The Guildhall Art Gallery is an art gallery in the City of London which is free to visit. The gallery contains an extensive collection of world-famous masterpieces and artworks by some of the most acclaimed artists.
The Guildhall Art Gallery is also home to London’s Roman Amphitheatre. You can explore the well-preserved ruins while learning more about the Roman history of the city.
Adults will enjoy discovering and interpreting the fascinating works of art, while children will love feeling history come alive in the Roman Amphitheatre.
Visiting the Guildhall Art Gallery is free, including entrance to the Roman Amphitheatre. It’s recommended that you book tickets in advance to save time, but walk-in entry is also available.
The Guildhall Art Gallery boasts a collection of approximately 4,500 artworks, including more than 1,300 oil paintings.
The collection has paintings from all periods, dating back to 1670. Among the works, highlights include:
There is an extensive collection of London paintings that detail the city’s history from the 17th century. They depict well-known events, including the Great Fire of London as well as London’s most famous landmarks, like the river Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral.
As well as its permanent collection, Guildhall Art Gallery often hosts temporary exhibitions featuring various artists or themes. Exhibitions have included works by specialist woodworker Anne Desmet RA and Victorian painter William Powell Frith RA.
Not all of the paintings in the gallery’s collection are on display. If there is a specific painting you want to see, it’s recommended that you contact the art gallery in advance to avoid disappointment.
The Guildhall Art Gallery is well worth a visit. It’s a great way to spend a few hours in London and, as it’s inside, a good way to spend a rainy day. It is smaller than other museums and art galleries, like the Tate Modern, which can mean that it’s quieter.
Step into ancient Rome in the heart of the City of London. London’s Roman Amphitheatre was rediscovered by archaeologists who were working on the site of the new Guildhall Art Gallery building in 1988.
The ruins are well preserved, and you can walk where crowds would have once watched gladiator battles and animal fights. This is the only Roman amphitheatre in London, and remains include some of the stone entrance tunnel, the east gate, and the arena walls.
Entrance to London’s Roman Amphitheatre is included with entrance to the Guildhall Art Gallery, so you can tick off two sights at the same time.
The Guildhall Art Gallery is a great place to visit with children of all ages. Interactive exhibits help engage younger visitors and spark interest in the art and history on display.
It is less than a mile from YHA London St Paul’s to the Guildhall Art Gallery. The easiest ways to get there are by walking or cycling.
On foot: It takes about 13 minutes to walk from the Youth Hostel to the art gallery.
Cycling: Cycling between YHA London St Paul’s and the Guildhall Art Gallery should take approximately four minutes.
By public transport: From YHA London St Paul’s, walk for around seven minutes to catch the bus from the St Paul’s stop. Alight at Bank Station before walking four minutes to the Guildhall Art Gallery. The whole journey should take about 13 minutes. If you’re travelling from elsewhere in London, the nearest tube stations to the Guildhall Art Gallery are Bank, Mansion House, and St Paul’s.
By car: Driving from the hostel to the Guildhall Art Gallery takes about ten minutes. There are designated disabled parking spaces in Aldermanbury, Basinghall, Gresham, and Coleman Streets. You can find public car parks at Barbican, London Wall, and Aldersgate.
WiFi
Near underground
24-hour reception
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