Serpentine Galleries

The Serpentine Galleries, established in 1970, are two free galleries for modern and contemporary art. Situated five minutes walk from each other on either side of the Serpentine Bridge the galleries show both emerging and established artists. During the summer months the Serpentine Pavilion, an additional building in front of the South Gallery, showcases the annual international architectural commission.

Serpentine South Gallery

Serpentine South Gallery - Tea Pavilion

The Serpentine South Gallery is housed in a classical 1934 tea pavilion, located in Kensington Gardens.

The gallery displays permanent and visiting exhibitions, holds talks and events, including film showings and educational programs. Many famous artists have exhibited there including, Henry Moore, Damien Hirst, Paula Rego, Andy Warhol and Anish Kapoor.

Diana, Princess of Wales was a Patron of the Serpentine Gallery and in the grounds there is a permanent memorial to her by the Scottish artist and gardener Ian Hamilton Finlay, CBE. There is renowned art bookshop in the entrance.

Serpentine Pavilion and Gallery

An important event for the Serpentine Gallery is the annual ‘pavilion on the lawn’ exhibition. The Gallery commissions leading international architects of worldwide acclaim to design a pavilion that provides a unique showcase for contemporary architectural practice. Each summer there is a new pavilion to explore.

Serpentine Sackler Gallery

Serpentine North (Sackler) Gallery - The Magazine

The Serpentine Sackler Gallery, situated on the north bank of the Long Water, brought the unusual Grade II listed 'gunpowder' building into public use for the first time in its 206-year history. Opened in 2013, the Sackler Gallery is the refurbishment and re-use of the The Magazine, a former munitions depot and gunpowder store. Rejuvenated by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid.

Zaha Hadid, who has also won the 2010 RIBA Stirling Prize for best new building in Europe, designs and plans were accepted by The Royal Parks as part of their Better Buildings Programme. The transformation provided an additional 900sqm of exhibition space included a playscape for children, café/restaurant and landscaped gardens.

Serpentine Pavilion and South Gallery

Serpentine Pavilion 2021

Serpentine Pavilion, situated in front of the South Gallery, is a temporary building hosting live programmes and events, open in the summer from June to October. The Serpentine’s annual architectural commission showcases a temporary building by an international renowned architect, for 2021 the selected designed was by Counterspace.

Visitor Infomation

Serpentine Galleries and summer Pavilion are open to the public and free to enter.

Further information:

Serpentine North and South Galleries