Question about visiting the Royal Academy?

[deermi]

We live in London, so have been to most of the free museums and galleries, but we've never been to the Royal Academy, so I was thinking of visiting with my 16yo son. We're not heavily into art, but just like to browse around a free gallery now and again for a day out. Looking at the website, it seems to have some free collections and a ticketed exhibition, but it said that the ticketed exhibition is in the "main" gallery. My question is, are the free collections substantial enough to warrant a 1+ hour visit on their own, or might we be in and out in 10 minutes?

I don't know but don't talk to David Attenborough if you see him.

It’s an interesting place to walk around. Haven’t been since the pandemic but the free collections tended to be a room or so.
If you email them they should contact you to advise.

The ticketed exhibitions usually take up the bulk of the space. Best to wait until there is a show you want to see - and the Summer Exhibition is always interesting.

Wouldn’t bother unless there’s a specific exhibition you don’t mind paying for.

😂

I love the Royal Academy as I'm a massive art fan but the ticketed shows are the main attraction. The William Kenrridge show at the moment is brilliant.

There's very little else to see outside of the ticketed galleries.
Tate Britain free collections are great.

Thanks all. You've confirmed my suspicion. I guess that's why we've never been!

We went yesterday! One free gallery - 10 minutes, but it’s a great building and the sculptures are interesting. We combined with a trip to hatchards and fortnum ice cream parlour. Lovely couple of hours.

I drove past Somerset House the other day and it looks like they have a new exhibition there on monsters or something. Might be worth checking out.