Are you planning a stay in London? So don't miss visiting the Tate Modern, one of the most beautiful museums in the English capital!
London, the cosmopolitan, eclectic and fascinating capital of England. The city’s activity panel is simply huge, and you’re not going to be bored. And that is not to say... London now has more than 240 museums, most of which are free.
Among them is a small, modern and contemporary art complex: the Tate Modern. This former power plant, located on the banks of the Thames, is now one of the most famous museums in the city. You will discover the greatest works of the twentieth and twenty-first century, classified in a thematic way, on seven levels. Salvador Dali, Chris Marker, Picasso, Matisse... All the most prestigious artists of our time are represented there.
Are you interested in a ticket to the Tate Modern in London? Tips, rates, schedules... You will find in this article all the necessary information to organize your visit. Follow us!
Also: The 14 things to do in London
History of Tate Modern in London
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Everything begins with the creation of the Tate Gallery, located in Millbank. At the time, Henry Tale, a modern art collector, decided to open a museum to expose contemporary works that the National Gallery did not accept.
Over the years, the Tate Gallery has grown, and exhibits both ancient and contemporary works, but the place begins to be missed. Finally, it is decided to separate the Tate Gallery, and that the modern collection be transferred to a new place: the Tate Modern. The Tate Gallery is renamed Tate Britain, and is devoted entirely to the art of the United Kingdom.
The Tate Modern is then installed in an old power station that is disused in central London in Bankside. In 2000, two Swiss architects, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron , rehabilitate this place that will become the national museum of modern art and contemporary art of the city. The former engine room, converted into a huge hall, today hosts many exceptional exhibitions.
In 2016, the Tate Modern was born an extension: the Switch House or the "Turkey House". It is actually a ten-storey tower, in the absolutely futuristic form.
Our tips to visit the Tate Modern
Time is precious, and the capital is full of activities! To help you organize your visit as best as possible and to optimize your time once you have your ticket for the Tate Modern, here are some small tips.
The best time to visit the Tate Modern
Like most museums or cultural activities in general, the ideal to avoid the world is to visit Weekly . In the morning it is also necessary to focus on the afternoon, especially if you visit a weekend. Similarly, to access the panoramic floor, it is likely that there is a tail during the hours of great tributaries. Take this moment at the beginning of the visit, Morning , to avoid it.
The duration of a visit
The Tate Modern is huge, there are many things to see. If you want to fully enjoy it, and take the necessary time for reflection for certain works, we advise you to plan a day . If you have little time in front of you, go to the museum site, upstream, to select in advance the pieces you are interested in seeing as a priority.
Visit the Tate Modern with children
A program for families was developed especially at Tate Modern. The goal? Make the visit pleasant and playful for children. It is even possible to prepare this visit in advance on the museum site, thanks to a dedicated space .
Some practical information
- The Tate Modern is accessible to persons with reduced mobility and visually impaired persons. Parking spaces, lifts, plans and wolves: find all the necessary information on the museum site.
- One. Free is available at level 0 of the Natalie Bell building.
What to do during your visit to the Tate Modern in London?
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Visiting the Tate Modern, it is going through 7 floors where all kinds of contemporary creations of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries are arranged. You will find all modern artistic movements such as fauvism, Pop Art, as well as minimalist art and conceptual art. But also, all forms: paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, films, and even shows. Your ticket to the Tate Modern in your pocket, the adventure can start!
The Permanent Collection Know that the collections are classified by theme, unlike most museums that classify their collections chronologically.
- 2nd floor Poetry and dream
- 3rd floor : Transformed visions
- 4th floor : Energy and process
- 4th floor : Structure and reality
The Tanks From the time the museum was an electric power plant, this area was used to store oil. Today, it is a unique space of 30 meters wide and 7 meters high, entirely dedicated to creativity, the performing arts and film art.
The Turbine Hall This is the space dedicated to sculptures. The structure of the room and the way space is used is also a work in its own right.
The panoramic floor Located on the top floor of the Switch House, this panoramic open terrace offers a 360° view of London. A bar is at your disposal, the opportunity to take a break, to enjoy a warm drink, while taking full view!
L’Artists Rooms
A symbolic and unavoidable part of the museum, the Artist Rooms brings together a collection of more than 1,600 works, of 40 artists from all over the world. Turning to a rather young audience, this place aims to involve them in this particular creative field.
How much does a ticket cost to the Tate Modern in London?
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Like most museums in London, the entrance to the Tate Modern is free.
Only certain special exhibitions and events are paid, and their prices vary according to each event. The easiest thing is to go to the Tate Modern website to know the price of the exhibition that interests you.
How to book an online ticket for the Tate Modern?
The entrance to the permanent collections is free of charge, but you can easily book your ticket for the exhibition that interests you on the official website of the museum.
Are there guided tours of the Tate Modern in London?
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The museum does not offer a guided tour. However, if you want a detailed visit, we recommend you take an audioguide in French, available at level 1 (£11).
For those who wish to go further in the discovery of the Tate, know that there are guided tours (private or semi-private): accompanied by a historian guide, you will discover the history of artists and their aspirations. In particular, you will be invited to discuss the masterpieces and discuss a movement. A ticket to the Tate that immerses you in the backstage of the galleries and those that inspired it.
Are there visits combined with other monuments in London?
The ticket for the Tate Modern is free, so there are no tickets combined with other monuments. However, if you are in possession of London Pass , you can enjoy the free audio guide.
Opening hours of the Tate Modern in London
You can visit the Tate Modern at the following days and times:
- From Sunday to Thursday : from 10am to 6pm
- Friday and Saturday : from 10am to 10pm.
Note : the last admission is one hour before the closing of the gallery. The museum is also closed from 24 to 26 December.
How to access the Tate Modern?
To reach the Tate Modern, head to the following address: Bankside London SE1 9TG. The museum is easily accessible by foot or by public transport.
- By metro The Southwark stop (Jubilee line) is the closest and is about 600m away. You also have Blackfriars ( District and Circle lines) at 800m and St Paul’s (Central Line) at 1,100m.
- By bus : many bus lines stop near the museum, like the 45, 63 and 100 that pass through Blackfriars Bridge Road. RV1 and 381 lines pass through Southwark Street and Line 344 by Southwark Bridge Road.
- By boat : an original way to go to the museum is to borrow the Tate Boat, which runs every 40 minutes along the Thames between Tate Britain and Tate Modern.
Where to park near the Tate Modern?
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We strongly advise you to try to drive to the Tate Modern. Indeed, there is no (or very little, and very expensive) parking near the museum. However, for persons with reduced mobility twelve parking spaces are accessible from Park Street. You will have to think about booking them in advance at the museum.
Where to stay near the Tate Modern in London?
The Tate Modern is located in the modern and dynamic district of Southwark , where it can be very convenient and friendly to stay. At the same time quiet and lively, Southwark is close to the hypercentre, and will delight travellers in search of trendy places. For more information, visit our detailed article “ In which quarter house in London? "
You now know how to visit the Tate Modern, a good stay in London!
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