The Top Five Art Galleries In The UK

The type of art you like can be deeply personal. You might be moved by classical paintings, portraits of religious figures, and perhaps tales from mythology. Here at Fotoviva we’re more into the photographic art side of things. Certain styles and colours may speak to you more than others.

There are also countless art categories ranging from contemporary, classical, abstract, to modern. The best way to discover art for yourself is to visit as many art galleries as you can. Europe is home to many amazing art galleries to start or continue your journey of artistic exploration. Here in the United Kingdom we have countless galleries that are worth seeing, most of which are free to enter. In this article, we will outline the top five art galleries in the UK.

Art Gallery Ranking

Other than personal artistic preferences, there are several ways to rank art galleries:

• Visitor count per year
• Unique exhibitions and pieces
• Amount of art work and size of collection
• Entrance fee
• Location, building, and environment

The Top Art Galleries In The UK

Tate Modern

• Location: London, England
• Visitor count based in April 2014 survey: 4,884,939
• Entrance fee: Free, except for special exhibitions
• Website: Click here

Tate Modern is the most visited modern art gallery in the world. It provides views of the Thames River and Millennium Bridge in London. This museum holds the national collection of British art from 1900 to the current day.

British Museum

• Location: London, England
• Visitor count based in April 2014 survey: 6,701,036
• Entrance fee: Free
• Website: Click here

The British Museum has a permanent collection numbering over 8 million works, which makes this one of the most largest and comprehensive assortments of art. The gallery’s collection is separated into geographical locations along with more specific departments, such as coins and medals. Not only will you find paintings and artwork here, but also sculptures, reconstructed architecture, and unique items such as The Rosetta Stone.

The National Gallery

• Location: London, England
• Visitor count based in April 2014 survey: 6,031,574
• Entrance fee: Free
• Website: Click here

Located in the center of the famous Trafalgar Square, this art museum houses over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. Here, works from masters such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh can be viewed.

National Portrait Gallery

• Location: London, England
• Visitor count based in April 2014 survey: 2,014,636
• Entrance fee: Free, except for select exhibitions
• Website: Click here

This is a unique art gallery in that it is focused on displaying portraits of the most influential individuals in British history. This includes painted portraits as well as photographs. Some of the individuals featured include Sir Ian McKellen and William Shakespeare.

National Galleries of Scotland

• Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
• Visitor count based in April 2014 survey: 1,460,324
• Entrance fee: Free
• Website: Click here

Combining many forms of art together, The National Galleries of Scotland comprise a set of three galleries: The Scottish National Gallery, The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

How to Really Look at Art in a Gallery

Whether you’re stepping into Tate Modern, a tiny coastal gallery in St Ives, or a pop‑up show in Birmingham, the key to enjoying what’s on the walls is slow looking. Here are a few ideas to help you tune in to a painting or photograph—especially when it’s abstract and the meaning isn’t obvious at first glance.

1. Pause before you read the label
   Let your eyes wander over the work for 30 seconds or so before you glance at the wall text. Titles, dates and descriptions are useful, but they can also anchor you too quickly to someone else’s interpretation. First impressions—colour harmonies, textures, the way your gaze moves across the surface—are valuable clues to how you connect with the piece.
2. Scan, then zoom
   Stand back to take in the whole composition, noticing its overall rhythm and the balance of light and dark. Next, step closer. In a Rothko or a large‑scale photographic print the pigments or pixels reveal delicate edges, brushstrokes or grain that vanish from a distance. Switching between wide lens and close‑up helps you see both structure and detail.
3. Ask three gentle questions
   • What do I feel? Jot down the first emotion or memory that surfaces.
   • What can I see? List colours, shapes, recurring motifs or photographic techniques without judging them.
   • Why might the artist have chosen these elements? This moves you from description to interpretation without demanding a single ‘right’ answer.
4. Embrace the ambiguity of abstract work
   Unlike representational art, abstraction rarely hands you a narrative on a plate. Think of it like poetry rather than prose: it works through suggestion, metaphor and mood. Give yourself permission not to ‘get’ it immediately (or at all). Sometimes the point is simply to experience the interplay of colour and form in the moment.
5. Use your senses, not just your eyes
   Ask yourself how the piece might sound if it were music, or what type of weather it evokes. This cross‑sensory approach can unlock fresh interpretations, particularly with minimalist or monochrome art where visual information is pared back.
6. Compare and contrast
   If the gallery hangs several works by the same artist, notice the progression—does the palette shift over time? Do early photographs feel more documentary and later ones more experimental? Seeing a body of work in sequence often reveals the artist’s evolving ideas.
7. Take breaks and circle back
   After you’ve spent 15–20 minutes looking, step into another room, grab a coffee, then return. A short reset can sharpen perception; colours that first felt subdued may suddenly pop, or an abstract print might echo forms you spotted elsewhere in the exhibition.
8. Chat (quietly) with companions or staff
   Swapping thoughts with a friend or asking a curator about their favourite piece can open new angles. UK galleries are usually delighted when visitors show curiosity—don’t hesitate to strike up a low‑key conversation.
9. Photograph the label, not just the work
   Most British galleries allow non‑flash photography for personal use. Snapping the info panel lets you revisit the artist’s name, medium and date later, so you’re free to stay in the flow while you’re there.

Next time you’re gallery‑hopping—from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art down to your local independent space—slow down, look twice and let the art breathe. You’ll walk out with richer memories and, who knows, maybe a new favourite abstract masterpiece.

Exploring The Best Art Galleries in England

Though these are just a selection of the top art galleries in the UK, you should not limit yourself to these alone. There are many smaller art galleries you can explore all over the country. If you have a specific art style you admire, search for art galleries that showcase that art form. You can probably find some great galleries in your home town.

Art is an expression of personality and involves a vast amount of different works. Explore the UK art galleries and others in the world to find what really grabs you, and perhaps begin creating your own art.

References

Visitor count information for museums obtained from:
Visitor Figures 2013. The Art Newspaper, International Edition. XXIII(256). Retrieved October 20th, 2014 from: http://www.museus.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/TheArtNewspaper2013_ranking.pdf.