Tate Britain

Tate Britain is an art museum on the Thames riverbank in Westminster that displays over 78,000 works of British art from the 16th century to the present. The rooms spread across several floors with rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection arranged by period and theme.

The gallery opened in 1897 as the National Gallery of British Art on the site of the former Millbank Prison. The name Tate Britain emerged in 2000 when the institution split from Tate Modern and focused solely on British art.

The collection holds the world's largest number of works by J. M. W. Turner, displayed in a dedicated wing. Each year, the venue hosts the Turner Prize, which recognizes British artists under 50 and often sparks debates about contemporary art.

The entrance sits a short walk from Pimlico station, and the permanent collection is open daily with free admission. Special exhibitions usually require a separate ticket, which can be booked online in advance.

During World War II, over 700 works were evacuated to Muncaster Castle in Cumbria to protect them from bombing raids. The venue also houses an underground tunnel archive that once served as a shelter.

Location: City of Westminster

Inception: 1897

Founders: Sir Henry Tate

Architects: Sidney R. J. Smith

Official opening: 1897

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Part of: Tate

Address: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00

Phone: +442078878888

Website: https://tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain

GPS coordinates: 51.49106,-0.12779

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:45