About this tour
Follow in the footsteps of Turner and Monet across Westminster and the South Bank, tracing how Parliament's architecture captivated two centuries of painters. This 3-hour walking tour visits working artist studios, the National Gallery's Impressionist collection, and the actual vantage points where Monet painted his famous parliamentary series. An artist guide unpicks the visual obsessions that kept these masters returning to the same riverside subject.
Highlights
- Step inside active studios where contemporary painters work today
- See Turner's dramatic depiction of Parliament burning in 1834
- Stand at Monet's exact Westminster Bridge painting spots
- Explore National Gallery rooms housing the Impressionist holdings
- Learn why Parliament's reflections fascinated multiple generations
- Walk the Thames-side route artists have sketched for centuries
What to expect
Expect a mix of indoor gallery time and outdoor riverside walking. Your artist guide will anchor the tour around two key questions: what drew Turner and Monet to paint Parliament repeatedly, and how do today's studio practitioners engage with the same landscapes. You'll spend roughly equal time in the National Gallery examining brushwork and composition, then outside on the embankment identifying sight-lines and discussing light conditions. The route covers familiar London streets, but the commentary centres on how painters saw—and reimagined—familiar views rather than architectural history alone.
Good to know
Moderate fitness required; the tour involves sustained walking and some stairs in the gallery. Service animals welcome. Public transport stations are nearby if you need to rest or leave early. Wear comfortable shoes and check weather for the outdoor sections.
Frequently asked
- How long does Great Artists : Impressionists, Monet & Private Art Studios take?
- Great Artists : Impressionists, Monet & Private Art Studios runs for approximately 3 hours.
- How much does Great Artists : Impressionists, Monet & Private Art Studios cost?
- Prices start from AUD $1321 per person. Final pricing varies by date, group size and any add-ons — confirmed at checkout via Viator.
- Where does Great Artists : Impressionists, Monet & Private Art Studios run?
- This tour operates around United Kingdom. Specific meeting points and pickup options are listed by the operator at checkout.
- Who runs Great Artists : Impressionists, Monet & Private Art Studios?
- The tour is sold and operated by its supplier through Viator. New Forest National Park earns a small commission on bookings made via the link, which keeps this site free for travellers.
- Is the tour confirmed at the listed price?
- The price shown is the operator's "from" price as of our last sync. Final price, currency conversion, group discounts and cancellation policy are confirmed at checkout — always review before paying.
Tour sold and operated by its supplier via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original New Forest National Park summaries, not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.