London is rightly famed for its cultural qualities and when you wander around some of the diverse galleries on offer you'll see why. From the mainstream to the underground, the diversity of shows on offer never fails to impress.
Beneath we've listed some of galleries where you guaranteed a good show, but the answer probably lies in purchasing a copy of Time Out from a newsagent in the week you intend to go.
What's hot? Watch out for the new multimedia shows down at the ICA. The fusion of the art, Internet, sounds and light are evident here, and they often take it one stage further with a Friday dance night featuring all of the above and then some. Check with the venue for details of the next bash.
Otherwise look out for galleries opening in the most unlikeliest of venues - front rooms, garages, dilapidated spaces, for this is where modern art is truly exploding. It may not be for everyone - but is controversial and imaginative and sure to cause heated debate.
Situated within the impressive Barbican Centre, the Barbican Art Gallery presents a mix of photography, fine art, design and architecture from leading designers and artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.... more »
Head to the South Bank for one of London's most interesting galleries.... more »
An important gallery, the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) is renowned for the quality of the works displayed there.... more »
Situated on the north side of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery has been the home for the National Collection of Art from the thirteenth to the twentieth century.... more »
From medieval to present time, the National Portrait Gallery houses over 10,000 portraits of famous men and women throughout British history from as early as Henry VII to the present Queen.... more »
The Saatchi Gallery houses one of the most influential collections of contemporary art in London.... more »
Opened in 1768, the Royal Academy of Arts was Britain's first art school and today features regular displays of works by artists as revered as Rembrandt, Rubens and Monet as well as paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, plaster casts and architecture from living artists.... more »
The Royal Albert Hall, which opened in 1871 as part of a national memorial to Prince Albert, is now one of the most famous performing arts venues in the world.... more »
Situated in the beautiful surroundings of Kensington Gardens, overlooking Hyde Park, The Serpentine Gallery is home to some of the most stimulating and attractive examples of modern and contemporary art and architecture in London.... more »
The newly refurbished Tate Britain is the original of four Tate galleries around the country, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St.... more »
Situated adjacent to the new Globe Theatre on the South Bank, Tate Modern is the national repository for international modern art in the capital.... more »
The Victoria and Albert Museum was established after the successful Great Exhibition of 1851, although it was not named as such until 1899.... more »