Tate Modern

It is now the home of Modern Art in London. Start your exploration in the gigantic turbine hall that hosts massive works of art, then go up to the galleries where you will find world-famous exhibits such as Marcel Duchamp's Fountain and Marc Rothko's Seagram Murals.

You can then enjoy a rest in one of Tate Modern's lovely cafes before making your way to the museum's new extension, the Switch House (also known as the Blavatnik Building), providing a new set of display spaces, such as the underground Tanks dedicated to performances, installations and video work.

And at the top of the Switch House, you will find a bar with an open viewing terrace giving you stunning views of the River Thames and the London Skyline. A perfect way to end your visit. Don't forget to pop by one of the shops to get a souvenir!

The site was in danger of being demolished until the Tate stepped in with an announcement in 1994 that the power station was to become the new Tate Modern art gallery. Architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron won a design competition to secure the order for the redevelopment of the site.

The Turbine Hall was retained and a two-story glass extension added to one half of the roof. Due to the great success of the gallery, more space was acquired from EDF Energy to extend the site. The museum's new extension, the Switch House opened in 2016 along with The Tanks—three enormous underground storage tanks now used for performance art.

Address and Contact Details

Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Telephone: 020 7887 8888
Email: Send email
Website: National Gallery (opens in new window).

Travel Connections

• Underground (Tube):
• Southwark (Jubilee Line): Approximately 600m, 7-minute walk.
• Blackfriars (District & Circle Lines): Approximately 500m, 5-minute walk (South Bank exit has lifts to street level).
• St Paul's (Central Line): Approximately 900m, 11-minute walk (cross Millennium Bridge).
• London Bridge (Northern & Jubilee Lines): Approximately 1.2km, 15-minute walk.
• Mansion House (District & Circle Lines): Approximately 700m, 9-minute walk.

• National Rail:
• Blackfriars: Approximately 500m, 5-minute walk (South Bank exit).
• London Bridge: Approximately 1.2km, 15-minute walk.
• Cannon Street: Approximately 1km, 12-minute walk.
• Waterloo: Approximately 2km, 25-minute walk.

• Bus:
• Bus stops within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
• Numbers stopping nearby include:
• Routes serving Blackfriars Bridge Road, Southwark Street, Southwark Bridge Road: 40, 63, 100, 344, 381, N40, N63.
• Routes serving Southwark Bridge: 17, 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, 141, 149, 344, 388, N21, N133, N199, N343.
• Routes serving London Bridge: 21, 35, 47, 133, N21, N133, N199.

• River Boat:
• Bankside Pier: Directly outside Tate Modern, served by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (RB2 Tate to Tate service runs every 30 minutes between Tate Modern and Tate Britain).

• Car:
• Limited pay and display parking on surrounding streets (free at weekends and after 18:30 on weekdays).
• An open-air car park is available off Park Street. Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can be booked in advance by emailing ticketing@tate.org.uk or calling 020 7887 8888. The nearest Blue Badge bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the South entrance/Blavatnik entrance. The route from the car park has slopes/ramps, so assistance may be required.

• Cycling:
• Santander Cycles docking stations are located nearby at Poured Lines (Bankside), Park Street (Bankside), and Blackfriars Road (Southwark).
• Public bike racks are available on Bankside and New Globe Walk, both 10 metres from the theatre.

Facilities

• Cafes and Restaurants (including a Level 10 cafe in the Blavatnik Building with city views).
• Shops.
• Cloakroom (bags and items larger than cabin bag size (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) are not permitted in the building and must be stored in the cloakroom).
• Toilets.
• Baby changing facilities.
• Accessible toilets.
• Changing Places toilet (Lower Floor) with electric hoist, height adjustable changing bench, and privacy screen.

Access

• Level access at various entrances.
• Automatic double doors at main entrances.
• Ramps and lifts available throughout the building.
• Stairs and escalators also provide access between floors.
• Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome.
• Guide dogs are welcome.
• Free blind touch tours and audio-described tours are available (must be booked in advance).
• Relaxed hours for exhibitions are often offered (e.g., third Tuesday of the month from 10 am to 11 am for some exhibitions).

Entry Fees

• General Collection Displays: Free admission.
• Special Exhibitions: Ticketed, prices vary (typically up to £22). Discounts may be available for students, job seekers, and disabled visitors (around £20). Under 12s go free (up to 4 per family adult), and children aged 12-18 pay a reduced fee (e.g., £5) if accompanied by an adult. Booking in advance is often recommended for special exhibitions.
• Tate Members receive free access to exhibitions and discounts.

Opening Times

• Daily: 10:00 – 18:00
• Friday and Saturday: Open until 22:00
• Closed: 24th, 25th, and 26th December.
• Open: 1st January (usual hours).

Useful Links

[Tate Britain: Official Website]/[https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern] (Opens in new window)

The official Tate Modern website displays information about:

• General Information: Location, opening hours, and admission fees.
• What's On: Details about exhibitions, live performances, and video installations.
• Visiting: Information on how to get there (walk, cycle, ride, drive), admission details (concessionary rates, entry for children), and security policies (bag size, storage lockers for personal items, including skateboards and scooters).
• Amenities: Descriptions of on-site facilities, including the Tate Modern Restaurant & Bar, Corner Cafe, and Terrace Shop, as well as exclusive member bars.
• Accessibility: A comprehensive guide for visitors with disabilities, including information on accessible parking, wheelchair and mobility scooter provision, assistance dogs, and resources for blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, dyslexic, and autistic visitors.
• Visiting Tips: Guides for planning a visit, including a visual story, tips for families and school groups, and a guide to "slow looking."
• Membership: Information on becoming a Tate Member to receive benefits such as free entry to exhibitions.
• Contact Information: Details on how to contact the gallery, including an email address and phone number for booking accessible parking.

Nearby Places of Interest

• Millennium Bridge (Less than 1 minute walk): A pedestrian suspension bridge crossing the River Thames, connecting Tate Modern with St Paul's Cathedral. It offers stunning views of the river, the cathedral, and the city skyline.
• Shakespeare's Globe (1-2 minutes walk): A faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse originally built in 1599, where many of Shakespeare's plays were first performed. Visitors can take tours, attend workshops, and see performances.
• Bankside Gallery (2-3 minutes walk): Home to the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, this gallery hosts a changing programme of exhibitions featuring contemporary watercolours and prints.
• The Golden Hinde (8-9 minutes walk): A full-size reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's ship, the first English vessel to circumnavigate the globe. It offers a glimpse into 16th-century seafaring life.
• The Clink Prison Museum (9-10 minutes walk): Located on the site of the notorious medieval prison, this museum tells the grizzly story of the prison's history and its inmates.
• Borough Market (11-12 minutes walk): One of London's oldest and largest food markets, offering a vast array of high-quality produce, street food, and gourmet ingredients. It's a vibrant spot for food lovers.
• St Paul's Cathedral (11-12 minutes walk): An iconic Anglican cathedral, a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Visitors can explore its magnificent interior, climb to the dome for panoramic views, and visit the crypt.
• The Shard (14-15 minutes walk): Western Europe's tallest building, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of London from its observation decks. It also houses restaurants, bars, and a hotel.

Useful Links

Tate Britain: Official Website (Opens in new window) The official Tate Modern website displays information about:

* General Information: Location (Bankside, London), opening hours (10:00–18:00 daily), and admission fees (free for the main collection).

* What's On: Details about exhibitions, live performances, and video installations, featuring artists like Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama, and Henri Matisse.

* Visiting: Information on how to get there (walk, cycle, ride, drive), admission details (concessionary rates, free entry for children), and security policies (bag size, storage lockers for personal items, including skateboards and scooters).

* Amenities: Descriptions of on-site facilities, including the Tate Modern Restaurant & Bar, Corner Cafe, and Terrace Shop, as well as exclusive member bars.

* Accessibility: A comprehensive guide for visitors with disabilities, including information on accessible parking, wheelchair and mobility scooter provision, assistance dogs, and resources for blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, dyslexic, and autistic visitors.

* Visiting Tips: Guides for planning a visit, including a visual story, tips for families and school groups, and a guide to "slow looking."

* Membership: Information on becoming a Tate Member to receive benefits such as free entry to exhibitions.

* Contact Information: Details on how to contact the gallery, including an email address and phone number for booking accessible parking.