Royal Academy of Arts

Reviews, get directions and contact details for Royal Academy of Arts

Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0BD, UK

Phone: 020 7300 8090

Website

State: Greater London

City: London

Zip Code: W1J 0BD

opening times

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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Reviews

I've been to the RA quite a few times, it has always been welcoming and interesting. The prices aren't ridiculous, and the café and toilets have always been good. Just going into the front courtyard is a wow. There is a subterranean route from the building on Piccadilly to the building on Burlington Gardens, which is lined with sculpture/casts route is closed until mid-2027. Well worth a visit, even if like me you don't know much about art.

What a wonderfully lively and vibrant place. I only visited the free galleries, and even that alone made for an immensely enjoyable experience. The atmosphere is energetic without feeling overwhelming, and it's very easy to lose track of time wandering through the exhibitions. The gallery shop is excellent as well, particularly if you're looking for artistic memorabilia, exhibition-related keepsakes, or beautifully designed gifts.

The building itself is remarkable—an inspiring setting for the exhibition of Rose Wylie. Her work is striking in its immediacy and honesty. At 85, Wylie continues to work actively from her studio in Kent, producing paintings that embrace a deliberately raw, almost childlike visual language. Beneath this simplicity lies a deeply reflective practice: her canvases draw on memories spanning from the Second World War to the present day, blending personal recollection with imagery sourced from films, newspapers, television, and the internet.nnBeyond this exhibition, the institution offers a rich journey through art history, with galleries that thoughtfully present works from the 17th century onward. Particularly compelling is the presentation of works by Royal Academy students—an exceptionally selective programme that admits only 17 postgraduate artists each year—offering insight into emerging contemporary practices.nnAnd, of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at the shop, a destination in its own right.

An exceptional façade where architecture and intellectual symbolism are brought into precise alignment. The building stands out not only for its classical composition—arched windows, strong cornices, and finely articulated columns—but for the way it integrates sculpture as an essential part of its identity.nnWhat makes this façade particularly compelling is the series of statues set within its structure. Figures such as Newton, Locke, Adam Smith, and Milton are not merely decorative—they form a deliberate narrative, linking art to science, philosophy, and broader cultural thought. This elevates the building beyond a traditional gallery into something more conceptually complete.nnThe execution is meticulous. Deep-set niches, balanced proportions, and detailed stonework create a strong sense of depth and rhythm. Light interacts beautifully with the surface, revealing layers of craftsmanship that reward closer observation.nnDespite its richness, the composition remains controlled and coherent. Nothing feels excessive; every element contributes to a unified architectural language.nnA building that communicates not only through form, but through ideas—measured, confident, and intellectually grounded.

Visited RA at the weekend to see the Kerry James Marshall exhibition, The Histories. Absolutely mesmerising!nnThe RA was the perfect location as it could accommodate all of the art - there was so much to see! Now I'm no stranger to KJM, he is one of my favourite artists but to be up close to such epic large scale paintings was mind blowing.nnThere was 70 works to see, his largest exhibition outside of the US, and probably the first chance for many in the UK to see too.nnVivid, powerful paintings that were full of references which spanned civil rights and art history.nnSo glad I made the time to see this exhibition - very moving and memorable.

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Royal Academy of Arts

Reviews, get directions and contact details for Royal Academy of Arts

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