Tate Modern

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The building was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, who also designed the iconic red London telephone box and Battersea Power Station.

2. 2

   The Turbine Hall floor occupies an area equivalent to three football pitches.

3. 3

   Tate Modern houses an extensive archives collection accessible to researchers by appointment.

4. 4

   The Blavatnik Building's twisted, pyramid-like structure is clad in 336,000 bricks to match the texture of the original power station.

5. 5

   The gallery's collection is arranged by theme rather than strict chronological order, allowing for cross-era comparisons.

6. 6

   A massive underground oil tank network, formerly used for the power station, now serves as a subterranean performance space known as The Tanks.

Overview

Tate Modern is the United Kingdom's national gallery of international modern and contemporary art, housed in the former Bankside Power Station. The structure is defined by its massive Turbine Hall, an industrial cathedral-like space used for large-scale, site-specific art installations. The collection spans from 1900 to the present, featuring works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Yayoi Kusama. The Blavatnik Building, a ten-story geometric extension, provides additional gallery space and a 360-degree viewing terrace. The museum operates as a free-to-enter public institution, though special exhibitions require separate tickets. It is situated on the south bank of the River Thames, directly across from St Paul's Cathedral. The site integrates the original steel-framed brick architecture with contemporary concrete additions. Visitors have access to multiple cafes and restaurants, including the Level 6 restaurant offering panoramic views of the London skyline.

Insider tips

• Book free timed-entry tickets online in advance to guarantee access during peak periods.

• Use the Level 10 viewing platform in the Blavatnik Building for a free, high-vantage perspective of the city.

• Check the museum website for the current Turbine Hall commission, as the installation changes periodically and serves as the gallery's centerpiece.