London is a huge inspiration to everyone, including the most insatiable art lover. It is acclaimed as a breeding ground for top talents and iconic personalities such as Orwell, Shakespeare, and Dickens. It is home to over 1,000 art galleries, exhibiting all designs and art eras. At the National Gallery, find vintage paintings by the Dutch artist Van Gogh and modern masterpieces at Tate Modern by Hockney and Picasso.
The biggest artistic hub in Gateshead is the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art: once a flour mill, today it offers stellar art programmes for modern art. It also acts as a nest for kittiwakes, so you are sure to spot some gulls as you enjoy a panoramic sight of the city. While you are at Gateshead, visit The Biscuit Factory to check out Newcastle's Cultural Quarter for exhibitions.
Acclaimed as the most attractive city for art holidays in the UK, Bristol presents creativity from all over the country. World-renowned graffiti artist, Banksy, heralds from Bristol; simply take a stroll through the city and discover a wealth of street art. The best galleries include Spike Island, Arnolfini, Centerspace, M Shed, and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
As well as popular galleries and lovely Dovecot studios in the Scottish capital, just outside Edinburgh city is Jupiter Artland, an art and cultural haven covering 100 acres of meadows and woodland. There is a permanent collection of 36 sculptures from specific sites and designers such as Cornelia Parker and Anish Kapoor.
The red brick buildings in this metropolitan borough form some of the most creative backdrops for art holidays in the UK. Being the origin of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester boasts a rich cultural heritage, and you get a real sense of this as you walk around the streets. You will be fascinated by the multi-million pound venues, where world premiers from internationally admired artists occur. The art scene in Manchester is further fuelled by DIY sculptors, operating in hidden studios - you can sneak a peek their cutting-edge work before it reaches the public.