Tate Modern
A free gallery of modern and contemporary art in a former power station on the Thames, with the Turbine Hall and large-scale installations.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Tate Modern opened in 2000 as the national gallery of international modern and contemporary art, created by the Tate organisation to separate its modern collection from the historic British art shown at Tate Britain. It occupies the former Bankside Power Station, a brick building designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and built in stages after the Second World War, which stopped generating electricity in 1981.
The architects Herzog & de Meuron converted the empty power station, keeping its tall chimney and the huge Turbine Hall, which became a vast entrance and a space for specially commissioned artworks. The gallery was an immediate success and became one of the most visited museums of modern art in the world.
A large extension, the Blavatnik Building, opened in 2016 on the south side. It added more gallery space, a viewing level and the underground Tanks, which are used for live performance and film. The displays are arranged by themes rather than by strict chronology, and include work by artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Yayoi Kusama.
Admission to the collection is free, and visitors pay only for some temporary exhibitions.
Highlights
- Turbine Hall with specially commissioned installations
- Free collection displays of modern and contemporary art
- The Tanks, underground spaces for live art and film
- Viewing level of the Blavatnik Building with views over London
- Works by Picasso, Matisse and Yayoi Kusama
Permanent exhibitions
- Materials and Objects – A free collection display of artists who have used new and unusual materials and methods.
- Performer and Participant – A free display on how artists from the 1960s to the 1990s opened up new spaces for participation.
- Media Networks – A free display showing how artists in the collection responded to the impact of mass media.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Tate
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Up to four children aged 11 and under go free to exhibitions per parent or guardian; £5 family child tickets are available for ages 12–18. |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Visitors with a disability pay a concessionary rate for exhibitions. |
Entry to the collection is free for everyone. Some temporary exhibitions are charged and booking is recommended; Members enter exhibitions free. Visitors aged 16–25 can join Tate Collective for £5 exhibition tickets.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
Lifts serve all floors of both buildings, and wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed free of charge, booked in advance or on arrival. Mobility scooters must be booked 24 hours ahead. Accessible toilets are on every floor, and a Changing Places toilet is on Level 0 of the Natalie Bell Building (RADAR key). Twelve accessible parking spaces on Park Street must be booked at least 24 hours ahead. A hearing loop is fitted at the ticket desks, and large print guides, magnifiers, ear defenders, quiet rooms, a visual story and free touch tours (booked by phone) are available. BSL interpretation, captioning and audio description are offered at some events. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
Free family events (Tate Play), the Tate Draw digital sketch pads and suggested gallery games are offered for families. A Baby Care Room is on Level 0 of the Natalie Bell Building, with extra nappy-changing facilities in toilets on levels 0 to 5. Children aged 11 and under go free to exhibitions, up to four per parent or guardian.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Blackfriars station · 300 m
Blackfriars station (rail, 300 m from the south exit), Southwark Underground station (Jubilee line, about 600 m) and Blackfriars Underground (District and Circle lines, about 800 m). Bus routes 40, 63 and 100 stop on Blackfriars Bridge Road, 381 on Southwark Street and 344 on Southwark Bridge Road. Thames Clipper boats (RB2, Tate to Tate) run from Millbank Pier to Bankside Pier every 30 minutes.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There are no parking facilities at Tate Modern or in the surrounding streets, apart from twelve bookable accessible spaces on Park Street.
- Accessible parking
Taxi drop-off is on Holland Street outside the main entrance, and coaches stop on Southwark Street. Bike parking is on Holland Street, New Globe Walk and Sumner Street. Entry is via the Turbine Hall ramp or the Blavatnik Building.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check: not available
- Lockers
Espresso Bar (Level 3), Terrace Café (Blavatnik Building Level 1) and a Restaurant and Bar on Level 6 with views of the Thames. Pay lockers (£4 to £8, card only) are on Level 0 of the Blavatnik Building and are free for Members. The cloakroom has closed. Bags larger than cabin size are not allowed.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free guided tours of part of the gallery run on most days. Bags are checked on arrival, so extra time should be allowed for security. Some artworks include loud noises, flashing lights or smoke effects. |
