Explore 500 hundred years of British art at Tate Britain and enjoy the many exciting stories these artists have shared across time. Consider how these events and experiences are relevant today and discover historic eras and new artistic styles through sculpture, painting, performance, installation, video works and more.
'All the children had an amazing time, and we can’t wait … to come back.'
Primary School Teacher
Be led by your curiosity!
A self-guided visit is a free, pre-booked school trip to Tate Britain, where you and your students independently explore the gallery.
All young people should see themselves reflected back through the experience of visiting the galleries. Take up space at Tate Britain and engage with art to support your students to learn about themselves, their peers and the world around them.
Choose a particular focus, follow your students' interests, or wander at your own pace.
Bring sketchbooks and dry drawing materials with you or use our free in-gallery resources to capture what you can see, hear, or feel.
We ask that all groups book their visit to the galleries. Please contact us at least two weeks in advance of your visit, although more time is recommended.
To do this email us at, schoolsandteachers@tate.org.uk and we will send you the relevant booking form.
If you would like to discuss your booking over the phone, call +44 (0)20 7887 8888 (option 3):
- Monday - Friday 10.00-16.00, during Term time
- Monday – Friday 11.00-15.00, during the School Half Term holidays.
Please note that our phoneline is closed during the school Winter, Spring and Summer holidays.
Have the following ready when you contact us:
Range of dates for your visit
Group size and age of students
School address, telephone number and your school email address
Bookings for our ticketed exhibitions must be made at least two weeks in advance to ensure you receive your tickets in time.
If you are enquiring about a visit for Spring Term 2026, we will keep your email on file and begin to book in from 27 October.
By bus– Route 87 stops on Millbank Routes 88 and C10 stop on John Islip Street Routes 2, 36, 185, 436 stop on Vauxhall Bridge Road.
By train– Vauxhall 850 metres approx. Victoria 1,600 metres approx.
By Tube – Pimlico: Victoria Line, 600 metres approx. Vauxhall: Victoria Line, 850 metres approx. Westminster: Jubilee, District and Circle Lines, 1,200 metres approx.
Check TFL before you travel for any changes to their services.
By coach – Coaches are able to drop groups off outside the Millbank entrance. There is an additional drop off/pick up point on Atterbury Street.
By boat– Travel direct between Tate Britain at Millbank Pier and Tate Modern at Bankside Pier with the Tate to Tate – RB2 service. Book the Tate to Tate boat service in advance of your visit by contacting the Schools and Teachers team.
The RB2 service runs every 30 minutes. Check Thames Clipper for the latest timetable.
The gallery has step-free access throughout and accessible toilets on the lower floor, two shops, and the opportunity to buy food and drink.
School Lunchroom
The Clore Centre lunchroom is a designated space where schools can eat lunch during their visit. This space can fit up to 60 students in total. You can book a 30-minute lunch slot from 11.00–15.00 in advance of your visit, subject to availability.
Lunches can also be eaten anywhere outside Tate Britain at your discretion. As these spaces are neither private nor bookable, we cannot guarantee their availability.
There are two water fountains in the Clore Centre lunchroom.
Lockers
School lockers are located in the Clore Centre lunchroom. You can book lockers in advance of your visit, subject to availability.
Toilets
All toilets in the gallery are located on the lower floor including the Accessible toilets. Schools' toilets are in the Clore Centre lunchroom.
There is also a Changing Places toilet located in the Clore Foyer. Speak to the Schools Assistant on the Schools Welcome desk if you need to access this.
School groups also have access to the following facilities during their visit. Please note that these facilities are open to the public and availability may vary.
Accessible Parking
Tate Britain has limited accessible onsite parking, accessed via John Islip Street. This should be booked in advance, and a registration number provided at least 24hrs before the visit by contacting the Schools and Teachers team.
Multi-faith and Contemplation room
This space can be used by all visitors, including groups, if required.
Quiet Room
This can be used by all visitors including groups, if space away from the gallery is required. It is located on the upper floor.
Access Stations
Here you can borrow:
Ear defenders (both adult and child sizes)
Ramble tags
Magnifier overlay sheets
Coloured gel overlay sheets
For detailed information on Tate’s access resources, including communication cards and audio description recordings of artworks visit: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/accessibility
Visual Story
Before you visit, you can share our Visual Story with your students to help them know what to expect when they’re in the gallery.
Students under 16 must be accompanied at all times.
Maximum group size per gallery room is 20.
Required adult to student ratio is as follows:
Under 5 years - 1:5
6-11 years - 1:10
12-16 years - 1:15
Over 16 years - 1:20
When planning a visit to one of the Tate galleries, groups are advised to carry out a risk assessment relevant to their particular group’s needs. Teachers and group leaders are responsible for their student's behaviour and safety at all times. At no stage can Tate assume the formal duty of care on behalf of teachers.
Tate complies with all Health and Safety and Fire Safety legislation and relevant Local Authority and licensing regulations. The galleries are subject to regular inspections by these bodies and conducts its own internal audit procedure. We maintain high standards of public safety and carry out regular reviews of our risk assessments. Where there is an identified hazard and for public areas where we are introducing elements, such as new exhibitions or displays, these are recorded and can be made available for inspection by appropriate authorities. As a non-departmental body, Tate is not required to carry out Public Liability insurance.
As part of our commitment to the safety and security of our visitors, we always have security staff and invigilators on duty who are trained in emergency response procedures, including first aid.
The schools’ entrance is moving location while we work on the new Clore garden at Tate Britain. Due to open in 2026, the Clore Garden will transform Tate Britain’s exterior and offer beautiful spaces for residents, students and visitors to enjoy.
Monday - Friday
School groups can enter via the Manton Entrance on Atterbury Street. This is an accessible entrance. Groups will then be directed by a member of staff to the Schools Welcome desk located in the Clore Centre. The lead teacher will be asked to sign in on behalf of the group, collect Tate Teacher stickers, and will be given information about available resources.
Weekends, bank holidays, and school holidays
School groups can enter via the Manton entrance.
Groups can exit via any entrance.
Please arrive at your allocated time slot. If you are running late for your slot, contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.
You and your students are welcome to get excited, take ownership of the gallery, and engage with the artwork. Groups are encouraged to make noise and take up space in the gallery. You are welcome to draw, sketch, make, sing, and dance in the collection spaces.
Teachers are responsible for their students’ behaviour and safety.
Students under 16 must be accompanied at all times.
Maximum group size per gallery room is 20.
We ask people to not:
Run in the galleries
Touch the artworks
Eat or drink in the galleries. Our lunchroom can be booked, or outside space is available.
Move around the gallery in large groups. We recommend smaller groups of 20 or less. Please be mindful of others in the space.
Use wet or dusty materials that will leave behind marks, such as permanent marker, water colours, or charcoal. You are welcome to use dry materials such as pencils, pens, and colouring pencils.
We encourage you to take photos in the gallery as long as you don’t use flash or tripods. Photography is allowed for personal, non-commercial purposes only and it is the visitor’s responsibility to ensure no copyright is infringed.
Please speak to the Schools Assistants if you have any questions, need directions, or would like to request any of our accessible facilities.
The Visitor Experience team are also situated around the galleries.
After your visit
Explore our range of teaching resources once you are back at school to continue the learning in your classroom and beyond.
