Bankside Power Station
London
SE1 9TG
Tel: +44 (0)20 7887 8008
The gallery shows international modern art from 1900 to present day - Picasso, Matisse, Dali, and Warhol, plus contemporary works by Gilbert and George. The stunning Turbine Hall runs the length of building, creating a massive exhibition space, designed by Swiss architects Hertzog and de Meuron. There are special exhibitions and also a café with superb views over the River Thames.
When this brick building was originally built the town planners insisted that the central chimney should not outreach to top of St. Paul's Cathedral. This actually ended up preventing the sulphurous smoke from escaping into the upper atmosphere and instead it drifted across the River Thames and ironically attacked the cathedral's exterior. Closed in 1980, it was re-opened as the Tate Modern in summer 2000, after a refurbishment cost of £130 million.Open: daily
Admission: free
Nearest tube station: Southwark
