Must-see London exhibitions this spring
London’s museums and galleries are buzzing with exciting exhibitions this season. From legendary samurai warriors and the story of a Pacific kingdom, to bold Nigerian modernism and deeply personal contemporary art, the capital’s cultural calendar is packed with reasons to explore. There are also landmark exhibitions for the works of some of history's most influential artists, including Pablo Picasso, Tracey Emin, and John Constable.
With Thameslink taking you straight into the heart of the city, discovering London’s biggest cultural highlights couldn’t be easier. Even better, when you travel by train you can unlock exclusive 2FOR1 offers on all of these exhibitions. Here’s our pick of must-see culture to add to your list.
Samurai at the British Museum
Step into the fascinating world of Japan’s legendary warrior class with Samurai at the British Museum. Spanning more than a thousand years of history, this major exhibition explores the rise of the samurai and their lasting influence on Japanese culture.
Through beautifully crafted armour, swords, paintings and rare historical objects, the exhibition reveals a far richer story than the battlefield alone. The samurai were not only warriors but also poets, scholars, and political leaders who shaped Japanese society for centuries.
When you travel by train, you can get 2FOR1 on Samurai exhibition tickets, making it the perfect excuse to dive into this extraordinary chapter of history.
Exhibition dates: until 4 May 2026
Address: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG
Phone: 020 7323 8299
Hours: Open daily 10am-5pm, Fridays until 8:30pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Hawaiʻi: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans at the British Museum
Discover the remarkable story of the Hawaiian Kingdom in Hawaiʻi: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans at the British Museum. This visually stunning exhibition brings together extraordinary objects that celebrate the creativity, traditions, and global connections of Hawaiʻi.
Highlights include magnificent feathered cloaks worn by Hawaiian chiefs, powerful carved kiʻi figures, and finely crafted weapons. At its heart is the story of King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu, whose historic journey to Britain in 1824 created a lasting cultural link between the islands and the UK.
Travel by train and you can get two exhibition tickets for the price of one, making this vibrant celebration of Hawaiian culture even more tempting.
Exhibition dates: until 25 May 2026
Address: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG
Phone: 020 7323 8299
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm, Fridays until 8:30pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Nigerian Modernism at Tate Modern
Head to Tate Modern for Nigerian Modernism, a powerful exhibition exploring the artists who reshaped modern art in the decades surrounding Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
Bringing together paintings, sculpture, textiles and ceramics by more than 50 artists, the exhibition reveals a vibrant creative movement that blended international modernism with deeply rooted Nigerian traditions. The result is a rich and dynamic portrait of a nation redefining itself through art.
When you travel by train, you can get two tickets for the price of one, making it even easier to discover one of the most exciting chapters in modern art history.
Exhibition dates: until 10 May 2026
Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
Phone: 020 7887 8888
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays and Saturdays until 9pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows at the National Gallery
Discover the dramatic paintings of Joseph Wright in Wright of Derby: From the Shadows at the National Gallery. Known for his masterful use of light and shadow, Wright captured the spirit of the Enlightenment through scenes of scientific discovery and moments of quiet intensity.
From candlelit experiments to striking portraits and atmospheric landscapes, his paintings reveal the excitement of a world transformed by science and industry. This exhibition offers a fascinating look at one of Britain’s most distinctive painters.
Travel by train and you can enjoy two exhibition tickets for the price of one, making it a brilliant and valuable way to explore this remarkable artist.
Exhibition dates: until 10 May 2026
Address: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Phone: 020 7747 2885
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays until 9pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Theatre Picasso at Tate Modern
Step into a world of colour, performance, and creativity at Theatre Picasso at Tate Modern. This imaginative exhibition explores Pablo Picasso’s lifelong fascination with theatre, performance and the idea of the artist as performer.
At the centre of the exhibition is the powerful painting The Three Dancers, surrounded by sculptures, stage designs, costumes and film that reveal how Picasso blurred the line between art and theatre. The result is a visually rich show that offers a fresh perspective on one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Even more exciting than a Picasso exhibition? Getting two tickets for the price of one for a Picasso exhibition.
Exhibition dates: until 12 April 2026
Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
Phone: 020 7887 8888
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays and Saturdays until 9pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Turner and Constable at Tate Britain
Two giants of British landscape painting come together in Turner and Constable at Tate Britain. This major exhibition explores how J.M.W. Turner and John Constable transformed the way artists captured the natural world.
Through dramatic seascapes, glowing sunsets, and idyllic countryside scenes, the exhibition reveals how these two painters pushed the boundaries of landscape art. Seeing their masterpieces side by side offers a rare opportunity to compare their styles and discover how their rivalry helped shape British art.
When you travel by train, you can get two tickets for the price of one to this exciting and historic exhibition.
Exhibition dates: until 12 April 2026
Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
Phone: 020 7887 8888
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Tracey Emin: A Second Life at Tate Modern
Experience the powerful work of one of Britain’s most influential contemporary artists with Tracey Emin at Tate Modern. Spanning more than four decades of creativity, this major exhibition brings together paintings, sculpture, neon works and installations drawn from across Emin’s career.
Known for her fearless honesty, Emin’s work explores love, loss, memory and identity with striking emotional intensity. The result is an exhibition that feels deeply personal while speaking to universal human experiences.
Make sure you travel with Thameslink and get two tickets for the price of one for what is sure to be one of the most talked-about exhibitions of the year.
Exhibition dates: 27 February - 31 August 2026
Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
Phone: 020 7887 8888
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays and Saturdays until 9pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
