Tate Britain
Pimlico station, just beyond the ticket barriers in the station
Guided by Rick Jones
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Weekly | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:
10-08-2026On a tour of Tate Britain with arts critic Rick Jones you will see the best of British painting and sculpture over 500 years, a collection assembled initially by the sugar refiner Henry Tate, inventor of the sugar cube.
You will meet the Cholmendeley Ladies of the Tudor court and the Kytsons of Hengrave Hall whom Elizabeth I visited.
You will see the satirical, moral and political works of William Hogarth and portraits from the studios of Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds. You may appreciate breeding in the animal paintings of George Stubbs.
You will enter the mystical gallery of poet-painter William Blake and fall in love with the romantic idealism of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood – William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti Edward Burne-Jones, William Holman Hunt.
You may wonder at the romantic landscapes of John Constable and the awesome power of nature in scenes by JMW Turner. You will whiff the grease-paint in the music hall paintings of Walter Sickert and sense the rhythm in the jazz-age vorticist William Roberts.
You will admire the impressionist naturalism of the American adoptive Englishmen John Singer Sargent and James MacNeill Whistler.
You will wander among statues and busts by Sir Frederic Leighton and Jacob Epstein and yearn to feel the contours of the surreal sculptures by Henry Moore.
GUIDED BY LEGENDARY ARTS CRITIC RICK JONES
Carol & Rob –
Our tour with Barry was a little disappointing. While he was very knowledgeable about the artworks he chose to highlight, we felt rushed and would have preferred seeing fewer items and spending more time on each. In addition, perhaps in part due to his effort to include as many works as possible, Barry did not seem very receptive to questions. For these reasons we are not giving him five stars and hope he will consider our suggestions for future tours.
Yvonne Barton –
This Tate Britain walk was definitely one of the best I’ve ever done. This was my first visit to the Tate and I know very little about art, however, Rick took us from room to room telling us all about various paintings and sculptures. So interesting! Loved the Lady of Shalott. I can’t wait to do another walk with Rick next year.
Shane –
I just had the great pleasure of touring Tate Britain with Rick, and I truly can’t praise him enough! I already knew how great a guide he is from other walks, but he outdid himself (no easy feat) on this one. He selected fascinating works from the 17th century to the 21st, and his observations about each were unfailingly illuminating. (He was also witty and kind.) His tour was a fabulous introduction to Tate Britain—I plan to take the walks with him that I haven’t yet experienced, and I may well take his Tate tour again. Yes, it was that good!
Raymond Lopez Castillo Best –
Rick has such a highly detailed knowledge of art, and explained in great detail several paintings that I normally walk straight past without a glance, as any devoted JMW fan normally would. What a highly intelligent interesting chap, his enthusiastic explanations increased my awareness, and I am sure other attendees felt the same. There was only a limited amount of time left at the end of the tour, so I made sure I went back to view the Turner’s that were on show and several other favourites. A wonderful eloquent rendition of the Lady of Shallot completed his masterful tour. thank you – well done.
Jenny B –
A really enjoyable afternoon at Tate Britain guided superbly by Rick. As with his other walks, I am amazed by the breadth of his knowledge which he wears lightly, generously sharing it in an approachable and sometimes humorous way, making it easily accessible and understandable. It was so interesting to cover many subjects including history, politics, philosophy, poetry, theatre and music as well as the details of the artists and art works themselves. Thank you.
Mary –
Thank you, Rick! We learned a lot from you today, it was really interesting. We have lots to think about. It was very enjoyable and when we come back we’ll be seeing you again. JAMS
Susan –
Rick jones is a national treasure. Very informative and offered amazing inspires into the art and the building. Take any Rick jones walk you can
Lee and Ali –
We have been to Tate Britain many times, but going with Rick to explain the context of the works added so much to the experience. Great walk and great guide. Highly recommended.
Maren Stanley –
What a difference a knowledgeable guide makes when visiting a museum- especially an art museum! Rick’s explanation of selected pieces made our trip to the Tate a highlight of our London trip. I was twice moved to tears! His recitation of The Lady of Shalott… that was a moment to remember. Five stars.
Jo Lloyd –
Magnificent. Art, history, revolution, theatre, poetry. All of human life is here in this whistlestop tour of several centuries of painting and sculpture. Rick is an erudite and highly engaging guide. Plus he delivers the best impression of David Hockney I’ve ever heard!