Royal Academy of Arts

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  • Address
    Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 0BD
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  • Phone
    7300 8000
  • Website
  • Transport
    underground rail: Green Park

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Lonely Planet review

Britain's first art school was founded in 1768, though it only moved here in the following century. It's a great place to come for some free art, thanks to the John Madejski's Fine Rooms, where drawings ranging from Constable, Reynolds, Gainsborough and Turner to Hockney are displayed for nowt.

The Academy's galleries have sprung back to life in recent years with mega-successful populist exhibitions such as the Art of the Aztecs and Turks, though the famous Summer Exhibition (early June to mid-August), which has showcased art submitted by the general public for nearly 250 years, is the Academy's biggest event.

The Academy is enjoying its new Annenberg Courtyard, which features a dashing stone-paved piazza with choreographed lights and fountains flanking a statue of founder Joshua Reynolds, though he's often replaced or joined by various (and dubious) art pieces.