Tate Britain and Tate National – once known collectively as the Tate Gallery – together form one of Britain’s largest art collections. Opened by sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate in 1897 as the base of a national collection of important British art, the gallery increased its purchases of modern and contemporary art, forcing them to seek more space to properly display its collections. The end result is an interesting compromise that has seen the existing classic structure Millbank on the north side of the Thames will be used to house his permanent collection of historic British paintings, while the modern art collections will be moved across the Thames to a transformed former power station.
For art lovers, it’s a double treat and a full day can be spent seeing both sites, conveniently linked by a high-speed ferry.
Read also: 17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in London
Tate Britain: The British and Turner Collections bij Millbank
The British Collection at Tate Britain includes numerous drawings and engravings by William Blake (Newton), William Dobson (Endymion Porter), portraits by Peter Lely, works by William Hogarth (O the Roast Beef of Old England / The Gate of Calais), landscapes by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Richard Wilson and George Stubbs, as well as works by Edwin Landseer and Henry Fuseli. The landscapes of John Constable (Old Chain Pier, Brighton) are famous. Works of the 19th century include John Everett Millais (Christ in His Parents’ House) and James Abbott McNeill Whistler (Nocturne in Blue and Gold: Old Battersea Bridge).
It’s impressive Turner Collection is located in the Clore Gallery, a two-storey building named after the saint of the arts Sir Charles Clore and designed by Scottish architect James Stirling. Because the gallery can only display a third of its collection at any given time, items on display are rotated regularly.
Tate Modern: The Contemporary and Modern Collections aan Bankside
The modern sculpture at Tate National includes works by Auguste Rodin, Aristide Maillol, Ivan Mestrovic, Jacob Epstein and Henry Moore. The collection of modern foreign paintings mainly includes works by the French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, including Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Henri Rousseau, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Marc Chagall. Cubists such as Georges Braque (Mandolin) and Fernand Léger are exhibited, and a later work by Pablo Picasso (Recumbent Nude with Chain).
The Dadaists and Surrealists Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst, Paul Klee, Salvador Dali and Joan Miró are represented, along with examples of expressionism, pop art, minimal art and conceptual art. Contemporary artists include Joseph Beuys, Mark Rothko (Seagram Murals), Tony Cragg (On the Savannah) and Lucian Freud (Standing by the Rags).
Touring door Londen’s Twin Tates
Tate Britain: Free 45-minute tours, which focus on different areas of the gallery, are offered daily at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Private group tours are also available, as well as private “couples” tours, complete with dining options. Also of interest are special Friday ‘Late at the Tate’ events (free) with talks, tours and films (check the gallery’s What’s On page for more information).
Tate Modern: Free 45-minute tours, which focus on different areas of the gallery, are offered daily at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Private group and “couples” tours are also available. Excellent multimedia guides are also available, including artist interviews, games and art-inspired music (family versions are available). Go to the Multimedia Desk (Level 2) to pick one up (cost, £4).
Tips and Tactics: How to make the most of your visits to Tate Britain and Tate National
The following tips and tactics will help you get the most out of your visits to Tate Britain and Tate National:
- Shopping: Each venue has on-site shopping facilities with prints, books, gifts and souvenirs related to their exhibits.
- Wardrobes: Cloakrooms are provided free of charge at both locations.
- What is on: Items on display are rotated frequently, so check the Tate group website for news and updates.
- to walk: There’s a lot of walking involved, especially if you’re planning to climb both London Tate sites in one day – if that’s the case, wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Food and drink: Both locations offer a variety of food and beverage options, as well as drinking fountains. If you prefer to do it yourself, try a Thames-side picnic.
Go to Tate Britain
- By subway (subway): The nearest Tube stations are Pimlico and Vauxhall (Victoria line), and Westminster (Jubilee, District and Circle lines).
- By train: The nearest train stations are Vauxhall and Victoria, each within walking distance of Tate Britain. (Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for more information on links to London from around the country.)
- With the bus: Routes 87 (Millbank), 88 and C10 (John Islip St) and 2, 36, 185 and 436 (Vauxhall Bridge Rd) put you within a short walk of Tate Britain.
- Per boot: The Tate Boat service runs between Tate Britain and Tate Modern every 40 minutes.
- By bike: Bike racks are located at the entrances to Tate Britain’s Atterbury St and Millbank.
- On the road: Driving in London is not recommended and is subject to congestion charges. The best option is to park at a remote train station and take the train or tube.
- parking: Limited pay and street parking is available around Tate Britain (weekends are sometimes better).
Transport to Tate National
- By subway (subway): The nearest Tube stations are Southwark (Jubilee line), Blackfriars (District and Circle lines) and St Paul’s (Central line).
- By train: The nearest train stations are Blackfriars and London Bridge, each within walking distance of Tate National. (Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for more information on links to London from around the country.)
- With the bus: Routes 45, 63 and 100 (Blackfriars Bridge Rd), Routes RV1 and 381 (Southwark St) and Route 344 (Southwark Bridge Rd) put you a short walk from Tate National.
- Per boot: The Tate Boat service runs between Tate Britain and Tate Modern every 40 minutes.
- On the road: Driving in central London is not recommended and is subject to congestion charges. The best option is to park at a remote train station and use public transport.
- parking: There is no on-site or street parking at Tate Modern.
hours
- Tate Britain – daily from 10am to 6pm
- Tate Modern – Sun-Thurs, 10am-6pm; Friday Sat, from 10am to 10pm
Admission
- Tate Modern – free
Address
- Tate Britain – Millbank, London
- Tate Modern – Bankside, London
- www.tate.org.uk
What is near London’s Two Tates?
One of the highlights of a visit to Tate Britain and Tate Modern is the excellent fast ferry service connect the two locations. It won’t take long, but it will give you an excellent idea of what to see and do when you’re done. As you zoom along the River Thames (assuming you started at Tate Britain) you’ll get great views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, as well as Westminster Abbey. Across the bank (the south bank) you will pass close to the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel with great views of the city, as well as family tourist attractions such as the dungeon of London and the London Aquarium.
When you arrive at Tate Modern, you’ll get a close-up look at the iconic Globe Theatrean authentic reproduction of Shakespeare’s London Theatre, and the impressive Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that takes you across the Thames to the beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral.
