Royal Academy of Arts

Museum Historic London art institution hosting exhibitions and education

The Royal Academy on Piccadilly stages major exhibitions, the annual Summer Exhibition and debates on art practice; collectors and visitors attend for temporary shows and the historic institution.

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The Royal Academy of Arts is an independent institution for the promotion of the visual arts, located at Burlington House on Piccadilly in central London. It was founded in 1768 by artists and architects to promote the arts through exhibitions, education and debate.

Galleries at the Royal Academy host temporary exhibitions of historical and contemporary art, artist retrospectives and the long-running annual Summer Exhibition. The institution also runs the Royal Academy Schools, a postgraduate art school and studio programme.

The Academy was established in 1768 by a group of artists and architects and has operated continuously since, developing its programme of exhibitions, publications and teaching across the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Its governance by elected Academicians has been a consistent feature of its structure.

The Academy occupies Burlington House on Piccadilly, in London’s West End, near Piccadilly Circus and the National Gallery. The site is centrally located within the city’s museum and gallery quarter.

  • Foundation: The Royal Academy was founded in 1768 and remains an independent institution run by elected Royal Academicians.
  • Summer Exhibition: The annual Summer Exhibition, first held in 1769, is an open-submission show and remains one of the academy's best-known events.
Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD, United Kingdom
+44 20 7300 8000
51.5085, -0.1390
Google Maps Apple Maps
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/
Usually Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, Wed/Thu/Fridays may have late openings; closed Mondays (check website).
Admission to the Royal Academy's permanent rooms is free; major temporary exhibitions typically £12-£25.

How to Get to Royal Academy of Arts #

The Royal Academy is on Piccadilly, a 5-10 minute walk from Piccadilly Circus or Green Park Tube stations (Piccadilly, Bakerloo, Victoria lines).

Tips for Visiting Royal Academy of Arts #

  • Check for the seasonal Summer Exhibition - it's a long-running show that fills the academy and draws a lively crowd.
  • Enter through Burlington House on Piccadilly for the fastest route to the galleries.
  • Exhibition previews and talks fill the calendar; book early for popular events.

Best Time to Visit Royal Academy of Arts #

Timing visits for the Summer Exhibition or quieter autumn months will shape the experience significantly.

Summer Exhibition period
June-August · Varies
The Annual Summer Exhibition is a major event with late nights and high attendance.
Autumn/Winter (quieter)
October-February · Varies
Fewer tourists and more space to inspect core galleries.

Weather & Climate near Royal Academy of Arts #

Climate

Royal Academy of Arts's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (658 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
2° – 8°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
2° – 8°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

7°
Feels Like Cold
7°C
Temperature
3° – 11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

9°
Feels Like Cold
9°C
Temperature
5° – 13°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
8° – 18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° – 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° – 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° – 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° – 19°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
8° – 15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

8°
Feels Like Cold
8°C
Temperature
4° – 11°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

6°
Feels Like Cold
6°C
Temperature
3° – 9°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

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