Tate Modern
About Tate Modern
Britain's national gallery of international modern and contemporary art, housed in a former power station on the South Bank with free collection displays and its vast Turbine Hall.
History
Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott — architect of the red telephone box — and decommissioned in 1981. Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron converted it into a gallery, which opened in May 2000.
It quickly became one of the most visited modern art museums in the world. A ten-storey extension, now the Blavatnik Building, opened in 2016 and added new galleries and a public viewing level overlooking the Thames and the City.
What to Expect
Expect bold art and a lot of space. Start in the Turbine Hall, where a new large-scale commission is installed each year, then explore the free collection displays across the Natric and Blavatnik buildings. Don't miss the viewing level for free panoramic views of St Paul's Cathedral, then walk across the Millennium Bridge.
Known For
Highlights
- Free collection displays
- Turbine Hall commissions
- Panoramic 10th-floor views
- Millennium Bridge
- Bookshop
- Riverside cafés
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Tate Modern free?
- Yes, the collection displays and Turbine Hall are free. Major temporary exhibitions require a paid ticket.
- Does Tate Modern have a viewing platform?
- Yes, the Blavatnik Building has a free viewing level offering views across the Thames to St Paul's Cathedral.
- What is the nearest station to Tate Modern?
- Southwark and Blackfriars are the closest stations, both within about a 10-minute walk. London Bridge and St Paul's are also nearby.
More London Museums & Galleries
British Museum
The world's first national public museum, holding around eight million objects spanning two million years of human history, from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon sculptures.
Natural History Museum
A cathedral to the natural world in a stunning Victorian building, famous for Hope the blue whale skeleton, its dinosaur gallery and around 80 million specimens.
Victoria and Albert Museum
The world's leading museum of art, design and performance, with 5,000 years of fashion, furniture, ceramics, jewellery and sculpture in a magnificent Victorian building.