Tate Modern

What makes it special

Bankside Power Station burned oil to make electricity until 1981, and Herzog & de Meuron later converted it into the gallery. Its generator hall became the Turbine Hall.

Each commission is built to fill the hall and play with its scale. Past ones include Louise Bourgeois's giant bronze spider, Maman, and Olafur Eliasson's Weather Project, which used mist and artificial sunlight to turn the hall into a glowing sunset. In 2006, Carsten Höller filled it with five large spiral slides that visitors slid down.

The galleries fill two buildings: the old power station building and the Blavatnik Building, an extension by the same architects that added 60 per cent more display space. The collection inside is hung by theme, not by date.

Visiting

Past the bag check at the Turbine Hall entrance on Bankside, the west ramp takes you down into the hall. General entry needs no timed ticket, and this year's commission is the first thing you see.

From the hall, go into the Natalie Bell Building for the collection displays. Only the temporary exhibitions need a ticket, so book those ahead. The Tanks, a separate space for live art, performance, film and video, need none.

Finish in the Blavatnik Building, where a dedicated lift runs from the bottom floor up to Level 10 and a panoramic view across the Thames and London. Level 10 sometimes closes for private events.

Guided or on your own

Free highlights tours of the collection run several times a day, led by volunteers. Each lasts about 45 minutes and starts at the meeting point on Level 2 of the Natalie Bell Building.

A tour suits a first visit, when you want someone to choose the rooms for you; on your own you can stay longer where you like. Tours are sometimes cancelled or changed, so confirm the day's times with the gallery that morning.

Tips

Photography is allowed, but without flash, a tripod or a selfie stick.

Carry a card rather than cash if you will need a locker. The cloakroom has closed, and the only storage is rental lockers on Level 0 of the Blavatnik Building, which take no cash. Anything bigger than airline cabin size cannot come in at all, so leave large bags at your hotel.