Royal Academy of Arts Burlington Gardens

Britain’s first art school was founded in 1768 and moved to the extravagantly Palladian Burlington House a century later. It is now best known for the galleries. Expect to pay for blockbusters (like 2008’s popular ‘From Russia’ show) in the Sackler Wing or main galleries, while shows in the John Madejski Fine Rooms are drawn from the RA’s holdings – ranging from Constable to Hockney – and are free. The Royal Academy’s biggest event is the Summer Exhibition, which for more than two centuries has drawn from works entered by the public as well its Royal Academicians. The nozzles of the courtyard fountain are layed out to match the position of the stars and planets on the night in 1723 when Sir Joshua Reynolds, artist and RA Founding President, was born.