Inspiring locations to visit in London on your art and design tour

London is a fantastic destination for any art and design tour, a city where centuries of history blend with modern culture. For teachers and educators planning an art and design tour to inspire their students, London offers a wide selection of world-class museums, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems.

An educational tour here is an immersive experience that brings a subject to life, giving students an understanding of how the art and design of the past have shaped the way that we learn about these topics today.

 

Why London is an incredible destination for an art and design tour

London's status as a global creative hub makes it a natural choice for an art and design tour. The city can be described as a living textbook, giving students inspiration that no classroom can replicate. London’s unique blend of history and innovation offers a fantastic learning environment, perfectly suited for art and design students.

 

The history of art on every corner

London's history is everywhere, and its art and architecture perfectly display this. Students can see old churches, like St. Paul's Cathedral. This magnificent building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is a key example of old English architecture. Its enormous dome and beautiful stone carvings show the city's ambition after the Great Fire of London.

An art and design tour to London also lets students explore famous Victorian buildings like the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), which is home to a massive collection of art and design. The building itself is an architectural marvel from the Victorian era, with its unique design blending various architectural styles. Inside, the stunning central courtyard features a beautiful glass roof and a giant ceramic fountain, all showcasing the rich and detailed craftsmanship of the period. This fusion of design styles and decorative detail makes the V&A an educational experience in itself.

The tour allows students to see how art has changed over time, going from classic paintings, such as Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" or Leonardo da Vinci's "Virgin of the Rocks”, in the National Gallery to modern sculptures, such as Ai Weiwei's "Sunflower Seeds," (an enormous floor of millions of porcelain seeds), in the Tate Modern's Turbine Hall. This journey helps them understand how the past has shaped the art we see today.

 

Where old meets new

One of the most exciting aspects of art and design in London is its ability to honour the past while looking to the future. You might see a modern gallery inside a historic building, or find new art in an old space. The city's skyline is a perfect example of this. New, radical skyscrapers like The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) and The Shard stand tall next to ancient landmarks like the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral.

This mix shows students how to use old ideas in new ways. An art student might get an idea for a modern painting from a classic style they saw in a gallery. An architect might get inspiration for a new skyscraper from the spires and shapes of a historic church. By seeing all these different styles in the same place, students learn that the past is not just history; it is a resource they can use to create something new and exciting. It encourages them to be creative problem-solvers in their own work.

 

A hotspot for global design

As a major city for global design, London leads in fashion, graphic design, and architecture. An art and design tour to London gives students a chance to see these jobs in action. They can visit the Royal Academy of Arts, which is an independent and privately funded institution led by distinguished artists and architects. Students will be able to see vast collections of paintings, sculptures and drawings, featuring work from Michelangelo himself.

Students can also see the work of global architects who built the city's modern skyline. This experience helps students connect what they learn in class to real-life examples and potential career paths, or they can see the work of global architects who built the city's modern skyline. For example, they can see The Shard, designed by Renzo Piano, or The Gherkin, designed by Norman Foster. This experience helps students connect what they learn in class to real-life examples and potential career paths in architecture, art, and design. 

London is also a major centre for the publishing, advertising, and film industries, all of which rely heavily on design. A visit here can provide valuable context for students interested in a career in any of these creative fields.

 

Five must-see stops while in London on an art and design tour

Planning the perfect art and design tour in London should include a balance of iconic, well-known spots and more specialised, niche locations. Here’s a breakdown of essential locations to consider for your students, each with its own unique educational value.

 

1. The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum

For art and design students, some highlights include the Fashion Gallery, with iconic pieces from historical periods to modern designers. There are also the Cast Courts, where you can see full-size plaster casts of famous sculptures like Michelangelo's David and Trajan's Column.

Other notable objects include the Ardabil Carpet, a 16th-century Persian masterpiece, and Tippoo's Tiger, a mechanical organ depicting a tiger mauling a soldier. The museum also houses the UK's National Art Library, a world-leading resource for the study of fine and decorative arts.

A visit here can easily take several hours, but the V&A offers free tours and talks throughout the day, which are led by experts and can provide a more in-depth look at specific collections or themes. The museum, which is open from 10 am to 5:45 pm daily and until 10 pm on Fridays, also has multiple cafes and a beautiful courtyard garden, offering great spots for a break.

The nearest tube station is South Kensington, which is served by the District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines. From the station, follow the pedestrian subway signposted for the museum, which is about a 5-minute walk.

 

2. The Design Museum

The museum's permanent collection, "Designer, Maker, User," is a great starting point, featuring almost 1,000 items that tell the story of modern design. The collection covers everything from architectural models and furniture to graphic design and fashion. 

A key feature is the opportunity to see prototypes, drawings, and finished products that highlight the entire design process. For instance, you can see a prototype of a Handlebar Table by Jasper Morrison, or a vintage Mobile petrol pump designed by Eliot Noyes. 

The museum's diverse collection also includes more recent pieces like the Nikecraft x Tom Sachs Mars Yards sneakers and the "Kinshasa Label" architectural model by Congolese artist Bodys Isek Kingelez. 

The nearest tube station is High Street Kensington, which is on the District and Circle lines. From the station, it is a 10-minute walk along Kensington High Street. The nearest railway station is Kensington Olympia.

 

3. The London Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum features an extensive collection of historic vehicles, including horse-drawn omnibuses, early Underground trains like the first electric train from 1890, and the iconic red Routemaster bus. 

A key resource for art and design students is the museum's extensive collection of posters and graphic art, which traces the evolution of advertising and branding for the transport network over more than a century. 

The exhibit on the history of the famous Tube map is also a must-see for anyone interested in information design, and the museum's collection holds various versions of the map, including Harry Beck's original 1933 design. 

The museum is located in Covent Garden, making the nearest tube station Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line. Alternatively, you can take a Northern or Piccadilly line train to Leicester Square station and walk from there (about 5 minutes).

 

4. The British Museum

Beyond the Rosetta Stone, the British Museum has an enormous collection of world art and artefacts. For example, you can see the Parthenon Sculptures (also known as the Elgin Marbles), the Lewis Chessmen from the 12th century, and the Sutton Hoo helmet, an incredibly ornate Anglo-Saxon artefact found during a ship burial. 

The museum's vast Egyptian collection, including the mummies, is another major draw. It is also home to a double-headed turquoise mosaic serpent from the Aztec culture, and the "Lindow Man," a preserved body from a British peat bog. 

With over 60 free galleries, it is impossible to see everything in one visit. It's a good idea to plan ahead and focus on a few key areas of interest. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily (and until 8:30 pm on Fridays). 

The nearest tube stations are Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) and Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern lines), both of which are about a 5-minute walk from the museum.

 

5. The National Gallery

The National Gallery includes famous works by Leonardo da Vinci, such as The Virgin of the Rocks, Van Gogh's Sunflowers, and Velázquez's The Rokeby Venus. Art students can also see masterpieces like Jan van Eyck's The Arnolfini Portrait, Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne, and J.M.W. Turner's The Fighting Temeraire. 

Other significant works include Caravaggio's The Supper at Emmaus and Georges Seurat's pointillist masterpiece, Bathers at Asnières. The gallery's collection is arranged chronologically, providing a straightforward journey through art history. 

It is free to enter, but booking a free timed ticket online is highly recommended to guarantee entry and avoid queues. The gallery is open from 10 am to 6 pm every day, and until 9 pm on Fridays.

 

 

Experiencing art and design beyond London's museums

The beauty of an art and design tour in London is that the city itself is a gallery. Stepping outside the museum and into the streets offers a different kind of inspiration, with many high-rise buildings, neighbourhoods full of street art, and even local markets. Students will be able to experience artistic design in these different forms, offering them inspiration that words in a textbook could not. 

 

Street art and creative neighbourhoods

East London's Shoreditch and Brick Lane areas are filled with vibrant street art. A walking tour here is an immersive, dynamic experience that is particularly relevant for students of graphic design, illustration, and urban culture. The art is constantly changing, with new works appearing overnight and old ones being painted over. 

For example, you can see large-scale murals by renowned artists like Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and Invader. There are also works by local artists and collectives, showcasing a wide range of styles from stencils and graffiti to intricate paste-ups and mosaics. 

 

Markets and craft culture

London's many markets are a fantastic resource for an art and design tour. Borough Market is a feast for the senses, but also a great place to study branding and food styling, with its beautifully arranged stalls. 

Camden Market is a hub for alternative fashion and unique craftsmanship, offering students the chance to see and interact with independent designers selling everything from handmade jewellery to customised clothing. 

Columbia Road Flower Market on a Sunday is an explosion of colour and a great spot for sketching and photography, with its overflowing floral displays and vibrant atmosphere. Students can see how stall holders arrange their goods and how different materials and textures are used in the creative process.

 

Iconic architecture and public art

The London skyline tells a story of architectural evolution. An art and design tour can include a walking tour of the City of London to see the contrast between St Paul's Cathedral and the modern skyscrapers like The Gherkin, The Shard, and The Walkie-Talkie.

These buildings represent different eras of design, showing students how historical influences and modern technology have shaped today's landscape. Students can also seek out some of London’s impressive public art installations, such as the famous fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, which hosts a rotating series of contemporary sculptures.

 

 

Planning a seamless art and design tour

While the locations that you will visit on your tour are important, there is a bit more to consider when planning any student tour. To make sure that your tour runs smoothly and effectively, here are some practical tips for lecturers:

• Set clear learning objectives: Before you go, think about what you want your students to learn. Is the goal to study art history, see modern architecture, or get inspired for a new project? This will help you choose the right places to visit.
• Plan your route carefully: London is a big city. Grouping your visits by area (for example, visiting the V&A and Natural History Museum in the same afternoon) will save valuable travel time.
• Book in advance: Many free museums don't require tickets, but some special exhibitions and guided tours do. Always check and book these ahead of time to avoid long queues and disappointment.
• Engage your students: Encourage students to bring sketchbooks or cameras to document what inspires them. Give them specific tasks, like sketching a piece of architecture or writing about a piece of art that they find interesting. This helps them stay focused and engaged with what they're seeing.

 

 

Need help arranging your next art and design student tour to London?

At StudyLink Tours, we understand that every educational trip has a unique purpose. We are specialists in creating bespoke art and design tours that align perfectly with your course modules and learning objectives. From securing group travel and accommodation to arranging private workshops and guided tours, we handle all the details so you can focus on inspiring your students.

Contact our dedicated team today to start planning your perfect art and design tour in London and give your students a trip they will never forget