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Tate Britain's Clore Garden first-look designs revealed

  • Writer: maxwell museums
    maxwell museums
  • May 17
  • 2 min read

Updated: May 22

A green makeover is coming to Tate Britain.


Opening in 2026 will be the brand new Clore Garden, a totally overhauled outdoor landscape around the Millbank gallery. The project is a partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).


To get a flavour of what the garden will look like, Tate have unveiled the first-look designs.


Developed by landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith Studio and architects Feilden Fowles, the plans will involve replacing the two under-used and uninspiring lawns at the front of the building.


Neoclassical Tate Britain building with columns, red banners reading "Tate Britain," trees, and people walking nearby under a clear blue sky.
Designs for the Tate Britain Clore Garden. Image courtesy of Tom Stuart-Smith Studio

A new inviting green space of rich varied foliage will be created instead, which is designed to complement and enhance the gallery’s neoclassical architecture and to withstand the UK’s changing climate.



Working in close consultation with the RHS and drawing on its plant research and advisory and community outreach work, Stuart-Smith will select a wide variety of plant species that are planned to be enjoyed year-round, from magnolias and blossom in spring, to seed heads and evergreens in winter.


This organic pattern of luxuriantly planted spaces will mix with a network of fully accessible pathways for visitors to explore. There’ll also be a reimagined café terrace and a freestanding classroom. There’ll be space for outdoor programmes, talks and activities too, and a brand new pond.


People enjoying a lush garden at Tate Britain, with blooming flowers by a historic building. Trees and greenery create a serene, natural setting.
Designs for the Tate Britain Clore Garden. Image courtesy of Tom Stuart-Smith Studio

Perhaps most excitingly for art-lovers, sculptures by famous British artists from Tate’s collection will be integrated throughout the landscape.


The whole project has been made possible by a large grant from the Clore Duffield Foundation. The Foundation is one of the UK’s most high-profile philanthropic organisations, and it celebrated its 60th anniversary last year by giving away a huge £30m in grants for cultural projects across the UK. Tate’s garden was one of the lucky recipients, but others included Paisley Museum, the Natural History Museum and Kensington Palace.


People walk and sit in a lush garden outside Tate Britain's grand, historic building with columns. "Tate Britain" is visible on banners. Cloudy sky above.
Designs for the Tate Britain Clore Garden. Image courtesy of Tom Stuart-Smith Studio

The Clore Garden will be “a significant green space uniting art and nature and encouraging biodiversity” according to Tate Britain’s director Alex Farquharson.


“We are enormously excited to share a first look at designs” Farquharson said. “These sumptuous, innovative designs demonstrate the role museums can play in our cities, places where contemplation and relaxation can go hand in hand with joy and creativity. We hope the garden will offer new ways to engage with Tate’s Collection, for both visitors and local residents alike.”


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