Tate Modern

A family day out on the South Bank

Tate Modern is the most visited gallery of modern art in the world, and with good reason. It displays a vast collection of international modern art from 1900 onwards, and is famously strong on works from the 1980s to the present day.

The collection contains highlights from all of the 20th century’s major artistic movements, from Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art, while the works of Picasso, Pollock and Rothko can be found alongside the output of today’s contemporary art heavyweights such as Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin.

As well as its permanent collection, the gallery features constantly changing exhibitions of artists, both retrospectives and new works.

In April 2012 a new exhibition of Damien Hirst’s work will open, and June sees the opening of Edvard Munch: The Modern eye, an exhibition of Munch’s 20th century works including paintings, photography and film. The show will aim to explore the artist as a Modernist rather than in his more popular image as a solely 19th century painter. A trip to the gallery is also a great opportunity for foodies, as the Tate Modern Restaurant supplies high quality dining with a spectacular view of the city across the River Thames, which is sure to inspire the artist within!

The gallery is located on the South Bank of the River and is easily accessible from London Bridge Station. The area surrounding it is perfect for culture vultures, as the South Bank is famous for its theatres, which include the National Theatre and the Young Vic. If you’ve not got tickets for a show, why not visit Shakespeare’s Globe, a modern reconstruction of perhaps the most famous playhouse of all where you’ll find a fascinating exhibition of the life of the great playwright.

You’re also not far from Southwark cathedral, and Borough Market is well worth a look for street food and farm produce. You can easily plan a day for the whole family – the Tate Modern is welcoming to families with children, offering baby-changing facilities, buggy parking and fun activities for kids. Book train tickets online with Southern Railway and you can take advantage of our latest discount offers.