Guildhall Art Gallery — Attraction in London

Guildhall Art Gallery

The Guildhall Art Gallery is a significant art museum located in the heart of the City of London, housing the art collection of the City of London Corporation. The gallery is situated in the Moorgate area, adjacent to and internally connected with the historic Guildhall.

History and Architecture

The gallery's history dates back to 1670, when the City of London Corporation began commissioning and collecting portraits to hang in the Guildhall. The first purpose-built gallery was completed in 1885, but it was almost completely destroyed during the London Blitz in 1941, resulting in the loss of 164 paintings, drawings, watercolors, and prints, along with 20 sculptures.

The current building was designed by British architect Richard Gilbert Scott in a postmodern style. Redevelopment began in 1985, and the gallery was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999. The building was constructed as a semi-Gothic stone structure to harmonize with the adjacent historic Guildhall.

Collection and Exhibitions

The gallery houses approximately 4,500 works, with over 1,300 oil paintings. The collection spans from 1670 to the present day, with particular strengths in Victorian art and Pre-Raphaelite works.

The centerpiece of the collection is John Singleton Copley's massive work "The Defeat of the Floating Batteries at Gibraltar," one of the largest oil paintings in Britain, displayed across two floors in the gallery's entrance hall.

Notable works include Hendrick Avercamp's "Winter Landscape with Frozen River and Figures," Frans Hals' "Boy with a Glass and Lute," John Everett Millais' "My First Sermon," and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's "La Ghirlandata."

London's Roman Amphitheatre

One of the gallery's unique features is the Roman amphitheatre ruins located beneath it. The Guildhall complex was built on the site of London's Roman amphitheatre, which was discovered during the 1985 redevelopment. Visitors can now view parts of the amphitheatre ruins in situ in the gallery's basement, and appreciate the massive scale of the Roman amphitheatre from the gallery's internal balcony.

Visitor Information

The gallery offers free admission, though booking a general admission ticket is recommended. The gallery displays 150-175 works at any given time, with regular rotation between the gallery, storage, and other external institutions.

Free guided tours are available Tuesday through Sunday at 12:15 PM and 1:15 PM, lasting 30-45 minutes. Visitors can also use the Smartify app on their personal devices to access information about the artworks.

Special Programs and Activities

The gallery offers various educational programs and family activities, including regular life drawing classes, Roman amphitheatre tours, and school programs. A major exhibition featuring Evelyn De Morgan is scheduled to run from April 2025 to January 2026.

The Guildhall Art Gallery serves as a unique cultural space where visitors can simultaneously experience London's rich artistic heritage and Roman-era ruins, playing an important role in preserving and displaying the City of London's...

Another brilliant free activity!

The square is easily missed and is a wonderful open sunny spot on good days enjoyed by those having packed lunches!

Established in the late 19th century it has a mainly Victorian collection of large paintings alongside some interesting ones showing ordinary people doing everyday things under various themes, with a number of choice Pre-Raphaelite items (be aware some are on loan right now Aug 2023 to Tate Britain eg Rossetti exhibition). Currently there's an interesting look at Wrens work best known for St Paul's with his sketches and a big 3D model showing the structure of the famous iconic dome. Wow.

The wide-ranging collection of some 4,500 works- over 1,300 oil paintings, date from 1670 to now with some great choices down the stairs towards the Roman Ampitheatre - yep they found the remains of one in their basement when rebuilding after bombing/fire in WW2: so cool! You can even see preserved wood drainage in parts!

Particularly strong in Victorian items, including some Biblical scenes, the collection also houses important ceremonial and topographical paintings.

it's open Mon to Sun 10:30am to 4pm (Last entry is at 3:45pm)

Free guided tours are run by Guildhall’s team of City Guides, available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:15pm and 1:15pm and are 30-45 minutes. No booking is required for individuals but groups must book in advance.

Main Guildhall rooms are closed and only open once a month on a Sunday (do check when first!) - plus Open House Festival 6-17 September 2023.

An enjoyable hour with shop and several cafes and old...

Leaving the circuit of “main” museums in London is often very rewarding — and Guildhall is so worth the detour or excursion, however one sees it! Though I have to admit going to Guildhall just for the remains of the Roman amphitheater. Went through all the other rooms exhibiting mainly Victorian art without even looking at the walls, straight (though it is the least straight route possible) to the underground of the Gallery — to find quite underwhelmingly humble ruins, especially since some event was sadly scheduled for the day and the space was crammed with boxes and technological paraphernalia and not the least atmospheric, as it is supposed to normally feel. Just then did I go back to the “rest” of the gallery... The dramatic spirituality of William Blake here, Rossetti’s angelic beauties there, and Burne-Jones, Millais... A wonderful collection of pre-Raphaelites, including some huge, epic paintings of prime quality, quite a few show stoppers really — and no noisy crowds to hinder one’s appreciation. Plus views of London across the times... And though I don’t like taking guided tours, am glad staff kindly suggested I take one — for what an amazing guide we had, contagious in her wit and passion for art! Some 45 minutes worth a lifetime of information, that actually felt like only 15 — while I wish had actually...