Tate Britain is one of the Tate galleries that include Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. It is housed in the Tate's original premises on Millbank on the site of Millbank Prison. The front part of the building was designed by Sidney R. J. Smith with a classical portico and dome behind.
Tate Britain, named after Sir Henry Tate who founded it, was opened on 21 July 1897 and was originally called the National Gallery of British Art. Since then, the building has undergone a number of extensions. The National Gallery of British Art was renamed "Tate Britain", in March 2000 before the launch of Tate Modern. It is now dedicated to the display of historical and contemporary British art. It includes the Clore Gallery of 1987, designed by James Stirling, which houses work by J.M.W. Turner.
Tate Britain and Tate Modern are now connected by a high speed boat along the River Thames. This is decorated with spots, based on paintings of a similar theme by Damien Hirst.
Tate Britain, London
Photo: Adrian Pingstone, in the public domain
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