I found my way to one of the most wonderful museums on my second to last day in London. The Courtauld Gallery is not far from Bloomsbury, located in Somerset House, and it was the destination for me this morning.
I got up early with a plan to walk for a bit, find a place to grab coffee on the way, then catch a bus if necessary to get to the gallery.
Somerset House was a beautiful property, and I arrived before the museum opened. I had a nice chat with a security guard who was very friendly. I also walked around and explored the grounds of Somerset House which had some interior areas open to walk through. There seemed to be spaces dedicated for creating art that were fairly open to anyone to walk in. After exploring, I found a spot in the courtyard, enjoyed some sun, and watched the water fountain as I waited for the museum to open.
There is an admissions fee for this museum, and it was definitely worth the price! This was an amazing collection of art including some well known Renoir paintings I recognized instantly. The gallery is also laid out in multiple floors, with a grand staircase beneath an atrium, so I found walking through the gallery space just an enjoyable as seeing the exhibits.
There were no crowds either, so it was a relaxing time to just take my time and enjoy. Here is a sampling of some of my favorite pieces from this gallery.
