Royal Academy of Arts

A thoroughly enjoyable few hours looking at a huge and varied exhibition. The range of art on display was brilliant, sculptures, paintings, photographs, architectural designs, collages to name a few. Intriguing and thought provoking and beautifully put together. Loved it!

This is one of my favourite places on earth. I recently visited the summer exhibition with friends this year and I will go again with family members. This is a unique space that has propelled the expression of human art and experience from past, present and future for all. Such a beautiful place, what an incredible environment. With insanely hard working people and dedicated minds leading these feats of artistic display.

Walking into the Royal Academy of Arts felt like entering a sanctuary for serious art lovers. Located in the heart of Piccadilly, it's one of those places where history, grandeur, and creativity meet in the most seamless way. The building itself is breathtaking – neoclassical architecture with just the right balance of elegance and austerity. The courtyard alone is worth pausing in, often home to intriguing sculptures or installations that set the tone for what's inside. Once inside, I found the galleries to be beautifully lit and thoughtfully curated. There’s something about the way the rooms unfold that makes each exhibit feel like its own journey, yet still connected to a broader artistic narrative. I visited during one of their temporary exhibitions and was impressed by the calibre and variety of works on display – both historic and contemporary, each piece given room to breathe. What I particularly appreciated was how the RA encourages engagement without overwhelming you. The interpretive material is informative but not overly academic, and the atmosphere is inviting whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or just curious. The permanent collection – small but potent – offers a glimpse into British art history, and the Academicians’ work showcases a blend of tradition and experimentation that keeps the space feeling alive. I also have to give a nod to the café and shop. The café had a calm, almost contemplative vibe – perfect for taking a breather and reflecting. The shop was a well-curated mix of art books, prints, and creative gifts, not just the usual tourist fare. Overall, the Royal Academy of Arts delivers a refined yet welcoming cultural experience. It's a place I’d happily return to – not just for the art, but for the feeling of being somewhere that truly values creativity and dialogue.

It’s a beautiful museum, but there aren’t many exhibits on display. It’s a relatively small museum, and there’s an extra paid section (which I didn’t go into). There’s also a café inside

It is always a treat to visit the Royal Academy as their curation of art is second to none. The Brazil Exhibit was limited only by the mediocre art, but the RA itself looked great. One of London’s great galleries.

The Royal Academy of Arts in London is an absolute treasure and a must-visit for art lovers. From the moment you step inside, you’re surrounded by an inspiring atmosphere that blends history with creativity. The building itself is beautiful, with its grand architecture and spacious galleries that provide the perfect setting to appreciate the art on display. The exhibitions are always thoughtfully curated, showcasing a mix of classic and contemporary works. Whether it’s famous masterpieces or cutting-edge modern art, there’s something here to suit everyone’s taste. I especially appreciated how well the information about the pieces was presented—it’s easy to learn about the artists and their work without feeling overwhelmed. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, always happy to answer questions or point you in the right direction. The flow of the galleries is well-organized, allowing you to enjoy the art at your own pace without feeling rushed. The Academy also has a fantastic shop with unique art-inspired items and a lovely café that’s perfect for a break. It’s a great place to reflect on the experience or simply enjoy a coffee in a creative setting. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or just curious about exploring, the Royal Academy offers an unforgettable experience. Its mix of stunning art, historical charm, and modern touches make it one of London’s best cultural spots. Highly recommend visiting—it’s worth every moment!

Storied art institution with always interesting exhibitions. I loved the current exhibition on Brazilian modernism which shines a light on a neglected part of modern art history (at least outside Brazil).

First time , spent about 40 mins . I found it quite divided - very abstract modern and then straight into Renaissance. Nothing in between - unless I missed it😂😂 I enjoyed the sketch books and the pic below was my fav . Staff very kind - shop super expensive . Areas restricted for students only. Not the best experience but I’m going again to see if I can take a different perspective

While waiting in line to purchase tickets to the Royal Academy of Arts someone asked if they could help prompting me to ask whether a ticket purchase was required in order to see the free exhibits. It was not. She gave me a flyer and identified the exhibits I could see for free and off I went. But as I walked and viewed the flyer I noticed one thing: every single free exhibit listed had either already closed or had not yet opened. I stopped another staffer on the stairway to ask if I was reading the flyer correctly. She too looked at it and agreed, sorrowfully. It was a bad time to visit the Royal Academy of Arts. I'd hoped to view the student art but that exhibit had ended. I was pointed to a few areas where I could view some art but they were neither interesting nor compelling and I couldn't muster much excitement for what I could see of the paid exhibits. I'd come back to the Royal Academy of Arts when the student exhibit is in progress. Other than that I'd not bother. I was in an out within 40 minutes and that's stretching it. My experience would have differed had the student show been on so this review is really just my way of telling you this: Check the schedule before making a trip to the Royal Academy of Arts. If the student show isn't on (because this is, after all, an art school), don't bother coming. Sure, you can pay to see some other exhibits or walk through the things here that are free but London is chock-full of excellent museums with no entry fee and, assuming your time is limited, this one will just take away from your time at the those ones.

My very kind & generous sister treated us to lunch at The Keeper's House restaurant located on the grounds of this lovely place. Afterward we went to the Oceania exhibition which was really fascinating. From historic to contemporary, there was plenty to see. There are about 200 artifacts that range over a 500 year span. From shell, greenstone and ceramic ornaments, to huge canoes and stunning god images, you travel from room to room mesmerized by the craftsmanship & artistry. Please note that there are some human remains used in some of the displays. Really fascinating! The academy is based in the Burlington House which used to be the private residence of the Earl of Burlington. It's absolutely gorgeous! The institution is an independent & privately funded which got us the reservation at The Keeper's House. While this is not the usual museum or art gallery, this place is worth the trip.

Trip to London had fantastic time at this Museum with our Brit friend Richard who is a member ! We had a bit of tea with scones and clotted cream !! So delicious ! It was a rainy day but well Worth the trip ! Then headed off to dinner at Shampers on Knightly street !

I recently began frequenting the RA as my AMEX card allows me into exhibitions for free. And boy am I glad of it! The RA's last few exhibitions have more than met my expectations -- from Ai Wei Wei to Liotard to Monet. The spectrum of art that the Academy covers is extensive, making it accessible and likeable by many. Also, each exhibition is beyond rich, so much so that I'm needing to go back to see the Monet exhibition once more to be able to take it all in. Says a lot about the substance of the RA's exhibitions and curation skills. I also appreciate the cozy ambience. Not too big and yet not too small, the venue is perfect for a 1.5-2hr excursion without it being too exhausting. Last but not least, I find the location ideal. Situated across from Green Park, you can enjoy a day in the park afterward if you'd like, or pop by a nice restaurant for a posh meal. Otherwise, you can go across the street for some window shopping at Fortnum and Mason. It's less than 5min walk from the tube too. The RA has become my favourite playground for sure.

Wasn't a huge fan of the RA. I was here at a time between some of the larger free exhibits, so there really wasn't much to see other than the art for sale in the cafe walls, a small photo set, and 1930s American painting exhibit that you had to pay for. After some deliberation, I decided to bite the bullet and pay for the exhibit (£12.50). That said, it was well curated and they added some fun features like a photobooth where you could put on clothes and act as the American Gothic couple.

Royal Academy of Arts has two sites next to each other: the Piccadilly site and the Burlington Garden site. Even though they are very closely located, they aren't connected to each other. However I heard this will be changed in 2015. I went for the Allen Jones exhibition and it was really interesting. Besides the exhibtion there are a few nice dining options from cafes to restaurants. However this is not a gallery like the National Gallery, where there are large permanent collections. Usually there are 2 or 3 specific exhibitions going on at a time but you probably wouldn't spend all day in it. It is at an ideal location though. My preferred itinerary is to have early afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, pop in here for an exhibition, then check out the beautiful arcades near here.

We went to check out the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy. On walking into the courtyard, you are greeted by The Dappled Light of the Sun by Conrad Shawcross - a weathering steel cloud effect. As we entered the foyer, we saw the wonderful colorful staircase by Jim Lambie - with an intriguing arrow guiding you up to the exhibition! The polycarbonate and stainless steel coloured figure by Matthew Darbyshire welcomes you into the rotunda as you venture on your exploration of the Summer Exhibition. On entering the adjacent room, your eyes are drawn towards the artwork created by Paul Hosking titled Mimic - mirrored acrylic on aluminium. Though our favourite pieces were the fantastic Buddha and Sunimi coat hanger creations by David Mach. The Summer Exhibition had amazing creations on display!

The Royal Academy and the Abstract Expressionism exhibit was one of the highlights of my recent tip to London with my parents. It's a lovely museum centrally located with a space perfect for showcasing works of art. The Abstract Expressionism exhibit was fantastic and featured large works of art by artists such as Jackson Pollack, Willem de Kooning, Gorky, Mark Rothko and more. A number of the works of art are very large in scale and the museum space is perfect for viewing. It was one of the highlights of my trip to London. If you have a chance to visit the museum and Abstract Expressionism exhibit, I would highly recommend it.

Went to see the Abstract Expressionism exhibition, what a treat! An absolute must of exhibition, they have put together superb artists and works of art which make a good analysis of this art period. I generally love the exhibitions at the Royal Academy. Not to be missed!

As you may noticed I'm a big fan of art and art fairs. The Royal Academy is one of many art galleries in central London and provides more art and culture to the city. They normally have around two to three different exhibitions on at any time. Themes can vary massively, but mostly concentrate on 19th Century art. Most of them cost between £7 to £12. One of their main exhibitions (and a favourit of mine) is the annually Summer Exhibition, which allows normal people (non professional artist) to present their pictures and be displayed in the main galleries. I can only assume that the competition for spots is rather fierce. I love the Summer Exhibition as it shows the wide variety of everyday art next to the conceptional pieces of long established artist. It also has a room dedicated to architecture, which presents models next to drawings and concept ideas.

I generally prefer weird and funky underground venues hidden down dark alleys, but the Royal Academy just is THE institution for arts and as such attracts massive crowds for big name shows, you can imagine the queues for the likes of Chagall, Manet or Rubens. More edgy shows like Sensation during the height of the YBA, or most recently Allen Jones make for an exciting mix of young and old - both in terms of the artists as in members of the audience. The building and its impressive courtyard just off Piccadilly are worth a visit in their own right. I've recently decided to take out membership which allows you to jump the queues and exclusive access to its members cafe - always a good selling point.

Love this place. The Summer Exhibition is a really interesting annual art exhibition, where you can see thousands of exciting new contemporary artwork from old and new talent, chosen by The Royal Academy, which you can also buy, and thus own an original work of art by up and coming talents! All the artwork is stimulating and a really enjoyable day out. Be a member or befriend a member to get free entry into all the exhibitions and the Keeper's House, a space for members to unwind and have refreshments.

A friend who is local to London had suggested we check out the summer exhibition. My friend had a membership to the RA so I was able to get into the museum for free, which was a nice bonus. This exhibition has been a long-standing tradition and tends to fetch quite a crowd. It runs for most of the summer, so if you are visiting during the timing of this exhibit, I would suggest making an effort to visit. The exhibit includes works from Royal Academicians as well as amateur artists. A ton of works are submitted and about 1500 were on display (and many of which are for sale). You can buy a book which has a listing of the titles, artist, and price. Some prices are quite affordable and there are also works that are on sale for hundreds of thousands of pounds. There are definitely some cheeky items in there (there are a few NSFW type items). That said, it's a great opportunity to roam around and appreciate someone's take on art. There are definitely some humorous items in there, but also several thought-provoking and powerful pieces. Are you thirsty while looking at all this art? Feel free to grab a beverage (glass of sparkling wine, etc) from bars that are scattered throughout. In terms of the building itself, it's quite stunning. There's also a nice courtyard if you want to hang out with a snack or beverage from the cafe.

Very nice location and interesting exhibitions. I've visited the exhibition on Monnet (loved the giant tryptique), good comments and nicely arranged.

The Al Weiwei 56 hours craze was my first experience with RAA and I loved it. Any gallery that can pull that kind of event so smoothly deserves five stars and a watchful eye for what it will come up with next. (I mean, sure. It's the Royal Academy of Arts, I guess it is no surprise it comes up with great things, as far as artistic content is concerned. But what I mean is that pulling off such a playful and well flowing special event definitely puts RAA on my 'places to do exciting things in London' list.) So here is the deal. The Al Weiwei exhibit was so popular that for the last weekend, the RAA stayed open for 56 hours straight, night and day. I reserved a slot for 11:30 pm, but was pleased to see that the times were rather indicative and there was no issue with me coming a bit later. I ended up using the gallery space between midnight and 2 am and loved how despite the late time of the day, the staff everywhere starting from the ticket and cloakroom guys all the way to the exhibit guides was ever so helpful, cheerful and organised. They really upped the atmosphere a notch and made me feel like we were all sharing some great special sleepover experience. The cafe was open all night long and served some decent cakes and good selection of drinks much needed for energy restoration. I really appreciated how the exhibit itself was perfectly organised - the e-guides provided with each ticket gave really excellent background on the curating process and the art pieces, and definitely helped me gain a whole lot more from the experience. The RAA also just didn't bank on the artist's popularity and the novelty of being open all night to get the people in - the whole night and weekend were packed with talks, performances and events to give the exhibit a really proper send off. RAA is housed in a stunning building with imposing traditional interiors which provide a lovely backdrop against some of the very modern art on exhibit. I particularly appreciated being able to enjoy the contemplative atmosphere of the large space and the full arrangement during the night hours without the distraction of too many visitors. So if you can, I recommend getting there during the off peak hours too to get the best out of your experience. I hope this is not the last late opening like this - what a perfect concept for a city which truly never sleeps! Hopefully we shall see it again.

Classy .. but membership prices reflect this I used to be a member & adore the members' room for coffee; great place to hang out with a friend. I went there to see my old mate Frank Bowling's show the first black RA shame on the whole art establishment for not promoting our black artists sooner. Stephen Fry says I do not think there is a more pleasurable or fulfilling thing to be, than a Friend of the Royal Academy. I am passionate about the Royal Academy and think it stands for all the very best in British cultural life

I love it here. Amazing building. Amazing interiors. Amazing rooms and entrance. Matched by the numerous exhibitions I've been to. I really should become a friend of the royal academy. Just seen the Sensing Spaces exhibition/installations incredible.

I am a philistine, a heathen, an uncultured lout of epic proportions, After living here for several years I had no idea that this place even existed. I cam here for the David Hockney exhibition and the scale of the place is simply mindblowing, The exhibition had floor to ceiling prices with whole walls being covered by painting from the master, many painting using the iPad (I can hardly touch the screen on one correctly!) It seems I have grown too used to the easy and free world class art that London has to offer and missed out on this place. I shall now vow to be less cheap in my art appreciation.

"He fills his head with culture, He gives himself an ulcer." Whilst living out my pretenshush art school fantasies, I ventured to some London galleries. Directly across from the royal tea and crumpet shop aka Fortnum and Mason (Schnobz R Us) lies the Royal Academy of Arts. And by that, they mean Art Snob Academy. Upon first entering one must walk through a crowd of schnobbies sitting out front sippin' caffè and reading scholarly literature (pronounced lit-cha-shore). Then one must walk up the stairs, wondering, "Where the bloody hell is the art?" Finally one will be confronted with busts of old blokes sitting around wearing wigs and the like, blokes who obvi liked to have their pretty portraits taken by royal artists. Nothing special. Before being immersed in anything of merit, one comes across the store where one can buy reproductions of royal art! They wanted to charge me crazy ££££ for a special exhibit I wasn't that interested in, and being that I was already put off by walking up the stairs to what was sure to be a gallery but turned out to be a store next to, oh great! Another store! I bounced out and never came back... But you can get something out of every gallery and Benjamin West's PRA (whatever that means), 'Bladud in Exile', was an excellent illustration of a scientific achievement: man discovering that bathing can be healing. I have to admit Benjamin West's shizzle was good, for the boring style they dig at Royal Schnobberie. Overall a disappointing gallery experience although according to other reviews I missed the bulk of what the academy has to offer. PS: To the chick w/ the Karen O hairstyle smoking a fag & reading Hemingway out front: yeah yeah yeah, sure you look hot, but my gosh don't u just know it? See the Benjamin West I referred to here: (http://www.tiny.cc/schnob)

Disagreeing with almost every single review, I had a pretty awful experience here this morning. We turned up pretty much on the dot (10am opening), and went straight in. My Mum and I quite often go to galleries in London as a last-minute outings planned the night before. Issue number one. We asked for a map from the woman at the 'information 'desk and were told that the best one was on the wall. Ok, they're saving paper and all that. It wasn't really very clear, but up we went to explore, assuming that we'd find our way. We went in to the John Madjeski Fine Rooms and started wandering through when one of the staff burst in and stared at us. "Hello?" we both said. "We're closed" he said. Oh, er, ok. We walked back into the main corridor in a rather uncomfortable silence. The fact that the doors were all unlocked, several other members of staff had said nothing to us as we'd walked in, and there was no sign to say it was closed - seemed irrelevant. No apologies, just a very curt chaperoned march out of the room. Our mistake, sure, but this guy's attitude was ridiculous. No matter, we looked round the shop and went back downstairs to try again. We asked the information lady, again, to which my Mum was faced with what I can only describe as an inappropriate amount of contempt by the same woman. Hardly helpful. We looked at the photography exhibition showing London as it was a few hundred years ago, then back out to buy tickets eventually for Paul Sandby as we realised that there wasn't much else to see. Upon getting upstairs, the two women at the front desk didn't smile, look at us or even stop their conversation. But by that point, we weren't surprised. The saving grace is that the work was beautiful. Sandby's attention to detail is breathtaking, but unless I was going to see one exhibition an then make a swift exit, I won't be returning. I didn't like the snobbish attitude from the front desk when we enquired as to which exhibitions were free, and the entire place reeked of false superiority. Give me the Tate any day.

I treat RA more of an Academy than a gallery. It taught me so much beyond the appreciation of art - a life-long learning. Often the seminar/curator talks are available online (audio/video) so that I can delve into post/prior to the related exhibition. The Constables or the Michelangelo are often missed along with other permanent collections as we are stunned by the major exhibitions from Miró, Calder, Giacometti, Braque, Byzantium, Anish Kapoor to the most recent Real Van Gogh, my favourite so far. I feel special connection with Vincent for many reasons, in particular his 2 Starry Nights (separately in Musée d'Orsay and MoMA). The Real Van Gogh demonstrates a total opposite human life he vividly drew and wrote letters on. From the peasant in action to the Dutch landscape, I felt closer to his great mind and love of nature. "There's the art of lines and colours, but there's the art of words that will last just the same." During the London Jazz Festival, the Reynolds Room was completed occupied by the unconventional and energetic tight interplay and melodic invention. Live music is around in the Academy, often lunch time free concerts with Royal College of Music. Always a student at the Academy :)

This review is most specifically for the summer exhibition but we also included the Joseph Cornell in the same trip. I am not known to favour large institutions over edgier venues but I Love Joseph Cornell so a visit was a no brainer during out staycation in London. We viewed the summer exhibition first and I found it such a refreshing change to standard exhibitions. The walls were brightly coloured and the works were a punchy collection with the rooms displaying works that resonated with each other in either form or subject. The entrance of the stripey steps is beguiling as you go to enter and the central room really packs a punch (probably the biggest of the lot) with an interesting yet identifiable collection of modern art. The other rooms are great but a lesser version of the entrance. We loved the catalogue and viewing the price of the works we really liked and imagining in a parallel universe that we would buy the cheaper ones at around £700, then we laughed, 'yeah right!'. But, this was more than I ever expected from the summer exhibition and I salute the curator. The Joseph Cornell was also good but it turns out I much prefer the pics of his work that offer a more 2D ambiance and strangely different take on it, who knew!!? It was also very cold which I'm not a fan of! If you like art then worth a visit, if you don't get art then worth a visit for an interesting overview.

If the queues are long go to the front and become a Friend of the Royal Academy. This is an annual membership but not wildly expensive. If you're visiting the UK and want to see a true British institution become a Friend and go and have a cup of tea in the Friend's room. Sit and watch!

I discovered that I am middle aged at the RA. The precise moment being when I was staring at the pigment bombed corner at the Anish Kapoor exhibition and wondered how on earth they were going to scrape all that dried up paint off the wall and though absolutely mind- bogglingly amazing, how messy it all was. The RA simply surpasses other museums in terms of the quality of their shows. From the curatorially interesting (Matisse and his textiles, one of the very few exhibitions that had an argument to it) to the historical (the chinese exhibitions in recent years which brought artifacts that has never left china) to the sheer audacious (Anish Kapoor, paint anyone?) to the multi- faceted and voluminous summer exhibitions; the RA aims to push the boundaries of what has been achieved and can be achieved. I have to give them 5 stars just for the amazing and inspirational work of the curatorial staff. Oh and the other people who work there are nice and helpful too. And their membership card is of great value. And their quarterly magazines makes interesting reads in the bathroom. And they share the same abbreviation of the cool RA music people in Australia.

2015 is my year of culture, don'tcha know. And so with my guides in the form of long time London friends I went to the summer exhibition at the RA. Two very pleasant hours were spent pretending to be a lot richer than I am, judging by all the artwork I wanted and liked the most I have expensive tastes, however by my lack of skill in guessing the price of what I like I clearly wasn't aware of how expensive my tastes are. No wonder I can't afford the food or anything from the gift shop at the academy. Loved the artwork on the stairs, really enjoyed the exhibition. Never going to be able to afford to buy any art that isn't from ikea.

The RA does some very interesting things- the curation is fascinating, they take on challenges, and they're not in the game to pick the best, brightest, or biggest of anything. Inside of a brilliant building they've managed to find their niche as an artistic building with major and minor exhibitions, and always something fasctinating. Well worth a visit.

Saw the Anselm Kiefer exhibit today. It is a massive collection, many pieces I didn't see when sfmoma had an exhibit a few years ago. And when you approach the entrance there is a sculpture collection he did in 2007 of submarines that is incredible. Even if you are just walking by, take a few minutes and check our the free submarine installation. Inside the first piece is another sculpture of a pile of books and panels that has wings. Seriously, the magnitude of his work is inspiring. The longer room explanations do a really great job of telling his perspective of his work. So read them, you will see so much more in the work. They didn't glance o the surface, they really went with what he thinks of his work, what it means. And then stare. Work it out. Let the sensory morph into emotion and then into your being. It happens if you let it. Not many artists can do that for me, but he is one. I wrote three poems while I was there, that is how moved I was. I stopped and stared and wrote.

A bastion of British art for centuries, some of Britain's best artists have come out of this pretty special place. The exhibitions here are incredibly varied and always interesting. There's traditional 19th Century fare with recent excellent Degas and Manet shows; a mammoth exhibition on Bronze stretching pretty much all of human history; and of course the (in)famous Sensation übercontroverscandal in 1997. A dirty bed with used condoms, a huge portrait of Myra Hindley in children's handprints, a frozen head of blood: what's not to love/be incensed about? The Royal Academy manages to swing between being stuffy establishment and almost needlessly provocative, and I kind of love that. My one reservation is these two opposing characteristics can make the place seem quite pretentious, and it seems to be a place for people in the know. Also the tickets can be pretty pricey unless you have a membership. And I never ever borrow my friend's card to get in for free. No sir, never. The most recent exhibition I saw here was Inside Out, a look at the architecture of Sir Richard Rogers, with the original models of the Lloyds Building and the Pompidou Centre. I'm sure Prince Charles will not be attending but I certainly enjoyed it.

I love the summer show at the RAC, you will see every kind of art you can imagine, you won't like it all, but you will like some of it. The space lends itself to exhibiting some amazing things, and I really feel it is worth seeing as much as you can here, also if you get the chance have a bit of a wonder as there are some lovely hidden sculptures in corridors around the building itself. The staff are lovely and professional and the cafe is very good too. Well worth a visit if you are in London, and quite frankly I would make it here for a day trip too.

Well the great thing about London is that most of the museums are free, making art accessible to everybody who wants to experience it. However the exhibitions at the Royal Academy are not always free, and they are always changing so its best to monitor the website for specific events you might want to attend. This autumn season boasts 20 art exhibitions, 40 Live events, and 100 film screenings. How anyone could ever be bored in London is beyond me. The best thing about the Royal Academy are the monumentally enormous sculptures that are in front of the building on a daily but changing basis. The Royal Academy is well worth a visit if you are already in the Piccadilly area.

I went here today just to have a look around and the building is so beautiful. It is a bit of a maze inside and for some reason i kept ending up back in the cafe all the time but thats probably just me. I didn't go to the Miró, Calder, Giacometti and Braque exhibition due to financial constraints as it is £7 for a student, pretty pricey. SOme parts of the gallery are free though so I walked around those and took in the amazing interiors of Burlington house. Although I wasn't able to find it inside(again; very poor internal compass) from the main courtyard with your back to piccadilly, look into the rooms upstairs on the right and you'll see the hugest library ever. They have old school library ladders, little wooden winding stairs and millions of ancient looking books. It's straight out of a Harry Potter book.

The Roay Academy is a beautiful building, I am not too sure when it was built but it looks very old, with beautiful standing in the middle of the entrance. I have been to the academy on a few occasions, as they change their exhibitions regularly. My favourite trip here was When I got to see the history of the Ottoman Empire, partiially my favourite due to my heritage, but either way, it was spectacular! It was the first time in history that so much historic artifact was put together for the Ottomans and I was well aware of people travelling from Turkey to see the exhibition, it was amazing. We had head-phones taking us through each room, which come at a small cost, but I highly recomend them as you will learn a lot more as the recorded infromation is extremely informative. They are currently exhibing the Byzantium, something that I really am looking forward to seeing. They put on the best exhibitions in the world here, tickets may cost £10 or over, but it is more than worth it.

The Royal Academy is a great art gallery, bang in the centre of town, a real sense of history in the architecture and most of the great British artists of the past have either been made Royal Academicians or have had their noses put firmly out of joint by not being made one. The permanent collection is interesting and contains some great works amongst quite a lot of lesser known and maybe less popular sculpture and portraiture, as well as some later rooms focussing on turn-of-the-century European stuff. It's the temporary exhibitions that are most interesting though as they tackle a really broad range of subjects, some quite blockbuster and some much more obscure. The works from the Maeght Collection are currently on display, including Picasso, Miro and other of their contemporaries and they hold the summer exhibition each year which is worth visiting for the sheer scope and variety of the entries and their quality.

The Royal Academy of Arts is the place to be if you are a budding artist (although a lot of famous English artists have either been kicked out or never allowed to enter the Academy). The Academy is an imposing building along Piccadilly which itself is a wonderful example of architecture in London. Every year the Royal Academy of Arts hosts the Summer Exhibition which allows anyone to submit works for public exhibition (many more are entered than are exhibited). It truly is a unique experience as you get the chance to see work from well known, renowned artists; alongside work from members of the public. You can also take your wallet along as you can walk away with some art from the Summer Exhibition.

This is one of the finest art establishments in the country. Something for us Brits to be really proud of. It is simply a pleasure to behold the building and then that informs the whole experience. I've been coming here since I was knee high to a grass-hopper and it's a real treat to visit. And what could be nicer than tea at Fortnum's afterwards. Oo! That's a nice idea.

Well, the evening started badly, with a quick bite to eat in the Friends cafe. Was charged £9.50 for a very small luke warm chicken pie plus about £3 for an even colder cup of coffee, which they promised to change, then forgot about me, despite the place being practically empty. The staff are not very competent and clearly have no interest in the 'Friends' who I gather pay about £90 per year for the privilege. Round at the other site (Burlington Gardens) it was a completely different story, with lavish hospitality and highly trained catering staff at the launch of Lankaran Forest, a new Azeri-inspired perfume. It certainly is a beautiful building and the exhibit of a real forest inside a small room must have taken considerable resource and skill to set up. Didn't have enough time to visit the Rubens exhibition unfortunately.

I must say that the first surprise was the fact that the Royal Academy is a charity, the second was how beautiful it is and the third was the brilliant offers they have going on. At the moment there is a Russian exhibition on, the greatest Russian artists...definitely a must see. I would also recommend to anyone to become a 'friend of the royal academy of arts'. if you are up to 25 it costs only £35 (the rest £95) a year and you get to go anytime you want for free and also your guest (absolutely bargain considering that one ticket to see something costs around £12).

Good Points: Wonderful guide and excellent exhibitions. Bad Points: none Visited London last summer to see the Summer exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. Had a wonderful day at the gallery. The show was a high quality with a real mix of talent some good, some fantastic and some different. Went on a tour of the upper gallery which was really interesting and informative. The guide made the whole day with his explanation of work by Monet and other leading artists. Will be going back again this summer to see the 2008 exhibition.

I'm fortunate that I know someone who's a member of the Royal Academy so I go with them and don't have to pay, I'm not sure I would go there otherwise as it would be too expensive. To be fair they've usually got a free exhibition going on, but it's the touring exhibitions that have all the glamour; in the past year I've gazed appreciatively at ancient treasures and beautiful artefacts from across the world. The building itself is impressive and there is usually a sculpture or installation in the courtyard, if you're in Piccadilly it's worth wandering into the courtyard to have a look. The gift shop always has some interesting items although the prices are often eyebrow-raising.

A world-class art gallery, and working school of art, housed in a fine Palladian style building, with a few other Royal Societies situated around the courtyard. The Exhibitions themselves vary between many different periods, styles, movements and formats. They change a few times a year, and usually have one to for exhibitions on at any one time, along with permanent collections, and numerous art-fairs throughout the year, including the famous Summer Exhibition. There is a Restaurant and Cafe open to members of the public, that serve decent food at reasonable prices, and a Members cafe and restaurant which you can only access by being a member, or going in with a member, the food here is different from that served in the public eateries, and is just as good, if not better. It is well-worth paying the membership fee to become a friend of the Royal Academy, as it allows for free entry to any exhibition that is on at the Royal Academy, discounts, private viewings, and events only bookable through being a member. The Royal Academy really helps make a good day out in London great, and due to its close proximity to other attractions, can be visited with others on the same day.

I will not presume to comment on the art. Great place for outdoor pondering in Summer especially if you're meeting someone. Start with coffeee and then who knows?

It's always a pleasure to come to the Royal Academy of Arts! The building with its tranquil courtyard puts you in the mood for experiencing some of the greatest art collection in the world, and the inside galleries are spacious with great lighting! Absolutely love it!

Amazing architecture and one of the finest art establishment in London. The membership is rather pricey but I guess you pay for the location. I came here a couple of times, the latest being to see Hockney exhibition. Despite the 45mn queue (and I guess we were lucky enough to come at 10pm, some people had to queue for 3h during the day), I always have a great experience visiting this place.

The RA is a veritable institution that hosts some of the best exhibitions in town but unlike other galleries has no permanent collection of its own. There are two galleries, firstly what are called the main galleries, where the largest exhibitions are held (e.g summer exhibition). I just saw the Rubens exhibition on a Friday night there and it was never so packed that you couldn't view the paintings. Contrast this space with the Sackler Galleries which are effectively in the eves of the RA. It is the most miserable gallery space in London. Like holding an exhibition in your attic. Hot, airless and small, they are always a trial. There's a standard cafe for friends and non friends, but nothing like as good as the Tate in my view. Three stars due to the Sackler.

A Van Gogh exhibit steps away from my hotel while I am in town? Outstanding. Good thing it was close, because this place was packed with queueing art lovers long before it opened. The Real Van Gogh was amazing. Truth be told, Vincent is far and away my favourite artist. This exhibit highlights Van Gogh and his letters to his brother Theo. Contained in those letters are little sketches of upcoming or completed works where you can see the vision of those works. It was also a treat to see his use of pencil, ink and charcoal. I'm used to his oil paintings, so this was a pleasant surprise. It is going to be crowded here. So, expect to elbow for those good views. You'll see some famous paintings in this collection like the chair in his studio, the wheat field reaper and the signature Cypress trees. That is one of my favourites. Kind of sad to think that Van Gogh was never really appreciated during his life. He focused on being an artist at age 27. He led a troubled life and it is nice to see that his talent still makes a major impact today. This exhibit is a must for any art lover and not one to miss. Enjoy.

My favorite museum in London for four reasons: (1) brilliant exhibits - that often come to the National Gallery in D.C., by the way (2) it is small enough to be manageable (3) there is a lovely tea salon for members and (4) it hosts the "Summer Exhibition" painting auction, featuring works of living artists, every June. If you are going to be in London for an extended period, an RA membership is well worth the price - in part, for avoiding the lines and, secondly, to have access to the tea rooms.

Allen Jones at the RAA is pretty cool. It's a bit weird, but it's quite quirky. A bit like objectifying women though, but if you can get past that you'll be fine. There are lots of colour and 3D representations of paintings.

I came here for a special showing of an Exhibit of young American Artists. And by special showing I mean that they served food! The art was amazing and the food service was spectacular. In fact, my friend and I kept going back to the main reception room to grab a nibble before going back and looking at the art! To have both things at once is amazing. Highly recommended for special events.

Located near Green Park, the Royal Academy of the Arts is a beautiful building and home to a huge collection of art, and one of the oldest and best fine art libraries in Britain. The Royal Academy has a permanent collection of works as well as regular temporary shows. They are not always free and might not always be of interest so its worth having a look on the website to see whats on. I always go for the summer exhibition, held every year and open to all artists across the country. The competition is fierce attracting around 10,000 works every year, it is always interesting to see famous names such as Peter Blake being exhibited alongside unknown artists.