Arts and Culture | London City Guide

You’re sophisticated right? Into modern dance? If so, this is the home of contemporary dance in the UK. Well worth checking out what’s on the schedule next time you’re over. 

While I find the permanent collections at the V&A a bit of a grab bag of stuff, their temporary exhibitions are amazing. David Bowie, Alexander McQueen, and Thomas Heatherwick are just a few of the recent people to get the retrospective treatment. 

What can I say about the Tate Modern? I’ve been to a lot of modern and contemporary art galleries around the world, and this is still my favorite. They have a really strong permanent collection, but the real reasons to go are the big temporary exhibitions. Oh, and the shop is pretty cool too.

This gallery is a great place to see modern contemporary British artists. Just check before you go as they’re often closed.

Another great museum where the temporary exhibitions outgun the permanent collection. The recent California exhibition looking into the cultural impact of the state on the design and tech industry was wonderful. 

I’ve not been to the Serpentine for a while, which makes me sad. This lovely little gallery in the middle of one of London's great parks, is known for having some excellent exhibitions. If you’re passing by, you should definitely poke your head in. Oh, and they have one of the best art bookshops I’ve seen.

You’ll whizz round this quirky museum in Notting Hill in under an hour. If you grew up in the UK. are interested in graphic design, or simply have a soul, it’s a lovely place to spend some time. 

This is Damien Hirst personal gallery. He fills it with touring shows by all his art chums. This may tell you everything you need to know about the place. I personally love it. The restaurant is pretty decent too. 

While this gallery has all the charm of an NCP car park, they put on some bloody brilliant exhibitions. Well worth checking out what’s on and  using it as an excuse to visit the wonderful South Bank.

This is a curious little wunderkammer, full of stuffed animals,  medical equipment, and jars of famous poo. Yes, you did read that right. If you’re looking for something quirky to do in London, this is about as quirky as it gets.

A huge modern art gallery from the advertising mogul who bought us 11 years of Margaret Thatcher. Dodgy politics aside, It’s a great gallery if you like pickled sharks, piles of bricks, and all white paintings, which I do. It’s in the upmarket area of Kings Road, which is worth a wander. 

A great private gallery with outposts in Mayfair and Westbourne Grove. Fancy picking up a Banksy or a Damien Hirst on your trip? Then this is the place to do it. Or you could just pop in and enjoy the artwork for free. 

If you’re into brutalist architecture, then get ready to be brutalized. Like Marmite, Lost, or Kanye West, people either love or hate the Barbican. This iconic London arts venue shows movies, concerts, theatre productions, and some of the best exhibitions in town. It’s also where we host the wonderful Leading Design conference. 

I really like this hard working artistic duo, who broke onto the UK art scene back in the 60s and have been ruffling feathers ever since. They specialise in big, bold and colorful graphic prints, which almost have the vibe of stained glass windows. However you definitely wouldn’t expect to see their subject matter in your local village church. They recently opened this lovely gallery to display their extensive collection just off Brick Lane. So well worth popping in, if you’re in the area.