Exciting museum & gallery exhibitions in London

Treat your soul to some of the excellent artworks and national treasures on offer in the Big Smoke with our roundup of top museum and gallery exhibitions taking place in London over the next few months.

Ancient Lives: New Discoveries, British Museum, 22 May – 12 Jul 

Connect with a different time with a visit to this fascinating exhibition, featuring eight miraculously preserved individuals from ancient Egypt and Sudan. From the mummified daughter of a high-ranking, Egyptian priest to a young child from the Roman period, these unusual individuals have fascinating stories to tell.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, Victoria and Albert Museum, 12 Mar – 14 Aug

Get a gorgeous dose of high fashion at the first retrospective of designer extraordinaire Alexander McQueen. Savage Beauty collects a huge swathe of the late designer’s work to create an exhibition that spans his career from the early days of his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection. Expect the kind of spectacle and glamour synonymous with his unique style.

The Alice Look, V&A Museum of Childhood, 2 May – 1 Nov 

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Lewis Caroll’s fabulous Alice in Wonderland, this exhibition takes a look at the way his flight of the imagination became part of our cultural consciousness. There’s a particular focus on fashion and the way Alice’s instantly recognisable style has inspired designers all over the world.

Sonia Delaunay, Tate Modern, 15 Apr – 9 Aug

For another fantastic glimpse at high fashion, check out this exhibition of the work of Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979). A key figure in the Parisian avant-garde, Delaunay became recognised as an abstract artist and innovator throughout Europe and this will be the first UK retrospective, showcasing many highlights from her 60-year career.

What is Luxury?, V&A Science Museum, 25 Apr – 27 Sep

What would it really mean to live if the lap of luxury? This interesting exhibition attempts to answer that question with a carefully selected collection of items that could be deemed luxurious – from beautifully handcrafted watches to headphone jacks. Find out what luxury could look like in years to come.

Defining Beauty, The British Museum, 26 Mar – 5 July 

Immerse yourself in the art and creations that defined ancient Greece at this enlightening exhibit. Defining Beauty: The Body in Ancient Greek Art focuses on the ways Greek artists treated the human form to create some of the most iconic statues and carvings still enjoyed today. Comprising of everything from prehistoric figures to highly realistic renderings from the period of Alexander the Great, it’s a beautiful exhibition to explore.

What’s your hot London ticket this summer?