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.
Royal Academy of Arts at a Glance#
Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/
Hours: Usually Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, Wed/Thu/Fridays may have late openings; closed Mondays (check website).
Admission: Admission to the Royal Academy’s permanent rooms is free; major temporary exhibitions typically £12-£25.
About Royal Academy of Arts#
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Royal Academy of Arts#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 65 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 2° - 8° | 2° | 42 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 53 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 48 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 50 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 56 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 44 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 51 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 58 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 64 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 5° | 65 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 9° | 3° | 62 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
