clevelandbrown

We will be visiting London for ten days at the end of April, primarily to visit art museums. We often return to the same museum four or five times on one trip.

I know nothing of the geography of London. We will very likely buy a travel card for a week, but I need to know the zones to get the right card. Most of our time will be at Apsley house, the national gallery, and the Tates

Given this, what neighborhood would be most convenient to stay in for visiting the major art museums on foot, or with a limited zone travel card.

nytraveler

Are you sure you want to limityourself tothose museums?

What abou the National Portrait Gallery

the Courtauld Collection

the Royal Academy of Art

and awhole bunhc of others?

janisj

All of those are in zone 1- as are the majority of museums/galleries.

Get a zone 1-2 Oyster/travelcard

Tulips

Somewhere near a tube station on the Piccadilly line would be convenient; from Gloucester Road to Holborn and anywhere inbetween. Mayfair, Covent Garden.

The big hotels on Park Lane are close to Apsley House.

This is all in zone 1 on the tube.

BigRuss

>

Then learn it. London is the largest city in Western Europe and the #2 city is less than half its size. The Tates are not near each other; the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are. And the streets are not set in a grid, so you'll need a map.

>

This is easy: nearly all museums of any consequence are in Zone 1, therefore you need a Zone 1-2 card. Since you're a "we" and not a solo, get a paper travelcard and go to www.daysoutguide.co.uk and avail yourself of the 2for1 offers.

janisj

"Since you're a "we" and not a solo, get a paper travelcard and go to www.daysoutguide.co.uk and avail yourself of the 2for1 offers."

I purposely didn't mention the paper travelcards/2for1's since you said you are mostly interested in galleries/art museums and most of them are free. But Apsley House is one of the exceptions and is covered by the 2for1 offer

PatrickLondon

You'll find the bus map in the TfL visitor guide useful in locating yourself in relation to art galleries and other transactions. You will have to do some travelling wherever you stay (even if you stay in the Trafalgar Square area within walking distance of the National and the Courtauld, you'll be travelling to South Kensington for the V&A or to Piccadilly for the RA, or vice versa).
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...itor-guide.pdf

geetika

Even though most museums are free some special exhibits are covered by the 2for1 offers, so I'd suggest you go for the paper Travelcard. British museums are some of the best in the world, enjoy...

ssander

If you are an art lover, you should not miss the Courtauld Gallery under any circumstances.

Portrait Gallery is also a favorite of mine...but I am really into history.

Also, not strictly an art museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum is a treasure trove of the history of design. We love the art deco and art nouveau areas -- your taste may vary, but there will certainly be lots to see there for the art lover.

As for where to stay, as long as you're somewhere in zone 1 (but not too far east or west) you'll be near everything by tube.

SS

ssander

Also, assuming this post does not get axed as advertising, here is a link to the Courtauld Gallery's website.

http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/index.shtml

...and it is currently included on the 2-for-1 list.

...and ranked #6 of 798 attractions in London on Trip Advisor

...and the cafe there is a great place to have lunch.

SS

clevelandbrown

Thanks for all the information. I actually have a list of 17 Museums that interest us. I just put a few in my posting to simplify it.

BigRuss

>

Or for a snack - had a great shortbread there . . .

janisj

The great thing is most of the museums/galleries have good to great restaurants. Both Tates, the Nat'l Portrait Gallery, the Courtauld, etc etc etc

They most also have nice casual cafes.

annhig

Also, assuming this post does not get axed as advertising, here is a link to the Courtauld Gallery's website.>>

ssander - as i understand it, a recommendation of someone else's gallery, museum, hotel or restaurant is not advertising - it's only advertising if YOU own the Courtald Gallery.

you don't, do you?

latedaytraveler

Clevelandbrown, I am also a lover of London museums. One of my favorites is the WALLACE COLLECTION not far from Marble Arch. Check it out…

travelling_circus

My daughter and I stayed in Covent Garden and walked to National Gallery and Courtauld. We loved being in the thick of the action.

janisj

"One of my favorites is the WALLACE COLLECTION . . ."

I really like the Wallace Collection's restaurant - outdoor/courtyard, lovely food.

ssander

annhig...

>

I wish I did!!! Their fauve and blue rider paintings are outstanding and would look great on the walls of my home. (Maybe I can put together a few bucks from the cookie jar and buy a few.)

SS

Avalon2

I like the Gloucester road tube area. You can walk to the V&A and natural hisrory museums, take a direct bus from there
, I think it's the 74 ,to National Gallery, Nat'l, Portrait Gallery , another line to the Wall
ace Collection, Courtauld many other places without changes! And there are lots of cafes and service and excellent restaurants nearby

annhig

another confession [my first was on the "where to go after Blackpool" thread]:

Despite working in and living near London for 15 years i never went to either the Wallace Collection or the Courtauld. and i used to work in somerset house at least once a week.

nor did i ever get to the National Gallery or the National Portrait Gallery.

Shocking isn't it?