tuscanlifeedit

Before realizing that there are several exhibits I want to see while in London, I had planned on visiting three places we had never been before:

1. Guidlhall Art Gallery/museum
2. British Museum
3. Kenwood House and poke around Hampstead

With 4 nights in London, this seemed really easy.

But while researching my husband and I have found these exhibits and we are torn on our itinerary. I have two requests: If you've visited any of these exhibits can you review your impressions please, and also I could use some help organizing the days and nights. We've already cut our plan to see a dance performance because we'll be too busy.

Vogue 100 at the National Portrait Gallery

Strange and Familiar: Britain as revealed by international photographers at Barbican Gallery

Paul Strand at the V&A

Pre-Raphealites on Paper at Leighton House

Photo London (major photo fair) at Somerset House

*Painting with Light
Art and Photography from the Pre-Raphaelites to the modern age
Tate Britain:

We love Pre-Raphealites, and my husband is a photo journalist, thus our foci.
I should probably add that I don't like the Barbican. I find it cold and soulless, and could drop that although the exhibit sounds very interesting.
Also, we will be coming to London from the Peak District where we'll see Chatsworth and Haddon Hall, as well as the grounds of Lyme House, so maybe Kenwood is one great house too many?
This will be mid-May, Monday through Thursday.

sofarsogood

I wouldn't class Kenwood with the likes of Chatsworth - its much smaller. But it is in a nice part of London and more relaxing contrast to central London, with opportunity to explore Hampstead and wander on the heath.

A good choice for a sunny day.

northie

As sofar said . I would only go to kenwood to see the art not the house - it's a small gallery in a lovely park .
Haven't seen any of the above exhibitions but have always found Natiobal portrait gallery exhibitions well worth seeing.

flanneruk

<b>The Guildhall Gallery </b>is pretty much in London's third division of publicly-funded free museums (and even that's exaggerating its interest) as far as its art collection overall is concerned, though some specialists in certain artistic movements may find interesting stuff there. The building itself is essentially a pastiche of what was there before most of the area was flattened in the Blitz, and Flanders has many, many similar but far nicer Gothic (and 20th century reconstructed) town halls.

For most people, the nearish Museum of London is infinitely more interesting, with a serious mission to chronicle the conurbation's (but above all the City's) history.

But the Guildhall's sort-of recreation of the Roman amphitheatre underneath is interesting. It's bound to look pretty mimsy to anyone used to Continental Roman remains, or to anyone familiar with the classical-era excavations under prominent buildings in Barcelona, Naples or Athens. But it covers a substantial area, and this recreation is probably the most spectacular example in Britain of what's sometimes called planning-gain archaeology: the requirement for full archaeological surveys attached to most planning permission for major urban developments.

Takes only ten minutes or so to wizz round

flanneruk

<b>The British Museum </b> is one of the world's great forces of nature, and can't possibly be appreciated in one go.

In spite of much redevelopment over the past 30 years, much of it's still artificially lit, and it's almost impossible to retain concentration for more than a couple of hours. It's got far more than a couple of hours' worth of artefacts to see.

The ONLY strategy is three-pronged:
- Research, research, research
- Remember this is Britain, so there's no need to try to cram everything into one visit, and it's simply self-deluding to pretend there's any value in staying inside it for more than a couple of hours. Go in once, check the priorities you've developed from the research by wizzing round, then get out and do something else.
Come back later and see some of what you wanted to see. Go and do something else again.
- It'll be there in a decade's time. By then, you'll have developed an interest in Korean statues, or India in the time of Asoka or whatever. See only what interests you now

tuscanlifeedit

Thanks so much for the feedback. I had been whining (whinging?) on another thread about no reponses, and here they are!

There is specific art I want to see at the Guildhall, so maybe I should write them and ask if it will be there while we are. Martin Parr's exhibit Unseen City has a good review or two. I guess we will pop through there.

Tulips

Hi Tuscanlifeedit, haven't been to any of the exhibits you are contemplating, but we visited Kenwood House last year. Lived in London for years but somehow never went there. I really enjoyed it, but it does take up some time to get there and back. It's going to be there for your next visit, while some of the temporary shows will not.
We really went because I saw the movie 'Belle' which is set in Kenwood House, which reminded me I had never seen the house. Bit disappointing that the original of the painting referred to in the film was not there, just a copy. But if you're going to Kenwood, watch the film first.

And I thought Hampstead High Street was charming 20 years ago, but now it's just a generic highstreet with the same shops as anywhere else.

And what was it you wanted to ask about foodhalls ;-)?

Cathinjoetown

I'd want to do most, if not all, of what you have listed, so that's no help. Lots of choice, not a good thing with a time crunch.

So, with limited time, I would skip the pre-R's on paper although those exhibits often give insight into the thought process.

I don't know Paul Strand but can say that usually the special exhibits at the V&A are easy to get in and out, move around, etc.

I would skip the exhibit at the Barbican and based on flanner's comments, leave the Guildhall for another time.

Hampstead is great on a fine day when you can walk from the village across the heath to Kenwood House. I haven't been to Kenwood in 20 years, when last there it was very short on furnishings although the rooms themselves were beautiful. Like the suggestion to watch the film and suggest you research what the rooms look like now and what parts of the house are open.

I love the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Try to do at least some of the B. Museum and the special exhibit at the latter.

mes2525

The British Museum has a show on Sicily that looks good and there collection is massive. Since you are going to Chatsworth-a splendid house with great shops-so I would not go to Kenwood unless you have extra time.
The V&A is my favorite London museum but it is also massive and is a major time investment.

annhig

Here's the link to the exhibition:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_o...ns/sicily.aspx

it's on from 21.4.16 to 14.8.16.

As we're going to Sicily in September I'm going to try REALLY hard to get there. See you there, Tuscan?

jamikins

While you are at Guildhall I also highly recommend the Museum of London! Great museum!

Also if you walk west up Gresham Street and the north up the side streets there are remnants of the London wall with plaques explaining what you are seeing. Something different!

Also at the end of Gresham to the west there is an entrance to a gated park across the road called Postmans Park. In the park there is a wall dedicated to people who died saving others on lovely tiles dating back to the early 1900's (I think).

Just some lesser known things to experience.

tuscanlifeedit

Wow, thanks everyone.

Tulip, I thought Hampstead High Street charming 30 years ago. I guess it's gone the way of many charming high streets, from what you describe.

I have seen the movie Belle.

I am guessing we will skip the trip to Hampstead and try very hard to visit the British Museum.

We have been to London several times over the years but there are always endless things to see and do.

jamikins, I do think we will be hitting the Guildhall and so will try to include the Museum of London and the bit of London wall. I've read about but not see Postmans Park and think we ought to.

Thank you all again. This is helping me rework my itinerary. There is a meeting near the Gherkin I have to attend so maybe we can arrange these things for that day. I also read of a street food gathering there; I'll have to check and see if it coincides with my meeting.