The best late night museum openings in London
By Adam Stokes
After a long day in the office, sometimes its nice to go out and get a bit of culture after work. With more and more museum lates now available in London, its becoming easier to go out and explore art galleries, museums and galleries after dark. See our top picks below, from art galleries in London to natural history museum lates.
Camden Arts Centre | Every Wednesday
Pic taken from camdenartscentre.org
Camden Arts Centre in Hampstead is open until 9pm every Wednesday, offering a variety of events for keen art enthusiasts as well as those who are interested in finding out more. With free entry, you’ve got no excuse not to pop down after dinner to watch a show or even take part in a class. From approaches to painting to life drawing classes and shows from professional artists, it’ll be better than anything you’ll find on TV.
When: Open until 9pm every Wednesday
Where: Arkwright Road, NW3 6DG
Cost: Free
Natural History Museum | last Friday of every month
Pic taken from nhm.ac.uk
Natural History Museum Lates occur on the last Friday of every month, excluding December, allowing you to explore the wonders of the world after 6pm. With a handful of temporary exhibitions on offer, including live shows and music as well as the usual collections available to browse, there’s enough to be enjoyed until closing at 10:30pm. With free entry and food and drink on offer as well, its the perfect way to spend an evening on the town.
When: Open until 10pm on the last Friday of every month
Where: Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD
Cost: Free to attend, but you need to book tickets for the exhibitions
Apsley House Twilight Tours | Every Wednesday in October
Pic taken from english-heritage.org.uk
Offering something a little different, evening tours of the Duke of Wellington’s Regency home give you the chance to explore history in style from 6pm every Wednesday in October. Having little changed since 1815, expect to see an extensive art collection as well as an in depth tour of the impressive Georgian House, all via torch-lit curators.
When: From 6pm – 8.30pm, every Wednesday in October, 6pm – 8.30pm
Where: Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7NT
Cost: £12.00
Christie’s Lates | First Tuesday of every month
Pic taken from christies.com
To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Christie’s are running museum lates on the first Tuesday of every month. Expect a range of art, interior design and collections to be on offer, with specialist talkers and guest speakers also making appearances. The events are free entry and run from 6pm, with a bar available for drinks too.
When: From 6pm – 8.30pm, on the first Tuesday of every month
Where: 85 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3LD
Cost: Free
With a wide range of late night museum openings throughout London, turn off the TV, head outside and get some culture after work instead. For relatively cheap or often free entry, and a variety of food and drinks on offer at many venues, there’s no excuse not to explore what the capital has to offer come nightfall.
More Free Museum Lates in London
British Library: Tuesdays until 8pm | 96 Euston Road, King’s Cross, London, NW1 2DB
Sir John Soane’s Museum | First Tuesday of the month until 9pm | 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, London, WC2A 3BP
Science Museum Lates | Wednesdays until 10pm | Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD
Institute of Contemporary Arts | Thursdays until 9pm | 12 Carlton House Terrace, The Mall, St James’s, London, SW1Y 5AH
Wellcome Collection | Thursdays until 10pm | 183 Euston Road, Bloomsbury, London, NW1 2BE
Whitechapel Gallery | Thursdays until 9pm | 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, Tower Hamlets, London, E1 7QX
National Portrait Gallery | Thursdays & Fridays until 9pm | St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE
British Museum | Fridays until 8.30pm | Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B 3DG
National Gallery | Fridays until 9pm | Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN
Tate Britain | Selected Fridays until 10pm | Millbank, Westminster, London, SW1P 4RG
Victoria and Albert Museum | Fridays until 10pm | Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2RL
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For more things to do throughout the capital, check out our entertainment section.
