Art History UK

Art History UK Artscapes is a boutique cultural tours company specialising in wide-ranging bespoke itineraries that showcase London and beyond in glorious technicolour.
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Art History UK is a specialist art historical tour company operating in London. We run around four tours a month in London's places of artistic and historical interest. This includes historic houses, streets, museums and galleries. They take place on weekends, evenings and during the week, and last from 1hr45 to the whole day. We aim to inspire, excite and inform our tour-goers, with stories, litt

le known facts and a big dose of humour. Founded by Rose Balston, Art History UK combines fresh enthusiasm with unrivalled knowledge and the desire to share it. We pride ourselves on combining this scholarship with extensive tour guiding experience, attention to detail, juicy tales, conversation, challenging ideas and a fascinating exploration of the hidden corners of London’s past. Testimonials

"AHUK has given me two excellent days opening my eyes to interesting London sights. Rose is a delightful guide, the enthusiasm for her subject is infectious. Her days are planned meticulously; her groups feel both well informed and well looked after at the end of the day." MW (Greenwich)

“I would strongly recommend joining a tour put on by Art History UK…in three brief hours, we were inspired to levels of wonder”
-Mark Hedges, Editor of Country Life

"I came away from our day at Greenwich feeling completely uplifted. Your breadth of knowledge is incredible and your enthusiasm for your subject is infectious - you kept us captivated from beginning to end. Keeping the groups small made it all seem wonderfully personal from our point of view. Your organisation skills are superb as everything worked like clockwork.Thank you enormously for a truly memorable day." GG (Greenwich)

"We loved loved loved our day with Rose on Thursday. She has such a light touch – full of facts and intriguing details; she speaks so easily and engagingly. How lovely it would be to look at the rest of London with her as a guide!"
RS (Georgian/Medieval)

13/02/2019

Dear Friends
We will soon be closing this page down and migrating across to the new Artscapes UK page! Please do join us and follow/like at https://www.facebook.com/artscapesuktours

Artscapes UK is a cultural tours company specialising in wide-ranging bespoke itineraries that showc

So, today is the day that we can finally reveal that after 10 brilliant years as Art History UK, we have now rebranded a...
23/01/2019

So, today is the day that we can finally reveal that after 10 brilliant years as Art History UK, we have now rebranded as 'Artscapes'! We also have a fabulous new website to reflect our new look and extended programme of tours and events. Please do take a look at www.artscapesuk.com

We hope you like it as much as we do!

23/01/2019
Last chance to buy DISCOUNT tickets for our upcoming walking tour! Saturday 5th May | 14.00-15.30 | Sketching the Embank...
01/05/2018

Last chance to buy DISCOUNT tickets for our upcoming walking tour!

Saturday 5th May | 14.00-15.30 | Sketching the Embankment: Steps of the Impressionists.

Pencils at the ready, we’re going to learn how to sketch en plein air. Starting in , we’ll closely examine how 19th century artists created poetic, evocative images of & the , focusing on their brushwork and colour palette. Our chosen guide is not only a brilliant art historian, but also a stunning artist so we’ll meander down to the riverbank to spend the second half of the tour . You’ll leave this tour with your own Impressionist masterpiece – move aside Monet!

Ticket link below:
https://arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/sketching-embankment-steps-impressionists/

Commuters travelling on the new Elizabeth line across London will encounter major new works by Yayoi Kusama and Conrad S...
16/03/2018

Commuters travelling on the new Elizabeth line across London will encounter major new works by Yayoi Kusama and Conrad Shawcross at Liverpool Street as part of the Crossrail art programme!

Check out Crossrail's Art Programme - a cutting-edge project that integrates art and infrastructure! The projects' mission to is promote art for the benefit of the public, by establishing and maintaining a public art programme that will enhance the journeys of the millions of people who will use the Elizabeth line.

//www.crossrail.co.uk/route/art-on-crossrail/

It's International Womens Day on Thursday 8th March! Is there a better way to celebrate than joining us in the Tate next...
02/03/2018

It's International Womens Day on Thursday 8th March! Is there a better way to celebrate than joining us in the Tate next Friday to discuss the role of female artists?!

Roll up, Roll up! Last chance to buy tickets for...

‘Who Does She Think She Is?’: The Art of Feminism | Next Friday 9 March | 18.45-20.00 | Tate Modern

For more info, click ➡️ https://arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/who-does-she-think-she-art-feminism/

What are you doing in London on Saturday? Join us in Tate Britain​ for a stimulating morning tour of the JMW Turner coll...
23/01/2018

What are you doing in London on Saturday? Join us in Tate Britain​ for a stimulating morning tour of the JMW Turner collection. We'll be focusing on his vibrant colour palette and refreshingly loose brushwork.

The Sun is God: A Winter Warmer with JMW Turner | Sat 27 Jan | 10.00-11.30 | Tate Britain | TICKETS ON SALE NOW: https://www.arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/sun-god-winter-warmer-jmw-turner/

A new exhibition at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace has opened 'Charles II (1630 - 1685).From John Michael Wright...
12/12/2017

A new exhibition at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace has opened 'Charles II (1630 - 1685).

From John Michael Wright's monumental portrait of Charles II in his coronation robes and a glittering silver-gilt plate which adorned the high-altar of Westminster Abbey during the King's coronation, to old master paintings, tapestries and spectacular silver-gilt furniture, the exhibition shows the rich material world of Charles II's court and the role of the arts in the re-establishment of the Stuart monarchy...

Book tickets here: https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/whatson/event/813034/Charles-II:-Art-&-Power

Looking for an inspirational and original present for your friends, family or colleagues? With Art History UK's striking...
27/11/2017

Looking for an inspirational and original present for your friends, family or colleagues? With Art History UK's strikingly presented vouchers, you need look no further. These vouchers can be applied to our diverse offering of 2018 Public Art Shots, and with a wide range of tours this imaginative gift will suit everyone.

To illustrate just a snippet of our 2018 programme, tours include The Sun is God: A Winter Warmer with JMW Turner, Tate Britain; 'Love, Fame, Tragedy': Contextualising Picasso', Tate Modern; Starchitecture Through the Ages, The Square Mile; East Meets West: Art of the Islamic World, V&A, and much, much more.

Find out more here: https://arthistoryuk.com/public-tour-vouchers/

The Mystic Nativity| Friday 8 December | 6.45pm-8pm | National Gallery  In this enchanting Public Art Shot, we find ange...
24/11/2017

The Mystic Nativity| Friday 8 December | 6.45pm-8pm | National Gallery

In this enchanting Public Art Shot, we find angels in the gallery sweet and child like, fearsomely frightening while brandishing their swords, incognito and looking like humans, or even in their antecedent form as winged victories of the ancient world. These divine, mythical and often overwhelming creatures have a thrilling story to tell, and have enlivened art throughout the centuries. Join our tour to find out how...

Book tickets here: https://www.arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/mystic-nativity/

It's not even December yet but we're getting jolly excited about our Christmas Public Art Shot! The tour will be led by ...
20/11/2017

It's not even December yet but we're getting jolly excited about our Christmas Public Art Shot! The tour will be led by one of our most engaging and passionate guides, and will focus on Renaissance Angels. Angels are one of the most intriguing elements of Biblical story and the National Gallery is stuffed full of them - wherever you look there will be one flapping their magnificent wings at you!

There are still 6 spaces left for our 'The Mystic Nativity' tour | Friday 8 December | 6.45pm-8pm | National Gallery

Tickets and more info below:
https://arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/mystic-nativity/

Stained Glass Panel with Quarries and a Female Head’, about 1320-4. Showcased as part of the National Gallery's ‘Monochr...
09/11/2017

Stained Glass Panel with Quarries and a Female Head’, about 1320-4. Showcased as part of the National Gallery's ‘Monochrome’ exhibition.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbRhxSRAuVo/?taken-by=arthistoryuk

8 Likes, 2 Comments - on Instagram: “‘Stained Glass Panel with Quarries and a Female Head’, about 1320-4. Showcased as part of the…”

Royal Scandal & Courtly Capers at the NPG| Thursday 16 November | 6.45pm - 8pm| National Portrait GalleryDon't miss your...
09/11/2017

Royal Scandal & Courtly Capers at the NPG| Thursday 16 November | 6.45pm - 8pm| National Portrait Gallery

Don't miss your chance to book onto our upcoming Public Art shot all about the juicy gossip and saucy scandals from our beloved Monarchy that have kept the nation intrigued and entertained for years and years...

Spaces limited, book here! https://www.arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/royal-scandal-courtly-capers-npg/

A new exhibition at Tate Modern opens today 'Red Star over Russiaa Revolution in Visual Culture 1905–55'. It is a dramat...
08/11/2017

A new exhibition at Tate Modern opens today 'Red Star over Russia
a Revolution in Visual Culture 1905–55'. It is a dramatic visual history of Russia and the Soviet Union from 1905 to the death of Stalin - seen through the eyes of artists, designers and photographers.

Buy tickets here: http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/red-star-over-russia

The Mystic Nativity| Friday 8 December | 6.45pm-8pm | National Gallery Angels are one of the most intriguing elements of...
08/11/2017

The Mystic Nativity| Friday 8 December | 6.45pm-8pm | National Gallery

Angels are one of the most intriguing elements of Biblical story and the Gallery is stuffed full of them - wherever you look there will be one flapping their magnificent wings at you. Join us on our next Public Art Shot as we take a magical mystery tour around the gallery and get swept away with the Christmas spirit...

Book tickets here! https://www.arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/mystic-nativity/

Royal Scandal & Courtly Capers at the NPG| Thursday 16 November | 6.45pm - 8pm| National Portrait GalleryTo cover the sc...
02/11/2017

Royal Scandal & Courtly Capers at the NPG| Thursday 16 November | 6.45pm - 8pm| National Portrait Gallery

To cover the scandals that have swirled around the court of the British Monarchy, this Art Shot would need to be several weeks long…however, after a drink in the café, we’ll rollick our way into the most saucy and scandalous of them all....

Only a few places left, book tickets here: https://www.arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/royal-scandal-courtly-capers-npg/

New exhibition opening at The National Gallery is not to be missed 'Monochrome: Painting in Black and White'.With major ...
01/11/2017

New exhibition opening at The National Gallery is not to be missed 'Monochrome: Painting in Black and White'.

With major loans from around the world, and works from the National Gallery Collection, ‘Monochrome’ is a radical new look at what happens when artists cast aside the colour spectrum and focus on the visual power of black, white, and everything in between...

Buy tickets here: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/monochrome-painting-in-black-and-white?tab=1

Discover Asian Art Week| Saturday 4 November | 2.30 - 4.30pm | MayfairAsian Art in London is a globally recognised event...
21/10/2017

Discover Asian Art Week| Saturday 4 November | 2.30 - 4.30pm | Mayfair

Asian Art in London is a globally recognised event that has for the past 20 years attracted top Asian art dealers, prime auction houses and leading museums and institutions, to promote London as a centre of expertise for the finest Asian art, from antique to contemporary. Don't miss your chance to explore the depths of the East End like you've never seen before on our next Public Art Shot...

Buy tickets here: https://www.arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/discover-asian-art-week/

A new exhibition opens at The British Library today all about Harry Potter!See the gargantuan 16th–century Ripley Scroll...
20/10/2017

A new exhibition opens at The British Library today all about Harry Potter!

See the gargantuan 16th–century Ripley Scroll that explains how to create a Philosopher’s Stone. Gaze at Sirius in the night sky as imagined by medieval astronomers. Encounter hand-coloured pictures of dragons, unicorns and a phoenix rising from the flames....
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone with this extraordinary new addition to J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World.

Book tickets here! https://www.bl.uk/events/harry-potter-a-history-of-magic

New exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery opens today 'Soutine’s Portraits: Cooks, Waiters & Bellboys'.This exhibition bri...
19/10/2017

New exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery opens today 'Soutine’s Portraits: Cooks, Waiters & Bellboys'.

This exhibition brings together an outstanding group of portraits by Chaïm Soutine (1893-1943). Soutine was one of the leading painters in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s and was seen by many as the heir to Vincent van Gogh!

Buy tickets here: http://courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/what-on/exhibitions-displays

Royal Scandal & Courtly Capers at the NPG| Thursday 16 November | 6.45pm - 8pm| National Portrait Gallery From King Henr...
16/10/2017

Royal Scandal & Courtly Capers at the NPG| Thursday 16 November | 6.45pm - 8pm| National Portrait Gallery

From King Henry VIII’s shameful power-wielding penchant for disposing of his wives to the scandal that erupted around Queen Victoria and game-keeper John Brown, we will travers our way through the juicy gossip of our royal history in this revealing and exciting Public Art Shot.

Book tickets here! https://arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/royal-scandal-courtly-capers-npg/

'S*x and Death: The Cycle of Life at the British Museum' | Friday 20 October | 6.30 - 8.00pm | British Museum There are ...
13/10/2017

'S*x and Death: The Cycle of Life at the British Museum' | Friday 20 October | 6.30 - 8.00pm | British Museum

There are only 3 places left on our next Public Art Shot all about s*x and death. Don't miss your chance to book onto this tantalising tour around the British Museum and look at it in a revealing new light...

Tickets selling fast, book here: https://www.arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/s*x-and-death-cycle-life-british-museum/

New exhibition opens today at the Royal Academy of arts: 'Dalí/Duchamp'. Take another look at two artistic giants: fathe...
07/10/2017

New exhibition opens today at the Royal Academy of arts: 'Dalí/Duchamp'. Take another look at two artistic giants: father of conceptual art Marcel Duchamp, and larger-than-life Surrealist Salvador Dalí. This is the first exhibition to throw light on their surprising relationship and its influence on the work of both artists...

Book tickets here! https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/dali-duchamp

'S*x and Death: The Cycle of Life at the British Museum' | Friday 20 October | 6.30 - 8.00pm | British Museum  Join us a...
06/10/2017

'S*x and Death: The Cycle of Life at the British Museum' | Friday 20 October | 6.30 - 8.00pm | British Museum

Join us as we take an expedition of discovery through the British Museum, visiting lesser known galleries to see powerful exhibits that challenge and provoke, as well as the much loved and revered spaces. On this rollercoaster tour we'll travel from the debauch to the pure, to the devastation of war and enlightenment of spiritual eternity. This poignant and enriching tour is the perfect way to start your weekend!

Tickets selling fast, book here: https://arthistoryuk.com/public-tours/s*x-and-death-cycle-life-british-museum/

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+442076023716

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Art History UK is now Artscapes!

From day and evening tours to extended trips, our wide-ranging programmes are designed for those who want to get under the skin of one of the world’s most dynamic and cultural hotspots – London. Itineraries range from in-depth explorations of London’s history of art and architecture, to children’s treasure hunts, artistic workshops, art inspired gastronomy and musical concerts. We are well-known for combining disciplines, and love putting history, art, theatre, food, wine and music all together in one fabulous cultural mix.

We work with clients who expect the best, including discerning groups of local and international travellers, corporate clients, students, museum groups and clubs and societies.

Artscapes was founded in 2009 (originally as Art History UK), by Rose Balston, art historian and TV presenter. With her wealth of experience and fantastic network within the UK art world, Rose has built an enviable ‘little black book’ of contacts and fabulous guides. With charisma, passion and the desire to share their exceptional knowledge, Artscapes’ guides are carefully matched to groups to give all our clients a unique and unforgettable cultural experience. Testimonials "AHUK has given me two excellent days opening my eyes to interesting London sights. Rose is a delightful guide, the enthusiasm for her subject is infectious. Her days are planned meticulously; her groups feel both well informed and well looked after at the end of the day." MW (Greenwich) “I would strongly recommend joining a tour put on by Art History UK…in three brief hours, we were inspired to levels of wonder” -Mark Hedges, Editor of Country Life "I came away from our day at Greenwich feeling completely uplifted. Your breadth of knowledge is incredible and your enthusiasm for your subject is infectious - you kept us captivated from beginning to end. Keeping the groups small made it all seem wonderfully personal from our point of view. Your organisation skills are superb as everything worked like clockwork.Thank you enormously for a truly memorable day." GG (Greenwich) "We loved loved loved our day with Rose on Thursday. She has such a light touch – full of facts and intriguing details; she speaks so easily and engagingly. How lovely it would be to look at the rest of London with her as a guide!" RS (Georgian/Medieval)