Discover Britain’s top summer exhibitions

Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style, The Design Museum, London, England 

Until 17 August 2025 

Ready to dive into a century of swimwear and style? Splash! at London’s Design Museum takes your clients on a deep dive into the evolution of swimming culture – from Victorian bathing suits to Baywatch bikinis and Olympic speed suits. They will discover how fashion, sport and society have shaped what we wear in the water, with iconic pieces worn by athletes, film stars and everyday swimmers. It’s not just about the suits – they can explore stories of seaside holidays, public pools, and the joy of a dip in the open water. Whether your clients are design lovers or history buffs, this exhibition makes quite the splash. 

Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300-1350, National Gallery, London, England 
Until 22 June 2025 

Step into 14th-century Siena with Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300–1350. Part of the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary celebrations, it shines a light on a golden age of creativity. Masterpieces by artists like Duccio and Simone Martini reveal how Sienese painters transformed religious storytelling with rich colours and a new sense of realism – shaping European art for centuries to come. From luminous altarpieces to intimate devotional works, each painting offers a glimpse into Siena’s spiritual history and artistic innovation.  

Dress Code, Kensington Palace, London, England 
Until 30 November 2025 

Peek beyond the velvet rope and into the wardrobes of royalty at Dress Code – a dazzling new exhibition at Kensington Palace. From glittering gowns to sharp suits, this show unpicks the secrets behind royal fashion, revealing how style has shaped the monarchy’s image through the ages. As part of Historic Royal Palaces’ latest exhibition, your clients will get up close to iconic outfits worn by generations of royals, exploring the stories stitched into every seam. Discover the power of a well-cut coat, the meaning behind a tiara, and how fashion choices can make headlines around the world.  

Cartier, V&A South Kensington, London, England 
Until 16 November 2025 

Step into the glittering world of Cartier at the V&A South Kensington, where more than 350 dazzling pieces of jewellery tell the story of this iconic brand. Running from April to November 2025, the exhibition traces Cartier’s journey from its humble beginnings to becoming one of the world’s most prestigious jewellery houses. From sparkling gemstones to intricate timepieces, your clients will get a behind-the-scenes look at Cartier’s craftsmanship, alongside its deep connections with fashion and royalty throughout the decades. Explore the legendary designs that have adorned royals and celebrities alike and discover how Cartier has remained a symbol of luxury and elegance for over a century. 

Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Scotland 
Until 13 July 2025 

Embark on a profound exploration of motherhood through art at Dundee Contemporary Arts’ Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood. This exhibition, curated by art critic Hettie Judah, brings together more than 60 modern and contemporary artists who delve into the multilayered experiences of motherhood. The exhibition features works by renowned artists such as Tracey Emin, Barbara Hepworth, Chantal Joffe, Catherine Opie, Paula Rego and Jenny Saville. Through a diverse array of mediums, these artists present motherhood as a creative enterprise, reflecting on themes of exhaustion and grief, and engaging with discourses around gender, caregiving and reproductive rights. 

Leigh Bowery, Tate Modern, London, England 
Until 31 August 2025 

Step into the extravagant world of Leigh Bowery – artist, performer, designer, and provocateur. This dazzling exhibition at Tate Modern unveils Bowery’s boundary-pushing creativity, from outrageous costumes to captivating performances. Celebrate the life and legacy of an icon who blurred art, fashion and nightlife, leaving a significant mark on culture. 

Linder: Danger Came Smiling, Inverleith House, Edinburgh, Scotland 
Until 19 October 2025 

Those who missed the rare chance to explore the bold, boundary-pushing world of Linder: Danger Came Smiling at London’s Hayward Gallery in spring, can head to Inverleith House in Edinburgh, where her work will be on display throughout the summer. The punk icon and radical feminist has spent decades challenging conventions through her photomontages and provocative performance art. This exhibition dives deep into her rebellious spirit, exploring themes of identity, gender and power. From confronting societal norms to celebrating subversion, her work pulses with unapologetic punk energy and creativity. 

John Bellany: A Life in Self Portraiture, City Art Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland 
Until 28 September 2025 

Get up close and personal with one of Scotland’s most celebrated artists at John Bellany: A Life in Self Portraiture at Edinburgh’s City Art Centre. Bellany’s self-portraits are a window into his life, including highs and lows. Spanning decades, the exhibition traces Bellany’s artistic journey, revealing how his bold brushwork and vivid colours captured not just his face, but created a visual diary of his inner life, showing joy, grief and everything in between.  

Design and Disability, V&A South Kensington, London 
7 June 2025 to 15 February 2026 

The Design and Disability exhibition at the V&A South Kensington explores the significant impact disabled people have had on the creative industries, from architecture to fashion. Spanning from the 1940s to today, the exhibition highlights the radical contributions made by disabled, Deaf, and neurodiverse individuals. Through a range of exhibits, visitors will gain insight into how these innovations have influenced design and helped foster a more inclusive and accessible society. 

Summer Exhibition 2025, Royal Academy of the Arts, London, England 
17 June to 17 August 2025 

The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition is back for 2025, and it’s as bold and fresh as ever. Running since 1769, this annual art extravaganza is the world’s largest open-submission exhibition – meaning anyone, from new talent to household names, can have their work hanging alongside the greats. Expect a whirlwind of creativity as paintings, sculptures, photography and more fill the RA’s grand galleries, each piece handpicked by a panel of leading artists. Whether your clients are here to spot future stars or just soak up the sheer variety, there’s plenty to explore.  

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting, National Portrait Gallery, London, England 
20 June to 7 September 2025 

Jenny Saville’s The Anatomy of Painting at the National Portrait Gallery is a rare chance to delve into the world of one of Britain’s most acclaimed contemporary artists. Known for her visceral, large-scale depictions of the human body, Saville’s work aims to challenge our perceptions of beauty, identity and vulnerability. This exhibition focuses on the anatomy of her artistic process, featuring sketches, paintings, and studies that reveal how she explores the body from every angle.   

Mike Nelson, The Asset Stripper, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland 
28 June to 28 September 2025 

Mike Nelson’s The Asset Strippers at Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh is an immersive exploration of the world’s forgotten industrial landscapes. Nelson, known for his intricate and often unsettling installations, takes viewers on a visual journey through a maze of discarded objects such as scrap metal, focusing on the weight of history and the hidden stories in the things we leave behind. Your clients can walk through this labyrinth of relics and reflect on how we value and discard both objects and people. 

Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, Scotland 
26 July 2025 to 2 November 2025 

Andy Goldsworthy’s Fifty Years at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh offers a retrospective of the artist’s groundbreaking work with nature. Celebrating five decades of creative exploration, this exhibition highlights Goldsworthy’s unique ability to transform materials like ice, stone, leaves and clay into intricate sculptures that seamlessly merge with their surroundings. His iconic, temporary installations challenge us to slow down, engage with the environment, and reflect on time, decay and the cycles of nature.  

Emily Kam Kngwarray, Tate Modern, London, England 
10 July 2025 to 13 January 2026 

The Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition at Tate Modern offers an opportunity to experience the monumental paintings of the renowned indigenous Australian artist. Known for her vibrant use of colour and intricate patterns, Kngwarray’s work reflects her deep connection to her ancestral land and culture. This exhibition presents her work at an unprecedented scale in Europe, giving your clients a rare opportunity to witness her artistic vision in all its vibrancy.  

A Fragile Correspondence, V&A Dundee, Scotland 
Ongoing 

A Fragile Correspondence takes visitors on a journey across Scotland, exploring artistic responses to the nation’s diverse landscapes. From the shores of Loch Ness to the rugged Highlands, the works in the exhibition at the V&A Dundee aim to offer fresh perspectives on the environments we live in. The exhibition, commissioned by Scotland and Venice, previously represented Scotland at the Venice Architectural Biennale in 2023. 

Visions of Nature, Natural History Museum, London 
Ongoing 

Visions of Nature offers a mixed reality experience that allows your clients to step into the future of our planet. They can put on a headset and watch creatures come to life alongside real specimens from the museum’s collection. The experience provides a glimpse into how Earth might look in 100 years, while also highlighting how our actions today can shape the future of the planet’s ecosystems and impact biodiversity. 

Looking ahead to 2026… 

Tracey Emin: Love, Trauma, and Autobiography, Tate Modern 
26 Feb to 31 Aug 2026 

Tracey Emin’s raw and confessional art takes centre stage in this landmark exhibition spanning 40 years of her groundbreaking career. Expect iconic works and never-before-seen pieces exploring love, trauma, and personal storytelling. Presented in the Eyal Ofer Galleries.  

Hurvin Anderson: Between Two Worlds, Tate Britain, London, England 
26 Mar to 23 Aug 2026 

Vibrant landscapes and evocative interiors trace Hurvin Anderson’s journey between the UK and the Caribbean in his first major museum show. More than 60 works will reflect themes of belonging and diaspora, drenched in bold colour.  

Aleksandra Kasuba: Nature Reimagined, Tate St Ives, England 
2 May 2026 to 4 Oct 2027 

Explore six decades of artistic innovation in this deep dive into Aleksandra Kasuba’s nature-inspired work. From intricate mosaics to architectural designs, her pieces blur boundaries between art and environment. 

James McNeill Whistler: A Life in Light, Tate Britain, London, England 
21 May to 27 Sep 2026 

The first major Whistler retrospective in Europe for 30 years. Discover world-famous portraits, rare prints, and works from his early days in St. Petersburg to his enigmatic self-portraits. 

Julio Le Parc: Light and Movement, Tate Modern, London, England 
11 Jun 2026 to 3 May 2027 

Step into the immersive world of Julio Le Parc. This sensory feast will showcase dazzling optical art, kinetic sculptures and interactive light installations.