The National Gallery

Historic collection of Western art

Kamira / Alamy Stock Photo

Said to be one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, and who are we to argue? With over 2,300 artworks on show, stretching out over eight hundred years, there’s no chance that you’ll ever feel like you’ve ‘done’ this goliath of great art. Choose from one of the mapped art routes to see a selection of key paintings (Stubb’s surprisingly contemporary- feeling painting of a horse, Whistlejacket, is a must) or join a free tour of the collection highlights. Don’t miss the recently acquired self-portrait by Renaissance trailblazer Artemisia Gentileschi – a true masterpiece and one of only about 20 works by female artists in the collection. Their big-ticket exhibitions are always among the best of the year, so don’t miss out.

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN
Charing Cross
nationalgallery.org.uk

Autograph

Photography centre championing diversity

Arcaid Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Autograph is a gallery with a mission. Founded in the 1980s, it was the first space in the UK dedicated to showcasing diversity in the arts. Like a true superhero, it’s still fighting for inclusion and social justice in the art world. Their programme amplifies marginalised voices and has included arresting works by Sunil Gupta as well as striking portraits by artist and activist Ingrid Pollard. They host monthly workshops for children with special educational needs and the building (designed by superstar architect Sir David Adjaye) is wheelchair accessible. They even use 100 percent green energy. Now that’s a radically inclusive art gallery.

Rivington Place, EC2A 3BA
Shoreditch High Street
autograph.org.uk

Sessions Arts Club

Heady clash of art and food

Louise Long

Exquisite dining meets fine art in this creative and culinary collaboration between painter-cumentrepreneur Jonny Gent and celebrated chef Florence Knight. Enjoy seasonal small plates and signature cocktails in an old Regency courthouse, surrounded by a rotating collection of bold contemporary paintings and glamorously fading plaster walls. Although not technically a members’ club, it is popular among the gallery glitterati and hard to get a table so make sure to reserve in advance. Then order a fresh raspberry bellini and the panisse (chickpea churros dipped in salt) and eavesdrop on the latest art-world gossip.

24 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0NA
Farringdon
sessionsartsclub.com

The Approach

Contemporary art above a pub

FXP PHOTOGRAPHY. Courtesy of The Approach

Come for the eye-opening contemporary art, then stay for a pint and some triple-cooked chips. While some boozers have a function room upstairs, The Approach Tavern has a world-class gallery. The mission of the gallery is to showcase work by London-based artists at the beginning of their careers and many of their original roster have already gone on to international success. Just off Victoria Park, the surrounding area is full of galleries (Auto-Italia, Cell Project Space and Maureen Paley) all within walking distance, so use the pub as a base for a gallery crawl.

47 Approach Road, E2 9LY
Bethnal Green
theapproach.co.uk

Tate Modern

Temple to modern art

Edmund Sumner-View / Alamy Stock Photo

If art was a religion then, without doubt, Tate Modern would be the cathedral. It’s a true behemoth of a museum with a collection that spans all that is great and good from 20th- and 21st-century art. The main gallery is free to visit and arranged thematically. It’s already more than you’d be able to see in one trip, and regular (paid) exhibitions and special events mean that there is always something new to discover. Given that it regularly tops the list of most visited UK attractions, we’re probably already preaching to the converted.

Bankside, SE1 9TG
Blackfriars, Southwark
tate.org.uk