Tate Modern
No art jaunt to London would be complete without a trip to Tate Modern. A major exhibit on Futurism and the movements it influenced, featuring key pieces like Boccioni’s Unique Forms of Continuity in Space (1913), runs through September 20. Also on view, June 17 through September 6, is a survey of Danish expressionist Per Kirkeby’s diverse oeuvre.
Bankside
44-20/7887-8888
tate.org.uk/modern

Wellcome Collection
At this singularly marvelous exhibition space devoted to the history of medicine, check out such artifacts as Napoleon’s toothbrush and George III’s hair, which were collected by philanthropist Sir Henry Wellcome. Brett Rogers, director of the Photographers’ Gallery, praises the center’s “wonderful curating, complemented by a great bookshop and first-rate café, which is clearly beloved by the locals.” Of particular interest to art lovers are two current shows exploring the relationship between creativity and mental illness, including “Madness and Modernity: Mental Illness and the Visual Arts in Vienna 1900,” on view through June 28.
183 Euston Road
44-20/7611-2222
wellcomecollection.org

Sir John Soane’s Museum
The Serpentine’s Julia Peyton-Jones calls this “hidden gem” one of London’s “great pleasures.” The former home of famed British architect John Soane, best-known for designing the Bank of England, the museum is crammed to the gills with his vast collection of drawings, models, and antiquities. It’s also an outstanding architectural artifact on its own.
13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
44-20/7440-4263
soane.org

The Courtauld Gallery
Roam the stately halls of this 18th-century palace and view some of the most famous paintings in the world. On June 18, the gallery opens a new exhibition, “Beyond Bloomsbury: Designs of the Omega Workshops 1913-19,” which will run through September 20. The show unites the Courtauld’s extensive collection of the experimental design collective’s working drawings with exceptional examples of its domestic products, ranging from rugs and printed linens to ceramics, furnishings, and clothes.
The Courtauld Gallery
Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 0RN
44-20/7848-25226
courtauld.ac.uk

Shop:

Marylebone High Street
Boho stylistas haunt Marylebone High Street for its appealing mix of restaurants, shops, and boutiques — and, on Sundays, a bustling farmers’ market. “The strong emphasis on great design shops is balanced by some fantastic charity shops, where I always manage to find some good purchases,” says Brett Rogers of the Photographers’ Gallery.

Postcard Teas
In a city renowned for its tea culture, the Saatchi’s Wilson maintains that the best tea is to be found here. Run by art dealer Anthony d’Offay’s son Timothy, the tiny shop commands a devoted following for its vast collection of rare varieties, sourced directly from small family growers in China, Japan, India, and elsewhere.
9 Dering Street, New Bond Street
44-20/7629-3654
postcardteas.com

London Review Bookshop
The London Review Bookshop is “one of my favorite bookshops in the world,” says the Serpentine’s Hans Ulrich Obrist, who calls it “the intellectual heart of London.” Stop in and browse through the store’s deep holdings in philosophy, history, and poetry, or catch an author talk. (Check out the store’s Web site for archived talks by such writers as Hanif Kureishi and Doris Lessing.) The upcoming inaugural Weekend of World Literature, June 19–21, will feature panel discussions helmed by leading international authors and translators.
14 Bury Place
44-20/7269-9030
lrbshop.co.uk