Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art — Attraction in London

I visited as part of Open House London. It was advertised as a tour of the building and collection. However, after a very short tour of the entrance hall, one of the rooms and the library, the guide said he was going to be at first and second galleries Everyone thought this was our opportunity to explore and discover the collection as per the advert for the event which stated the following: "Discover the Estorick Collection during Open House 2025 with free guided tours on 20 and 21 September 2025". "visitors will enter through the original entrance and explore the collection with an informative guide." We were all quickly summoned to go downstairs by a rather abrupt staff member who said the guide was waiting for us. The guide spoke a little and then we were ushered out of the building to end the tour. I went back inside to use the toilet, came out and looked briefly around the corner to see what was there. I was immediately questioned about where I was going. I wasn't allowed to explore the collection and was expected to pay the full admission charge even though it said in the advert "Standard admission fees to the museum apply if you are not part of the guided tour." I was part of the tour so presumed I wouldn't have to pay the admission fee. I found this event to be very misleading, and the experience of being summoned and questioned by the abrupt member of staff really spoilt what had started out as a nice experience in what seemed like a...

Tucked away in the backstreets of Canonbury, the Estorick Collection has been an important part of London’s art scene since its opening in 1998.

Currently, the ground floor hosts guest exhibitions, while the permanent Collection resides on the upper levels.

Renowned internationally, the Collection features a core of Futurist works along with figurative art and sculpture from the late 19th to mid-20th century.

Housed in a beautifully restored Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse, the Collection also offers a bookshop and a café serving Italian-style refreshments, with options for alfresco dining.

Guest exhibitions are showcased in Galleries One and Two on the ground floor.

It's an excellent choice if you prefer small art galleries or you're a fan of Italian art.

There are quite a few...

£8 to enter. Short walk from Highbury & Islington underground. Cafe and gallery shop also on site. Small garden area to sit in at the cafe if it’s a warm day. Nice building and very clean. The only thing that didn’t really do it for me was the art. I can’t claim to be knowledgeable or particularly interested in art so I view any galleries with a layman’s eye and I found the work uninspiring. Mostly early 20th century Italian artists on display. Pretty niche but some of the descriptions of how culture was impacted by Italian politics of the era was worth a read. The top galleries seemed like better work than those displayed on the lower floors. I wouldn’t return to this gallery but if it’s your thing then try...