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Visiting Tate Modern

London's modern art destination

As the primary hub for international modern and contemporary art in the British capital, Tate Modern traces its origins to the private collection of Sir Henry Tate. He was a dedicated patron of 19th-century British painters who were often overlooked by the National Gallery.

Opened in 2000 on the south bank of the Thames within a converted power station, the museum now houses over 78,000 works by nearly 4,000 artists. The original building, known as the boiler house, was joined in 2016 by an extension called the New Tate Modern, commonly referred to as the switch house. Both structures were designed by the firm Herzog & de Meuron, which specializes in experimental architectural reuse.

The museum draws significant crowds, often exceeding the annual visitor numbers of its American and Spanish counterparts, namely the MoMA in New York and the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid.

Highlights to see

Start by walking through the Turbine Hall. With its rotating, site-specific installations, this space perfectly captures the blend of industrial scale and contemporary art. The museum also features the tanks, underground circular spaces with minimalist aesthetics that host live performances, experimental theater, and film screenings.

Spanning seven levels, the museum is vast. Grab a map and head to the Natalie Bell Building on level 2 to see the most celebrated works, including pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp, and Braque. The museum website offers curated thematic routes and details on current temporary exhibitions, which frequently include major retrospectives like those for Andy Warhol.

If you have time, head to the viewing level for a panoramic look at the Bankside neighborhood, the Thames, and St. Paul's Cathedral. The on-site restaurant serves European-style dishes and curated snacks. They also offer a kids' menu option when purchasing an adult entree.