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Explore the most iconic museums the UK has to offer

Hepworth Wakefield, Museum of the Year Winner, 2017. Photo: Marc Atkins / Art Fund 2017. MOTY 2017. CP0068
Hepworth Wakefield, Museum of the Year Winner

Whether you love cutting-edge art, classical painting or artefacts from around the world, you’ll be able to see all your favourite things at these major museums and galleries and tick a must-see attraction off your wishlist.

From galleries by the sea to city hotspots, we’ve rounded up some of the most iconic venues across the UK, so you can plan museum visits and discover the fantastic benefits a National Art Pass brings.

From major exhibitions to treasured collections and spectacular views, these places have it all.

So, take out your diary and start planning your next cultural day out. Here are just a few ideas to get you started…

01
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

Uncover the fascinating history of life on Earth, ranging from the tiniest of insects to the world's most monstrous mammals. Through a vast array of natural history displays and a varied programme of events and major exhibitions year-round, discover answers to some of nature's biggest questions at the Natural History Museum.

02
V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum), The John Madejski Garden at the V&A

V&A South Kensington

From elaborate theatre models to stained glass and East Asian art, there's so much varied beauty on display at this dazzling venue. As well as their extraordinary collections, the V&A is known for its rich exhibitions programme, showcasing art, design and fashion from around the world.

03
Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool + RIBA

Located on the waterfront of the Royal Albert Dock, this spectacular gallery brings the creativity, curiosity and cutting-edge contemporary art of Tate to this important historic spot in the North West. A range of free displays are complimented by fascinating exhibitions, highlighting exciting contemporary artists and important global issues.

04

Ashmolean Museum

In the historic city of Oxford, the Ashmolean Museum is renowned for its wide collection of art and archaeological artefacts. The museum hosts exhibitions centered around unique objects, celebrated artists and the history of some of the art world's most influential movements.

05

National Museum of Scotland

With dozens of galleries dedicated to everything from art, design, fashion and technology to archaeology, science and Scottish history, this major Edinburgh attraction is the perfect place to soak up Scotland’s national history.

06

National Galleries Scotland: National

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery is packed to the rafters with iconic works of art, from Rembrandt, Titian and Raphael to Angelica Kauffmann.

07
Science Museum © Marc Atkins / Art Fund 2020

Science Museum

The Science Museum's extensive collections and interactive spaces include galleries dedicated to medicine, biology, space travel, engineering, technology and the environment. Plus see special exhibits such as astronaut Helen Sharman’s space suit or Britain’s Black Arrow satellite launch vehicle up close.

08
Tate Modern

Tate Modern

From the mesmerising Turbine Hall and a vast collection of modern art, to an inspiring gallery shop and stunning views over London from the viewing deck, there's so much to do at this wonderful gallery. See anticipated exhibitions, discover the world's best contemporary artists and get inspired in London's creative South Bank.

09

Charleston

The former stomping ground of the collective of creatives known as the Bloomsbury Group – including Virginia Woolf, Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant – Charleston is brimming with gems to explore, across the house, garden, studio and gallery. Its fantastic exhibitions often run in tandem, meaning one ticket gives you the opportunity to experience two for the price of one!

10
Alice Neel: Hot Off The Griddle, Installation view, Barbican Art Gallery

Barbican Art Gallery

The Barbican's vibrant spaces include multiple galleries and a spectacular greenhouse to explore. Their insightful exhibitions explore art, architecture, design, fashion, photography and film, especially looking at where different industries and mediums crossover.

11

Design Museum

From the Arts and Crafts movement to the history of London transport, furniture and book design, the Design Museum boasts an eclectic collection celebrating the evolution of design through the ages. Their groundbreaking exhibitions explore how design has had a major influence on numerous industries, exploring the varied worlds of music, sport and even ASMR.

12
The Whitworth, Manchester, 2016.

The Whitworth

This stunning art gallery in Whitworth Park boasts gorgeous, varied displays that transform the space with each new exhibition. Here you can visit artist Anya Gallaccio’s permanent installation in the park, a captivating steel tree, and explore a collection of 60,000 works of art.

13

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

This vibrant contemporary art space in Gateshead is known for its inspiring and experimental exhibitions. Here, you can often catch exciting emmerging names in the art world at the early stages of their careers, presenting a range of intriguing work, from immersive installations to intricate sculptures.

14
Towner Eastbourne © Marc Atkins / Art Fund 2020

Towner Eastbourne

This colourful gallery perched on England’s south coast is the perfect spot to combine the seaside with contemporary art. Its exhibitions focus on modern and contemporary art, and the collection includes the one of the largest collections of work by modern painter Eric Ravilious.

15

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Immersed in Brighton’s cultural quarter, at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is home to local and global collections of art, history and design. Their exhibitions and events are rooted in uncovering the secrets of the past and investigating the core issues of the present day. Plus, you're a mere ten minute from the famous Brigton Pier!

16

Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden

With an exquisite garden full of the artist’s original bronzes plus her full studio to explore, the Barbara Hepworth Museum provides an insight into the life and work of one of the 20th century’s best-known sculptors. This is the perfect spot to get some inspiration in an artist's creative corner.

17
Tate St Ives by Jamie Fobert Architects

Tate St Ives

This lively art gallery overlooking Porthmeor Beach celebrates the best in modern post-war and contemporary art, and its spectacular coastal setting is an added bonus! Explore the rich artistic history of West Cornwall and the artists who thrived there, from Alfred Wallis and Marlow Moss to Barbara Hepworth.

18
St Fagans National Museum of History
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff, Museum of the Year 2019 Winner

St Fagans National Museum of History

A rare ‘open air’ museum, St Fagans is made up of an expansive park, farm and historic cottages which have been reconstructed to tell the stories of Wales’ communities over time. Explore galleries and historic buildings such as a school, chapel and workmen’s institute at this outdoor wonder.

19

National Gallery

The National Gallery is home to over 2,000 paintings, some dating all the way back to the 1300s. The artists featured in their collections include some of the most internationally celebrated names in the history of art, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, JMW Turner and dozens more. Their exhibitions programme provides the opportunity to explore the work of these artists from new perspectives.

20
The Hepworth Wakefield

The Hepworth Wakefield

The gorgeous garden at the Hepworth Wakefield is perfect for spotting sculpture in the wild, while the collection inside features the work of Wakefield artists Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore alongside other modern British masters such as Eileen Agar and Ben Nicholson. A programme of exhibitions includes restrospectives on sculpture, painting, photography and more.


National Art Pass gives you free entry to hundreds of museums, 50% off major exhibitions, money off in museum cafes and shops, plus many more brilliant benefits.

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The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.

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