Tate Modern

Tate Modern is the national gallery of international modern art and is one of London’s top free attractions. It’s packed with challenging modern art and is housed within a disused power station on the south bank of the River Thames.

The imposing brick building, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, has a superb permanent collection of modern art including masterpieces by Matisse, Picasso, Dalí, Magritte, Mirò, Pollock, Rothko and Warhol as well as regularly changing exhibitions by international artists.

Tate Modern’s collections are arranged around the vast Turbine Hall which displays enormous works of art. Pieces have included Carsten Höller’s Test Site – a series of twisting, silver slides that visitors could slither down and Shibboleth by Doris Salcedo, a crack in the hall floor that ran the entire length of the building.

Entry to Tate Modern is free, though there is a charge for some special exhibitions. Free guided tours are available, as well as paid tailored, individual and group tours.