I went to Guildhall Art Gallery in the City of London the other day, and I have to say, it is one of those places that makes me wonder how many other wonderful London attractions I have been missing.
Tucked away in the heart of the Square Mile, it is a relatively small art gallery, but it has so much character. There are beautiful Victorian paintings, fascinating glimpses of London's history and, rather unexpectedly, the remains of a Roman amphitheatre hidden in the basement.
What I particularly loved was that I didn't feel rushed. I stayed there for a long time, just relaxing and looking at this ancient art and archaeology. It was such a lovely way to spend an afternoon, taking my time and enjoying the atmosphere without the crowds and noise you often get at London's bigger museums.
The history of Guildhall Art Gallery
Guildhall Art Gallery was established in 1885 to display the growing art collection of the City of London Corporation. It was created as a public gallery, with the aim of making art accessible and celebrating the city's cultural history.
The original gallery was almost completely destroyed during an air raid in May 1941, during the Second World War. Although many artworks had been moved to safety, a substantial number of paintings and other works were lost.
The gallery eventually reopened in a new building in 1999, but there is a fascinating twist to its history.
During archaeological excavations in 1988, the remains of a Roman amphitheatre were discovered beneath Guildhall Yard. Rather than simply covering them up, the new gallery was designed to incorporate the ancient remains.
It is this combination of art, history and archaeology that makes Guildhall Art Gallery such an unusual place to visit.
The paintings I loved seeing
The gallery has a particularly impressive collection of Victorian paintings, including works by some of the most important artists of the period. It is also a great place to discover paintings that capture London's history and the way the city has changed over the centuries.
The enormous painting that takes over the gallery
One of the most extraordinary works is John Singleton Copley's The Defeat of the Floating Batteries at Gibraltar, September 1782.
This enormous painting depicts a dramatic British military victory during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. It is absolutely massive, stretching across two floors of the gallery, and is filled with ships, soldiers, smoke and the chaos of battle.
I found it fascinating to look at all the little details within the painting. It is the sort of artwork that you could spend ages studying, noticing something new each time you look.
The story behind the painting is interesting too. Copley spent years working on it, and eventually exhibited it in a specially constructed tent in Green Park, charging visitors to see it because he needed to recover the cost of creating such an ambitious work.
Pre-Raphaelite paintings
Guildhall Art Gallery is also home to paintings by artists associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, including Dante Gabriel Rossetti and John Everett Millais.
Rossetti's La Ghirlandata is a beautiful example of the movement's love of rich colour, romantic imagery and intricate detail. It depicts a woman playing a harp, surrounded by flowers and decorative elements.
I also love the charm of Millais's My First Sermon and My Second Sermon. The two paintings show a little girl attending church, first sitting attentively and then falling asleep during the service.
They are lovely, humorous glimpses of Victorian childhood, and a reminder that even the most serious artists can capture the funny little moments of everyday life.
Paintings of London
Another reason I enjoyed visiting was the opportunity to see London through the eyes of artists from different periods.
There are paintings of the city's streets, markets, ceremonies and landmarks, including works that capture the Great Fire of London and the changing appearance of the Thames and the City.
I always find it fascinating to look at historical paintings of places I know today. They make you realise just how much London has changed, while also showing how many of its traditions and streets have survived.
The gallery's displays can change, so it is worth checking which paintings are currently on view before visiting.
The Roman amphitheatre hidden in the basement
For me, the real surprise of Guildhall Art Gallery was discovering the Roman amphitheatre downstairs.
The Romans built an amphitheatre in Londinium around AD 70. It would have been used for public spectacles and entertainment, including gladiatorial combat and animal fights.
For centuries, the remains lay buried beneath the modern City of London. They were rediscovered during excavations in 1988, and today you can descend into the Undercroft Gallery to see the surviving stonework.
I found it quite extraordinary to be standing in a place where people gathered nearly 2,000 years ago, while the busy streets of the City continued above me.
Outside, in Guildhall Yard, there is also a circular pattern in the paving marking the outline of the original amphitheatre. It is easy to walk straight past without realising what it represents.
This is what I love about London: you can be walking through a very modern part of the city and suddenly discover something ancient hiding beneath your feet.
A small and underrated London attraction
Guildhall Art Gallery is quite small compared with some of London's major museums, and that is actually one of the things I liked about it.
There is no café, and the shop is very small, so it is not somewhere to go if you want a long lunch or a big museum shopping experience.
But I would still recommend it wholeheartedly.
I spent a long time there just looking at the paintings and exploring the archaeology. It felt like a peaceful little escape in the middle of the City, and I loved being able to enjoy the art at my own pace.
It is also free to visit the permanent gallery, which makes it a particularly lovely discovery if you are looking for something interesting to do in London without spending a fortune.
Beyond Bayeux: Tapestry Now
There is another reason to visit Guildhall Art Gallery soon.
From 23 October 2026 to 21 March 2027, the gallery will host Beyond Bayeux: Tapestry Now, an exhibition celebrating tapestry as a contemporary art form.
The exhibition brings together more than 20 tapestries created by master weavers at Dovecot Studios in collaboration with leading artists, including David Hockney, Yinka Shonibare and Hurvin Anderson.
I think it is a particularly interesting addition to the gallery because it connects the history of art and craftsmanship with the way artists are working today.
The exhibition is Pay What You Can, so visitors can contribute as much or as little as they wish, including visiting for free. It is a lovely opportunity to see something different while exploring this part of London.
How to find Guildhall Art Gallery
Address: Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, London, EC2V 5AE.
The gallery is tucked away in the City of London, close to Bank and St Paul's Cathedral.
The nearest Underground stations are Bank and St Paul's, both within easy walking distance. You can also walk from Moorgate or Mansion House.
If you are exploring the City on foot, look for Guildhall Yard, the historic courtyard beside Guildhall. The gallery entrance is within the Guildhall complex, and you can see the outline of the Roman amphitheatre marked in the paving outside.
It is generally open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.45pm, although occasional closures and special events can affect opening times.
Website: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/attractions-museums-entertainment/guildhall-art-gallery
The Bayeux Tapestry: A once-in-a-lifetime reason to visit the British Museum
And while you are planning a London art and history day, there is one other extraordinary exhibition I think Londoners should make time for.
The famous Bayeux Tapestry is on display at the British Museum from 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027, marking its first return to England in almost 1,000 years.
The tapestry is an incredible embroidered work, nearly 70 metres long, telling the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It shows the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings, including the journey of William, Duke of Normandy, and the defeat of King Harold.
It is famous not just because of its enormous size, but because it is such a remarkable record of medieval life. Alongside the battles and ships, it shows clothing, buildings, horses, weapons and everyday details from nearly a thousand years ago. It is both an extraordinary work of art and a precious historical document.
I think this is a must-see for Londoners while it is here. We are so used to having incredible museums and historic treasures on our doorstep that it can be easy to put them off until another day. But this is a rare opportunity to see one of the world's most famous medieval artworks in person, rather than in a book or on a screen.
You can find it at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. Check the museum's website for ticket availability and booking information before visiting.
British Museum website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/bayeux-tapestry
