Royal Academy of Arts
An art institution founded in 1768 at Burlington House on Piccadilly, run by and for working artists rather than a state collection, and still home to the Summer Exhibition.
- Museum
- Price: ££ · Mid-range
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Did you know
The Summer Exhibition has run every year without interruption since 1769, making it the world's oldest open-submission art show. Anyone can enter, not just Royal Academicians, and selected works hang alongside theirs.
Local tip
Time a visit around "Varnishing Day" if you want the full tradition. It's the day artists historically added a final coat of varnish to their hung paintings before a procession to St James's Church next door.
Finding it
- Address
- Piccadilly, St. James's, Westminster, Mayfair, City of Westminster, Greater London, England, W1J 0BD
- Nearest station
- Green Park (Tube), 348 m away
Details change, so check with the place before you set off.
More places nearby
- Burlington ArcadeA covered Regency shopping arcade of jewellers and boutiques opened in 1819, still kept in order by beadles in top hats and frock coats.
- The Cuckoo ClubA two-floor Mayfair nightclub on Swallow Street, with a restaurant/lounge upstairs and a dancefloor below, entry via guestlist or table booking rather than membership.
- HatchardsA five-floor Georgian bookshop on Piccadilly, founded in 1797, with mahogany tables, shelves of signed editions and royal warrants from the King and Queen.
- Fortnum & MasonA Piccadilly grocer and department store founded in 1707, known for its food hall, hampers and afternoon tea, and for a facade clock with bowing founders.