The building housing the Tate Modern was not not intended as an art museum. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott originally designed it as a power station in the mid-20th century and it ran as the Bankside Power Station for decades. In 1981, changes in energy generation forced the business to close and the building sat largely unoccupied until 1994. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Tate Museum's collection of artwork grew too large for its single location--and the old Bankside Power Station was ready for it. Its impressive architecture, size and location made it an ideal home for the Tate's contemporary art.
In addition to ever-changing temporary exhibits, the Tate Modern has permanent exhibits that are free for all museum visitors. These exhibits are devoted to Minimalism, Surrealism, Post-war movements, Cubism, Futurism and Vorticism. The museum features work from Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dali, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. When visitors tire, a visit to the Tate Modern Restaurant on the seventh floor affords them an extensive view of London, with St. Paul's Cathedral visible across the Thames.
Several other London attractions are within walking distance of the Tate Modern. After filling up on art, tourists can walk a few yards to the right and view Shakespeare's Globe, a recreation of the original theater. In addition to regular tours and a visit to the gift shop, tourists can also take in a Shakespeare play during the summer. Across the Millennium Bridge lies St. Paul's Cathedral, the site of jubilees for Queen Victoria and the wedding of Prince Charles of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.
The Tate Modern is near several famous shopping areas in London--ideal for tourists seeking souvenirs. Shopping areas include the Strand, Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Covent Garden. The major streets house large shops, including Europe's largest bookstore, Waterstone's at Piccadilly. Meanwhile, Covent Garden has rows of stalls and vendors selling unique items.
Tourists who turn left at the entrance of the Tate Modern will find hidden treasures along the stretch of the Southbank. A 15-minute walk along the Thames will take them past the outdoor Southbank Book Market beneath Waterloo Bridge, which has a large collection of used and inexpensive books on all subjects. Continuing on, visitors will arrive at the London Eye, the London Aquarium and the Florence Nightingale Museum, while directly across the river are the Houses of Parliament.
