Top ten galleries and museums to inspire the Instagram generation

13^th January 2020

The editorial unit

The editorial unit

13 January 2020

Here in the UK, we are lucky to have both a rich heritage and a vibrant contemporary art scene, and there’s no better place to explore our history and evolving culture through the ages than our world-class galleries and museums. Holidu, the search engine for holiday rentals, has found out which of these revered institutions have been most frequently captured by Instagram users. Here are the top ten.

Tate Modern, London 

Number of hashtags: 1,048,124
Instagram: @tate

Though it was only opened in 2002, with over a million hashtags, this cutting edge contemporary art gallery tops the list. Set within an iconic converted industrial complex on the Southbank encompassing the epic Turbine Hall and the new Blavatnik building to boot, it’s no surprise that this establishment captures both the eye and the imagination.

British Museum, London

Number of hashtags: 544,519 
Instagram: @britishmuseum

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the next most popular institution, the British Museum, dates back to 1759, and houses over seven million objects, one of the most comprehensive collections of international archaeological artefacts in the world.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Number of hashtags: 255,954 
Instagram: @vamuseum

In third place, unsurprisingly, comes a museum that celebrates art, design and all things on-trend. At the Victoria and Albert museum classic meets contemporary, and the exhibits offer something for every taste.

Tate Britain, London

Number of hashtags: 200,161 
Instagram: @tatebritainlondon

The Tate Modern’s sister gallery has on its walls art dating back to the 1500s, with an impressive permanent collection including an extensive Turner catalogue, all hung within a beautiful building worth visiting for the architecture alone.

National Portrait Gallery, London

Number of hashtags: 157,235
Instagram: @nationalportraitgallery

This was the first portrait gallery to be opened in the world during its founding in 1856, and not only does the building house portraits by revered artists, but portraits of iconic figures who have shaped British history.

Beamish Museum, Beamish

Number of hashtags: 106,833
Instagram: @beamish_museum

Beamish might not be anywhere near the cultural hub of London, but it attracts attention because it offers an immersive experience like no other. Visitors can walk around in reconstructions of North East England during the 1840s, 1900s and 1940s, and what’s more, your ticket covers entrance for a whole year.

Natural History Museum, London

Number of hashtags: 45,064
Instagram: @natural_history_museum

This incredible institution is home to over 80 million specimens harking back all the way across the Earth’s 4.5-billion-year history. Even if you haven’t been, you might have heard of the legendary 25.2m Blue Whale skeleton which hangs in the Hintze Hall.

Titanic Belfast, Belfast

Number of hashtags: 38,566
Instagram: @titanicbelfast

Everyone’s heard of the Titanic, but it seems the tragic story is gaining just as much traction as ever in Belfast, where you can find out everything about the disaster, from the planning of the maiden voyage to the sinking and the discovery of the wreckage.

Tate Liverpool, Liverpool

Number of hashtags: 36,648 
Instagram: @tateliverpool

Here’s another Tate you might not have been to. Situated in Liverpool’s iconic Albert Dock, the gallery is in a prime location to take in all that the city has to offer, and has even featured the Turner Prize.

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Number of hashtags: 35,955 
Instagram: @ashmoleanmuseum

Last but certainly not least, the Ashmolean Museum is not only the world’s first university museum (founded by the University of Oxford back in 1683) but also the world’s first public museum. 

The editorial unit