Tate Modern

Overview

The Tate Modern is a world-renowned art gallery in central London. Visiting is completely free and you can view a collection of some of the world’s finest modern and contemporary art pieces here.

The gallery is home to a range of different media, including paintings, sculptures, and large-scale installations. There are works here from some of the most famous artists of all time, including Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

A visit to the Tate Modern is a fantastic way to spend a few hours in London, and is suitable for the whole family. Adults will love discovering the various artworks and finding their own interpretations of them, while children can enjoy seeing their drawings come to life on digital sketchpads.

Is the Tate Modern free entry?

Entry to the gallery at Tate Modern is free to all. There is a charge for some of the exhibitions, and you may need to book in advance for these. Tate Modern members get free entry to exhibitions and don’t need to book.

Why is Tate Modern so famous?

The Tate Modern is probably the most famous art gallery in the UK. It is home to the UK’s collection of modern art from 1900 to the present. It is also one of the world’s top ten most-visited museums and galleries, attracting around 5.7 million visitors annually.

What is the most famous piece in the Tate Modern?

There are some very famous pieces of art in the Tate Modern, including Fountain by Marcel Duchamp, Ophelia by John Everett Millais, and The Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso.

What is the most expensive painting in the Tate Modern?

The most expensive painting ever sold at auction is Nude, Green Leaves and Bust by Pablo Picasso, which is on long-term loan to the Tate Modern and is on public display.

Is there a Rothko at the Tate Modern?

Yes, there are several paintings by Mark Rothko at the Tate Modern. These include the Seagram Murals, a series of nine maroon, dark red, and black canvases which were originally intended as a commission for a restaurant in New York’s Seagram Building.

What is the best day to go to the Tate Modern?

Weekends at the Tate Modern tend to be busier than weekdays. Monday to Wednesday are the quietest days to visit.

Why is it called Tate Modern?

The Tate Modern is named after Henry Tate, a 19th-century sugar merchant and wealthy businessman who first introduced sugar cubes to the UK. He donated his collection of contemporary art and £80,000 to the nation.

Can I get something to eat at the Tate Modern?

Yes, you can get something to eat at the Tate Modern Restaurant & Bar. The restaurant serves modern British cuisine, while the bar has a menu of small plates and nibbles. Dine while you enjoy some fabulous views over London.

Corner is a late-night bar serving woodfired pizzas, snacks, and small plates, as well as a selection of cocktails, craft beers, wine, and soft drinks. They host regular live music events here.

Tate Modern opening hours

Sunday to Thursday 10am – 6pm
Friday and Saturday 10am – 9pm

Tate Modern Lates

As well as opening later on Friday and Saturday nights, the Tate Modern also hosts Lates. These special events, held at the end of each month, feature talks by artists, creative workshops, film screenings, live music, and DJ sets.

What’s on at the Tate Modern?

There are so many impressive artworks in the Tate Modern that we couldn’t possibly name them all! Here are just a few that shouldn’t be missed:

Yellow Islands by Jason Pollock
Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol
A Bigger Splash by David Hockney
Norham Castle, Sunrise by JMW Turner
Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion by Francis Bacon

Turbine Hall

The Turbine Hall is an iconic industrial space which has hosted to some of the most memorable works of contemporary art by artists including Louise Bourgeois,

Anish Kapoor and Ai Wei Wei. It has a display space for large-scale sculptures and installation art.

Tate Modern shop

The Tate Modern features a souvenir shop, called the Terrace Shop, which offers a wide range of gifts, prints, books, and jewellery to suit all pockets.

How to get to the Tate Modern from YHA London St Paul’s

The Tate Modern is less than a mile away from YHA London St Paul’s.

On foot: The walk from the Youth Hostel to the art gallery takes less than 15 minutes. It’s a pleasant walk over the Millennium Bridge where you can enjoy incredible views of some of London’s best landmarks.

Public transport: You can catch a bus from Fleet Street, alighting at Blackfriars Station. The journey should take about 14 minutes. If you’re travelling from elsewhere in London, the nearest tube station to the Tate Modern is Southwark on the Jubilee line.

By car: There are no parking facilities at the Tate Modern, or in the surrounding area so the best way to get there is by walking, cycling, public transport, or using a rideshare app like Uber.