Art galleries & museums
South Bank is known for its rich art scene. Our favourite exhibition this summer is the provocative Kiss My Genders at the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery, which brings together nearly 40 artists in a dazzling celebration of fluidity and freedom.
There’s also gallery@oxo, an intimate and free riverside gallery space located at the foot of South Bank's celebrated Oxo Tower. Showcasing the best in photography, contemporary design and architecture, the boutique gallery welcomes and champions contemporary artists tackling thought-provoking global issues in their work. With a frequently changing exhibition programme, there is always something new to discover here.
You can also escape the heat this summer exploring the Imperial War Museum. Housed within the walls of what used to be the Bedlam Hospital in the 18th century, the museum tells the intriguing and often heart-wrenching stories of British and Commonwealth soldiers affected by war. Its current exhibition, Culture Under Attack, explores how war threatens not just lives, but the things that make life worth living, and is well worth a look in. There are lots of child-friendly activities on offer, too, and the beautiful surrounding gardens of Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park are perfect for a post-exhibition picnic.
Meanwhile, the Florence Nightingale Museum offers a chance to uncover the life and work of the world’s most famous nurse, travelling through three pavilions to relive Florence’s childhood, understand her experiences in the Crimean War and discover how she pioneered modern nursing practice.