Best London galleries and museums

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Beatle bonanza: rare images at the Movieum

Run to the 02: Leona Lewis at the British Music Experience

Fit for a king: Henry VIII still large as life

From rock 'n' roll and graffiti art to Henry VIII and the workings of the human body, London's galleries and museums have something for everyone.

THE BEATLES EXHIBITION
Beatles fans will relish the opportunity to see rare and unseen images of the "Fab Four" as well as memorabilia at the Getty Images Gallery, The Movieum London. The collection's launch marks the 40th anniversary of the group's last live performance on the rooftop of the Apple building at 3 Savile Row. The images, from 1963 to 1970, include shots from the filming of Help and A Hard Day's Night, with behind-the-scenes pictures of the Beatles on tour.
Movieum of London, County Hall, SE1. Tickets: admission to the exhibition is included in the entry fee to the Movieum - £12 adults, £8 children. Visit: themovieum.com

THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE
The newly opened Theatre and Performance Galleries at the V&A explore all performance types, from theatre and ballet to pantomime and rock. More than 250 objects are on display, including a Shakespeare first folio, costumes and sets from award-winning productions, a guitar Pete Townshend smashed during a 1970s performance with The Who, the original Lips and Tongue Rolling Stones logo and 1957 poster for Look Back in Anger at the Royal Court. Specially commissioned films of playwrights, directors and actors include interviews with Michael Frayn and Sir Peter Hall.
Victoria & albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7. Free. Visit: vam.ac.uk

DARWIN, THE BIG IDEA
Last chance to see this exhibition (closes 19 Apr), exploring Darwin's life and revolutionary big idea that changed our understanding of the natural world, to mark his 200th birthday. Includes rare exhibits and interactive experiences.
Natural History Museum, Exhibition Rd, SW7. Booking required (online at nhm.ac.uk or at the information desk). Tickets: £8.80 adults, £4.40 children plus £1.50 fee per transaction. Visit: nhm.ac.uk

MAGIC OF ART
Interactive exhibition, part of events marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Salvador Dalí. The aim is to teach kids about the arts in a fun and creative way, so they will want to discover more. Must-sees include the "Art Machine", which sprays virtual paint on to a digital canvas (children keep their creations) and the Graffiti Wall. Opens 12 Apr.
The Dalí Universe, County Hall Gallery, Riverside Building, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1. Tickets: £14 adults, £9 children 12-16, £7 children four to 11, under-fours free, £38 family. Visit: thedaliuniverse. com

THE ROBOT ZOO
Interactive exhibit of the inner workings of eight robotic creatures, to help in learning how animals function in real life.
Horniman Musuem, 100 London Rd, SE23. Tickets: £5 adults, £2.50 children, Under-threes free. Visit: horniman.ac.uk

BODY WORLDS
See actual human bodies preserved by Plastination (Dr Gunther von Hagens's groundbreaking method for preserving dead bodies) and gain a unique insight into the human body from youth through to old age at the BODY WORLDS & The Mirror of Time at the O2. Tickets are for timed entry during a 30-minute period. The O2 Bubble, Peninsula Square, SE10. Tickets: (mon-thurs) £12 adults, £8 children six to 17, £29 families. Weekend (fri-sun and bank holidays) £14 adults, £9.50 children, £34 families. under-fives free. To book tickets visit visitlondon.com/ bodyworlds. For further information visit bodyworlds.com

CONSTABLE
He is celebrated as an outstanding landscape artist, but this exhibition for the first time focuses on John Constable's portraits - of himself, friends and family, as well as commissioned work. Until 14 Jun.
National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, WC2. Tickets: £5 (£5.50 with gift aid) adults, £4 12-18s (plus £1.50 postage/to collect from gallery). Children under 12 free. Visit: npg.org.uk

PICASSO
In some 60 works by Pablo Picasso, this exhibition shows how arguably the most influential artist of the 20th century interpreted the works of Old Masters of European painting to create "something else entirely" in his personal style. On until 7 Jun. There is also a free exhibition of Picasso's Prints in Room 1.
Sainsbury Wing, the National gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2. tickets: £12 adults, £6 students and 12-18s, under-12s free. Visit: nationalgallery.org.uk

ALTERMODERN
Some of the best contemporary art in Britain - photography, film, video and installations - has been assembled for this exhibition. This thought-provoking display is based on the premise that postmodernism is coming to an end and something called global altermodernity is emerging in its place. Until 26 Apr.
Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1. Tickets: £7.80 adults, £4.90 concession, £19.50 families (booking fee applies unless tickets bought in person). Free for Tate members. Visit: tate.org.uk/britain/

HENRY VIII
This year sees a number of special events and exhibitions to commemorate the fact that it is 500 years since Henry VIII made his accession to the English throne. From 10 Apr, Hampton Court Palace, in a daily experience, sees Henry about to marry his sixth wife, Kateryn Parr. Portraits of Henry's other wives are also on display, along with some of their personal objects. Don't miss the Young Henry exhibition of his life, devoted to the period before he became the fat old king familiar from portraits, the Great Hall and, of course, the world-famous maze. If you - or your children - want to learn more about Henry VIII, the National Portrait Gallery also has a free exhibition of portraits of the king.
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU. Tickets (online price): £13 adults, £6.50 children, under-fives free, £35 families. Visit: hrp.org.uk

BRITISH MUSIC EXPERIENCE
After four years in the making the british music experience, the 02's new state-of-the-art interactive music exhibition, has opened. look at trends over the decades, discover how music has influenced art and fashion, and its effect on politics. You can also download music from the bme archive, visit the gibson interactive studio to play gibson guitars, as well as taking part in workshops and seeing concerts. From the beatles to motorhead and Leona Lewis, there is something for everybody.
The British Music Experience is at the 02 bubble, the 02, Peninsula Square, SE10. tickets: £15 adults, £12 children, free for under-fives, £40 families. Visit britishmusicexperience.com

LIFE'S A SCREAM
*London's bloodiest operating theatre opens this Easter at the London Dungeon, with dissected corpses and a brutal butcher-surgeon in his filthy operating room. With two rides - extremis: drop ride to doom, and traitor, the boat ride to hell - there is plenty of horrific history, gruesome gore, as well as scary screams. Not for the young or squeamish.
The London Dungeons, 28-34 tooley st, se1. from £21.95 adults, £16.95 children. priority entrance bookings (the queues can be long) can be bought online. Book early or late to avoid the longest queues. Price depends on time of entry. Visit: thedungeons.com.

*At the nearby London bridge experience, rummage through London Bridge's haunted tunnels on a search for severed heads in this alternative easter egg hunt. Find all the hidden heads (4-19 april) and receive a chocolate reward for your bravery.
Visit the London tombs on the same ticket - not suitable for under-11s. The London Bridge experience, 2-4 tooley st, london bridge, SE1. tickets: £21.95 adults, £16.95 children. Buy tickets online for a discount. Visit: thelondonbridgeexperience.com

 

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