the museum – stopping off at 12 objects of particular interest. From the Knossos Octopus Pot, to Guy Fawkes’ Lantern, and a jewel made for King Alfred the Great, you’ll hit all the main sites with this highlight trail.
Alternatively, if you’re unable to visit the Ashmolean in person, you can explore the spotlight trail online, or browse over 200,000 object records on the museum’s online collection.
The museum is open everyday and admission is free.
2. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool is part of National Museums Liverpool – an extensive group of museums and galleries covering a wide range of topics and interests.
With one of the most important and renowned painting collections in the world, visitors should prepare to get lost in European Renaissance paintings, masterpieces by Rembrandt and Rubens, and Impressionist and contemporary works by Monet and Hockney.
Walker Art Galley is also known for its impressive collection of sculptures made between the 18th century and First World War – from the end of the neoclassicism period to the era of ‘New Sculpture’ in Britain.
Also featured at the gallery are various British and European decorative art works dating from 1300 to the present day, video and animation art, as well as a fashion area home to a large collection of around 10,000 Western European costume items.
There are also a variety exciting tours and exhibitions to enjoy at Walker Art Gallery – exploring everything from the life of individual artists to different historic eras through art.
Entry to the gallery is free and you can find more information about opening times, access, and facilities here.
Other members of National Museums Liverpool include the Lady Level Art Gallery, the Museum of Liverpool, and the Internation Slavery Museum. You can find more about what’s on at all of these venues and more on the National Museums Liverpool website.
3. Tate Modern, London
The idea for Tate Modern was born in December 1992 when the Tate Trustees decided to create a separate gallery for international modern and contemporary art in London.
Since it opened in May 2000, Tate Modern has had over 40 million visitors and is one of the UK’s top three tourist attractions.
Tate Modern always has a range of exciting exhibitions to immerse yourself in. From forests of sculptures, to theatrical exhibitions of famous artists like Lubaina Himid, to mirror rooms, there’s something for everyone.
Entry to Tate Modern is free, though there is a charge for some exhibitions. Advance booking is advised, particularly for exhibitions that are likely to sell out.
Other members of the Tate family include Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St. Ives. If you’re interested in visiting, you can find out what to expect on the Tate website.
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4. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Yorkshire
Situated in the beautifully landscaped 500-acre 18th-century Bretton Hall estate in West Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) is the leading international centre for modern and contemporary sculpture. For a fun day of art, it’s hard to beat the YSP.
YSP was the first sculpture park in the UK, remains the largest of its kind in Europe, and provides the only space in Europe to see Barbara Hepworth’s, The Family Man.
Alongside this is an extensive collection of sculptures, including site-specific works by David Nash, James Turrell, and Andy Goldsworthy, and bronzes by Henry Moore.
YSP also hosts year-round temporary exhibitions from world-leading artists across six indoor galleries, as well as the open air. Previous highlights have included exhibitions by Bill Viola, Tony Cragg, Fiona Banner, and Ursuala von Rydingsvard.
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5. Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
From antiquity to the present day, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is home to a world-renowned collection of over half a million works of art, masterpiece paintings, and historical artefacts.
There are a range of exhibitions and galleries to enjoy at the museum – including the Women: makers and muses exhibition which celebrates artwork of women such as Marie Louise von Motesiczky and Bridget Riley from across the globe throughout history.
Some must-see galleries include the Painting with Gold display that explores the use of gold in medieval manuscripts, and Magdalene Odundo in Cambridge – one of the great ceramic artists working today.
While entry to the museum is free, advance booking is required. You can find more about this, as well as opening times, access, and facilities on The Fitzwilliam Museum website.
6. Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich
The Sainsbury Centre in Norwich is an art gallery, museum, and cafe home to a collection of world art, including outstanding works from artists like Picasso, Degas, and Bacon.
Current exhibitions at the Sainsbury Centre include Visions of Ancient Egypt, and The Legacy of Youth, which looks at the early artistic formation of Pablo Picasso, from his teenage years to his 30s.
Other highlights include the free-entry Sculpture Park set within 350 acres of parkland, and featuring outstanding architecture, art, and natural beauty. Free guided collections tours are also available.
Alternatively, if you’re unable to visit in person, the Sainsbury Centre also has an online catalogue for you to enjoy. Here you can browse various works from the collection, with new art and objects consistently being added.
7. National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh
The National Galleries of Scotland consists of three galleries in the heart of Edinburgh. These are the Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One and Modern Two), and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Come face to face and learn more about the people who’ve shaped – and are shaping – Scotland’s past, present, and future at the National Portrait Gallery. Marvel at the outstanding collection of contemporary and modern art at the National Gallery of Modern Art, or experience one of the greatest collections of fine art in the world at the Scottish National Gallery.
To see what exhibitions are on at the National Galleries of Scotland, you can visit this page on their website. Highlights include the Impressionism & Post-Impression display at the Scottish National Gallery, the display of Abstract Art and Britain between the Wars, and the exhibition of New Arrivals at Modern One.
Admission to the galleries is free, though advanced booking is advised.
8. Turner Contemporary, Margate
Opened in 2011, Turner Contemporary in Margate, Kent is a space for contemporary arts and an important catalyst for the regeneration of Margate town.
The venue was named after noted landscaper J.M.W. Turner who went to school in Margate and visited throughout his life.
There’s a range of exhibitions to enjoy at the gallery, for example, the unique Antony Gormley: Another Time exhibition which explores the experience of being human through a series of one hundred, solid cast-iron figures.
Turner Contemporary has also launched a range of exciting resources to help people relax and refocus through creative mindfulness. This includes activities like mindful drawing, explorative doodles, drawing your breath, and learning to look mindfully at art.
Entry to Turner Contemporary is free but advanced booking is required.
9. The Bowes Museum, Durham
The Bowes Museum is home to a nationally renowned collection of art. From picture galleries, to ceramics and decorative arts, the collection at the Bowes Museum is just as magnificent as the building’s French-style architecture.
Highlights of the museum include its extensive collection of European paintings spanning the 15th to 19th centuries, and ceramics from medieval times to the 19th century, as well as the galleries dedicated to the life of John and Josephine Bowes.
The collections are displayed across three floors, and many of the galleries have been redeveloped over the last ten years to allow better access to artefacts, more contemporary label descriptions, and better lighting.
The museum’s method of costume display which allows visitors the best visual access to garments, both inside and out has made the fashion and textiles gallery highly popular. In this collection you’ll find amazing artefacts, including pieces from the wardrobe of Empress Eugenie – consort of Napoleon III from 1853-1871.
10. The Royal Academy of Arts, London
The Royal Academy of Arts (the RA), located in the heart of London in Piccadilly, is a place where art is made, displayed, and debated. Founded in 1768, The RA is unique because it’s an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects themselves.
Highlights from the RA collection include works by Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA, Thomas Banks RA, and Tracey Emin RA.
The world-class exhibition programme features explorations of famous artists like William Kentridge and of collections of art from different parts of the world. There’s also various free displays to enjoy, as well as talks and lectures – many of which are available to watch online.
Even better, if a piece of art catches your eye, the RA has high-quality prints of pieces from the collection available to buy online, framed or unframed, on a choice of papers or canvas. You can browse the RA prints available to buy here.
11. The Hepworth, Wakefield
The Hepworth is an art museum in Wakefield that is so-called after sculptor Barbara Hepworth – one of the most important artists of the 20th century – was born and educated in the city.
As suggested by the building’s modern and chic exterior, The Hepworth is home to a nationally important collection of modern British art. It features famous works by Ben Nchiolson, L.S. Lowry, Patrick Heron, and Barbara Hepworth – as well as that by significant contemporary artists such as Maggi Hambling, Anthea Hamilton, and Frank Auerbach.
There’s also a range of family workshops to get involved with and enjoy; from clay, to carving and sculpture.
You can find information about what’s on, museum opening hours and entry fees on The Hepworth Wakefield website.
During your visit, you might also like to explore The Hepworth Wakefield Garden, which opened in 2019 and is one of the UK’s largest free public gardens designed by Tom Stuart-Smith.
Final thoughts…
Art galleries can be inspiring and thought-provoking places to visit. Whether you’re looking to dive into the art of previous times, or explore the world of modern and contemporary art, there’s an art gallery for everyone to enjoy.
For more cultural pit-stop ideas, head over to the art and culture section of our website. Here you’ll find everything from museum recommendations, to stately homes to explore, and online tour ideas.
What are the best art galleries you’ve visited? Have any of the galleries above caught your eye? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.