3+3+London: Royal Academy of Arts
Wheelchair Accessibility:
Yes
Operating Hours:Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00. Friday: 10:00 - 21:00. Monday: Closed
The Vibe:Britain's oldest art society, still making news.
Founded in 1768 by King George III, the Royal Academy occupies Burlington House on Piccadilly — Britain's oldest independent art institution. Unlike the national museums, it is run by artists for artists, with exhibitions often provocative, scholarly or both.
The courtyard's bronze statues of Joshua Reynolds preside over arriving visitors; the Sackler Wing's ceiling soars above Georgian proportions. Voices echo in the galleries; temporary exhibitions dominate the programme.
- • Britain's oldest independent art society, founded in 1768 by King George III
- • The annual Summer Exhibition has run continuously since 1769 — the world's oldest open-submission art show
- • Based in Burlington House, a 17th-century mansion on Piccadilly
- • Run by Royal Academicians — artists elected by their peers for life
Fit For
- 👨👩👧 Families: Summer Exhibition's scale and variety engage older children
- 💕 Couples: Friday late openings with gallery bars and live music
- 👵 Seniors: Full step-free access; manageable exhibition scale
- 📸 Photographers: Burlington Courtyard and the Sackler Wing's soaring architecture
Highlights
- Summer Exhibition — June to August, 1,000+ works including works by the public
- Courtauld's Michelangelo relief — the Taddei Tondo, only Michelangelo marble in Britain
- Sackler Wing — ornate 19th-century galleries for blockbuster shows
- RA Schools — Britain's oldest art school, occasional open studios
- Weston Bridge — 2018 extension linking Burlington House to new galleries on Burlington Gardens
- Keeper's House — members' restaurant, occasionally open to the public — Hidden Gem
London Local Expert
Sarah Riches
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