Tate Britain

Tate Britain, located on Millbank in the City of Westminster, London, is a renowned art museum that houses a substantial collection of British art dating back to the Tudor times. It is part of the Tate network of galleries, which also includes Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St Ives. Established in 1897, it is the oldest gallery in the network and one of the largest museums in the country. The gallery is particularly known for its extensive holdings of works by J. M. W. Turner. The gallery was built on the site of the former Millbank Prison, with construction commencing in 1893. It was initially known as the National Gallery of British Art, but was commonly referred to as the Tate Gallery after its founder, Sir Henry Tate. In 2000, it was officially renamed Tate Britain. The building features a classical portico and dome designed by Sidney R. J. Smith and a central sculpture gallery designed by John Russell Pope. Tate Britain has undergone several renovations, the most recent of which was completed in 2013. The renovation introduced nine new galleries and a new Thames-facing entrance with a spiral staircase beneath its rotunda. The gallery also provides a restaurant, a café, and a Friends room for members of the Tate. The museum is accessible by steps and a ramp for wheelchair access. It also offers regular free tours and short talks on paintings, artists, and artistic styles.