London cab drivers to get free entry to Tate Britain’s most anticipated exhibition of the year

Tate is inviting London’s taxi drivers to see its once-in-a-generation autumn exhibition Turner and Constable for free.

The exhibition celebrates JMW Turner (1775-1851) and John Constable (1776-1837), the two artists who are widely considered to be Britain’s greatest, on the 250th anniversary of their births. It runs at Tate Britain, Millbank from 27 November 2025 to 12 April 2026.

London’s iconic cab drivers, who regularly trace the routes that Turner and Constable walked, from Turner’s birthplace in Covent Garden, to Hampstead, where Constable lived and painted, will be able to visit the Tate Britain exhibition for free by showing their licensed London taxi badge or TfL Private Hire ID on arrival.

A much-anticipated opportunity to see the artists’ most important works side by side, Turner and Constable reveals the ways they were celebrated, criticised and pitted against each other, painting some of the most iconic images of the natural world ever created. The exhibition will feature key works including Constable’s The White Horse 1819 and Turner’s The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons 1835 which have not been displayed in Britain for decades.

Cab drivers have played an important role in Tate’s history, from helping to put Tate Modern on the map when it opened 25 years ago, to working with drivers across Merseyside to initiate conversations with their passengers about the Turner Prize at Tate Liverpool.

Alex Farquharson, Director of Tate Britain, said: “By launching this major new show at Tate Britain, we hope every schoolchild, family, and tourist will have the opportunity to see these nationally significant artworks that are part of our shared heritage, at Tate Britain, the home of British art. London’s cab drivers have been supporting Tate since we opened in 1897 so there’s no one better placed to spread the word about this unmissable exhibition. We’re delighted to be offering them the chance to experience it.”

NOTES

Turner and Constable: Rivals and Originals is in partnership with LVMH. Supported by the Huo Family Foundation and James Bartos. With additional support from the Turner and Constable Exhibition Supporters Circle, Tate Americas Foundation and Tate Members. Research is supported by the Manton Historic British Art Scholarship Fund. The exhibition is curated by Amy Concannon, Manton Senior Curator, Historic British Art, with Nicole Cochrane, Assistant Curator, Historic British Art (1790–1850) and Bethany Husband, Exhibitions Assistant.

Tate Members get unlimited free entry to all Tate exhibitions. Become a Member at tate.org.uk/members. Everyone aged 16-25 can visit all Tate exhibitions for £5 by joining Tate Collective. To join for free, visit tate.org.uk/tate-collective.

For press requests, email pressoffice@tate.org.uk

To download press images, visit Tate’s Dropbox.

Listings information

Turner and Constable: Rivals and Originals

27 November 2025 – 12 April 2026

Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

Open daily 10:00 – 18:00

Tickets available at tate.org.uk and +44(0)20 7887 8888

Free for Members. Join at tate.org.uk/members

About LVMH Corporate Philanthropy

The 75 Maisons of the LVMH Group represent a unique heritage, often centuries old, deeply rooted in French and Western culture. LVMH Maisons are resolutely future-facing and continually reinvent themselves, drawing on their rich legacy or heritage and savoir-faire. Intimately engaged with French culture, arts and creative talents, LVMH has for over 30 years been an active partner to the world of culture, with an emphasis on access for the widest possible audience. The Group pursues corporate philanthropy initiatives in support of artistic, intellectual and scientific endeavors in France and around the world.

Jean-Paul Claverie, Advisor to Bernard Arnault, Chairman and Chief Executive of LVMH, commented: ‘Tate has long played a vital role in supporting artists and inspiring creativity around the world. LVMH is proud to continue our enduring partnership with Tate by partnering on the landmark Turner and Constable exhibition at Tate Britain. We are honoured to support this major exhibition and contribute to the worldwide celebrations of the 250th birthday of JMW Turner in 2025 and John Constable in 2026 - marking the legacy of two of Britain’s most influential artists.’