Van Gogh in London - Formative Years Abroad Tour

In May 1873, Vincent Van Gogh arrived in London to work at the Covent Garden branch of Dutch art dealer Goupil & Co. He spent nearly three years in England, immersing himself into British culture, visiting galleries and museums in London, and becoming deeply inspired by British literature and art. Join art historian Dr Peter Higginson on this very special tour of London with visits to Van Gogh haunts, including the boarding house where he stayed in South London, and the National Gallery which celebrates its 200th year anniversary with a special Van Gogh exhibition, entitled “Poets & Lovers”.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive independently from 15.00. Evening welcome drink, and a talk by Peter Higginson: ‘Van Gogh in England’. Group dinner this evening at the hotel.

Day 2: National Gallery and Courtauld Gallery
Morning visit to the National Gallery, celebrating its 200^th anniversary in 2024. We start the day with their special once-in-a-century exhibition, ‘Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers’. The exhibition will feature his most spectacular paintings from across the world, some of which are rarely seen in public, along with some of his extraordinary drawings. Free time for lunch (own expense), then walk to the wonderful  Courtauld Gallery to view the Van Gogh paintings there, and those by his contemporaries, Manet, Gauguin, Degas, Cezanne, and Seurat. Evening at leisure.

Day 3: Tate Modern Gallery, Van Gogh House, and the Gladwell Patterson Gallery
Morning visit to the Tate Modern to view Van Gogh paintings and his legacy to modern and contemporary art, including Fauvism, German Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Francis Bacon, David Bomberg and the Camden Town painters. Free time for lunch (own expense).  Next we travel by coach to Van Gogh House, a Grade II listed building in South London where a young Vincent lived from 1873-1874, and was rumoured to have fallen in love with his landlady’s daughter Eugenie during his stay. Take a guided tour of the house to learn about its most famous tenant, and the history and architecture of the house itself,  which supports contemporary artists by hosting events and exhibitions. On our coach back to the hotel, we stop at the Gladwell Patterson Gallery in Knightsbridge, which hosted Van Gogh on his travels after he and Harry Gladwell became friends while working for art dealer Goupils in Paris. We will enjoy a guided tour with one of the Gallery’s owners learning about its history and connection with Vincent Van Gogh. Return to the hotel around 18.00.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 28 passengers.

INCLUDED

• Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Doubletree by Hilton London Kensington Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• First night welcome reception and three-course dinner with wine in the hotel restaurant
• Entry to the Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers exhibition at the National Gallery
• Lecture by Dr Peter Higginson on the first evening
• All guided tours and admissions
• Coach transfers as per the itinerary
• Expert Dr Peter Higginson and tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to the hotel is not included
• Holiday insurance
• Double for sole use supplement 
• Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Doubletree by Hilton London Kensington

Well located, modern four-star Hilton Hotel offering bar, restaurant, fitness centre, and private landscaped garden. The contemporary, comfortable bedrooms include TV, heating, tea and coffee making facilities, WIFI, and private bathroom.

Hotel Website