There's more than the Coronation going on this month in London! Here's a selection of events not to miss if you're visiting London in the beautiful month of May! Luxury and power: Persia to Greece Luxury and power: Persia to Greece 4 May – 13 August 2023British Museum: Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery Russell Square Major exhibition on luxury in the Persian … [Read more...] about What’s On in London Events for May 2023
Museums
Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians – Latest Exhibition at The Queens Gallery Buckingham Palace
Open from Friday 21 April 2023, The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace has a major exhibition revealing life in the 18th century through the fashions of the day. This was an exciting period when trade, entertainment and technological innovations became driving forces for iconic fashion trends across all levels of society. Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians … [Read more...] about Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians – Latest Exhibition at The Queens Gallery Buckingham Palace
Museum of Shakespeare exploring London’s first theatreland announced
The Museum of Shakespeare is set to open in spring 2024 allowing visitors to explore the archaeological remains of The Curtain Playhouse for the first time. The new immersive and interactive experience will be a permanent addition to Shoreditch, East London, and will transport visitors into the footsteps of the famous playwright. Archaeological excavation of the site took … [Read more...] about Museum of Shakespeare exploring London’s first theatreland announced
First printed edition of Shakespeare’s plays to go on display at London’s Guildhall Library
One of the first printed editions of William Shakespeare’s plays will go on rare display in London’s Guildhall Library to mark 400 years since it was published. The City of London Corporation will display the book for just five hours on Monday, April 24, along with a 10-minute talk given every hour of the day. The event marks the 400th anniversary of the first printed … [Read more...] about First printed edition of Shakespeare’s plays to go on display at London’s Guildhall Library
Marilyn Monroe, Elton John and Tina Turner outfits to star in Diva exhibition
Outfits worn by Marilyn Monroe, Sir Elton John and Tina Turner are to go on show at a museum in London. More than 250 objects, made up of fashion, photography, and music, will be showcased at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s (V&A) Diva exhibition from June. The collection, which looks at movie stars, performers, and opera singers, will explore how diva, meaning … [Read more...] about Marilyn Monroe, Elton John and Tina Turner outfits to star in Diva exhibition
A Great and Dirty City: Dickens and the London Fog – Charles Dickens Museum London Exhibition
While we don't have to contend with the 'pea-soupers' (polluted fog) of the 19th century, London's air quality is still a topical news story. In Dickens's time, the fog was sometimes known as the 'London ivy' as it crept across the work and life of Charles Dickens. A Great and Dirty City: Dickens and the London Fog is the latest exhibition at London's Charles Dickens Museum. … [Read more...] about A Great and Dirty City: Dickens and the London Fog – Charles Dickens Museum London Exhibition
London Events in April 2023 – What’s On for April
The Rossettis 6 April 2023 – 24 September 2023 Tate Britain Nearest Station: Pimlico This shows how siblings Christina and Dante Gabriel Rossetti forged a counter-cultural circle in 19th Britain, inspired by new ideas about life, love, sex, society, and art. This is the largest exhibition of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's paintings in two decades and the first time all … [Read more...] about London Events in April 2023 – What’s On for April
Preparations to prevent collision at Queen’s 1953 coronation part of new display at Lambeth Palace
Coronation artifacts including hand-drawn ceremonial diagrams designed to avoid a “collision” of key players during the anointing of the late Queen are to go on show. A new exhibition at Lambeth Palace Library features material dating back to Henry I’s coronation in the Middle Ages. It includes detailed notes and plans set out to ensure “a smooth and dignified sequence … [Read more...] about Preparations to prevent collision at Queen’s 1953 coronation part of new display at Lambeth Palace
New fashion exhibition brings the Met Gala to Kensington Palace
Outfits once worn by Beyonce, Blake Lively, Billy Porter, Nicola Coughlan and Katy Perry populate the rooms of Kensington Palace, as part of a blockbuster new fashion exhibition. Crown To Couture explores the similarities between fashion and celebrity in the 18th-century court and the red carpet today. Nearly four years in the making, it is the biggest exhibition ever … [Read more...] about New fashion exhibition brings the Met Gala to Kensington Palace
More than 200 looks to feature in V&A exhibition on Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel
More than 200 Chanel looks will be seen together for the first time in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s (V&A) forthcoming exhibition on the work of French fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will unfold over 10 sections, charting the evolution of her design style and the establishment of the House of Chanel, from the opening of … [Read more...] about More than 200 looks to feature in V&A exhibition on Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel
Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South at The Royal Academy
The latest exhibition at the Royal Academy is Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South. Open from 17 March 2023, it showcases unique African American artistic traditions and methods of visual storytelling. The exhibition presents the work of Black artists born between 1887 and 1965 who spent their careers in the American South. While many left … [Read more...] about Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South at The Royal Academy
National Portrait Gallery to reopen with exhibition on pioneering color photographer
The National Portrait Gallery is set to reopen with more than two dozen newly discovered works from trailblazing 20th-century British photographer Yevonde. Yevonde: Life And Colour will explore the life and career of Yevonde Middleton, who pioneered the use of color photography in the 1930s, and will run from June 22 to October 15. The exhibition will feature more than 25 … [Read more...] about National Portrait Gallery to reopen with exhibition on pioneering color photographer
Natural History Museum named most visited indoor UK attraction again
The Natural History Museum was the most visited indoor attraction in the UK for a second consecutive year, research shows. The London museum had 4,654,608 visitors last year, more than three million above the previous year’s figure of 1,571,413, a report by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva) found. However, the South Kensington museum’s ratings were … [Read more...] about Natural History Museum named most visited indoor UK attraction again
Shire horses prepare Tower of London moat for next wildflower display
The Tower of London has employed a pair of shire horses to transform its moat into a permanent haven for wildflowers. Around 20 million seeds were planted in the famous fortress’s moat last year for its first-ever floral display. Now the dark brown and white stallions, named William and Joey, have plowed the ground ahead of this summer’s bloom after being brought over … [Read more...] about Shire horses prepare Tower of London moat for next wildflower display
The Big Move Begins: 1st of 10,000 objects removed from Museum of London galleries
A prehistoric flint tranchet adze has become the first item to be removed from display at the Museum of London, following the closure of its London Wall site in December 2022. It marks the beginning of a 2 year process to remove 10,000 objects from its galleries as the museum prepares to move to a new home in West Smithfield. In use 10,000 years ago, the Mesolithic … [Read more...] about The Big Move Begins: 1st of 10,000 objects removed from Museum of London galleries
Emmeline Pankhurst immortalized by Madame Tussauds for International Women’s Day
Modern-day activists such as Florence Given joined Madame Tussauds London to unveil its new Emmeline Pankhurst waxwork ahead of International Women’s Day. The leading Suffragette has been immortalized by the London attraction 120 years after she co-founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), whose members were determined to win the right to vote for … [Read more...] about Emmeline Pankhurst immortalized by Madame Tussauds for International Women’s Day
Young V&A to open in summer after £13m redevelopment (and name change)
The V&A has announced its museum dedicated to children and young people will reopen this summer following a £13 million-plus redevelopment. The site in Bethnal Green, which dates back to 1872, was formerly called V&A Museum of Childhood but will relaunch on July 1 rebranded as the Young V&A. Designed with and for children under the age of 14, the space aims to … [Read more...] about Young V&A to open in summer after £13m redevelopment (and name change)
Extensive archive of David Bowie’s life to be made public in 2025 at new V&A museum in East London
An extensive archive of David Bowie’s life, work, and legacy will go on display to the public for the first time in 2025; it has been announced. Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (V and A), the exhibition will include more than 80,000 items that span six decades of the cultural icon’s career. They will be made available to the public through the creation of The … [Read more...] about Extensive archive of David Bowie’s life to be made public in 2025 at new V&A museum in East London
London Transport Museum Acton Depot Opening Announced!
The London Transport Museum Acton Depot, basically its big warehouse where it stores stuff that doesn't fit in the Coven Garden museum, has announced its first opening days for 2023. Between 24 and 26 March, London Transport Museum is hosting its first Depot Open Days event of 2023, throwing open the doors of its working Museum store in Acton Town for the public to … [Read more...] about London Transport Museum Acton Depot Opening Announced!
Tate Britain to unveil complete rehang of collection for first time in 10 years
Tate Britain has announced it will open a complete rehang of its national collection of British art for the first time in a decade. The new displays opening on May 23 will feature more than 800 works by over 350 artists, from much-loved favorites to recent discoveries and brand new commissions. The rehang will see female artists better represented, making up half of the … [Read more...] about Tate Britain to unveil complete rehang of collection for first time in 10 years
Exhibition Report: Donatello – Sculpting the Renaissance at the V&A
Opening on Saturday, 11 February 2023, The V&A museum has the first major UK exhibition to explore the work of the Renaissance master Donatello. The exhibition aims to provide a fresh vision of the artist and his impact on both the cultural and artistic development of this crucial time in the history of art. Donatello Arguably the greatest sculptor of all time, … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: Donatello – Sculpting the Renaissance at the V&A
London Zoo releases animal X-rays to showcase care and conservation work
London Zoo has released a series of X-rays of exotic creatures to showcase their work over the past decade. The archive images include X-rays of a critically endangered big-headed turtle, Humboldt penguin chicks, and a Western diamondback rattlesnake, and were all taken during the zoo’s work to care for more than 14,000 animals and 400 species. The zoo’s veterinary team … [Read more...] about London Zoo releases animal X-rays to showcase care and conservation work
Museum launches campaign to acquire Florence Nightingale’s customized wheelchair
The Florence Nightingale Museum has launched a public campaign to obtain the wheelchair used by the nursing pioneer in her London home after her return from the Crimean War. Nightingale used the customized mahogany and iron chair, with a red and tan floral brocade seat cover, in her Mayfair home as she fought through illness to transform healthcare and inspire generations of … [Read more...] about Museum launches campaign to acquire Florence Nightingale’s customized wheelchair
V&A set to open first major UK exhibition on Renaissance sculptor Donatello
The V&A museum is preparing to open the first major UK exhibition exploring the work of the Renaissance sculptor Donatello. Launching on February 11, Donatello: Sculpting The Renaissance will examine the Florentine artist’s “innovations, collaborations and inspirations” within 15th-century Italy and the influence he had on subsequent generations. Among the some … [Read more...] about V&A set to open first major UK exhibition on Renaissance sculptor Donatello
Artist Ai Weiwei to launch first design-focused exhibition at London’s Design Museum
Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei is to take over London’s Design Museum with his first installation using design and history as a lens through which to consider what we value. Hundreds of thousands of objects, which have been collected by Weiwei since the 1990s as part of his ongoing fascination with artifacts and traditional craftsmanship, will be at the heart of the … [Read more...] about Artist Ai Weiwei to launch first design-focused exhibition at London’s Design Museum