London’s possibly the Art Mecca of the modern world and if you’re coming down anytime soon, there are plenty of galleries to explore, about 800 of them in total! And of course, the city’s also got a staggering 170+ art museums, with everything from the National Gallery to the Tate Britain and Tate Modern. But that’s not all there is to it; you’ll find several fascinating hidden London art galleries worth exploring on your trip. This article looks at some of these unique hidden spaces that are a veritable treat for any art lover or connoisseur. Let’s dive deeper into them below.
Hidden Art Galleries Worth Checking Out
Yes you’ve got the National Art Gallery London and many other popular landmarks to explore. But what about going off the beaten trail and finding some of the city’s most intriguing hidden galleries? Sounds fun right? You bet! Here’s a list worth checking out before your visit.
The Crypt Gallery (Euston)
One of the city’s most unique exhibition spaces, it hosts several arts events, book launches, and performances round the year. Opening times vary as per the exhibition in question and interestingly, this was once the Crypt of St Pancras Parish Church for burials from 1822-1854. Thereafter, it became an air raid shelter during the World Wars and finally a gallery space in 2002. This gallery is dedicated to 21st century contemporary art in London and also from across the world.
The Horse Hospital (Bloomsbury)
It’s a not-for-profit Grade-II listed independent venue for the arts at Colonnade, Bloomsbury, neatly tucked away in the heart of central London. You’ll find several fascinating underground exhibitions and movie screenings here, with the focus being on sub-cultures, counter-cultural histories, emerging artists and outsiders. In fact, you’ll also love the historic building that dates back to 1797 and was originally meant to serve sick horses of cab drivers.
Zabludowicz Collection (Camden)
It’s a philanthropic organization that showcases a fast-increasing line-up of contemporary art, while hosing multiple global exhibitions and even artists’ residencies. Founded back in 1994, it’s an amazing venue for artists, art programs, curators, and enthusiasts, while being free to access. There have already been 100+ free exhibitions and 640+ free performances and events till date. You can also enjoy the 360 Virtual Reality Room to experience VR artwork in a stunning way or participate in the Master Class professional development program for artists. There’s also a Curatorial Testing Program available.
The Gallery of Everything (Marylebone)
It’s one of the first commercial independent art galleries in London that showcases creators and artists who fall beyond the mainstream cultural spheres. You’ll find plenty of exhibitions throughout the year, with self-taught, art Brut, vernacular, spiritualist, and other non-academic material from the 19th century till the modern times. A venture by the Museum of Everything non-profit entity and the world’s first travelling museum for artists and makers, it also offers art fairs, talks, readings and more.
White Cube Mason’s Yard (St James’s)
Yet another hidden wonder nestled in a prime London location, this one’s as diverse as it gets! Timings are usually 10 AM-6 PM and there are no admission charges, while you get to explore the lovely basement and ground-floor galleries. There is an eclectic collection of exhibitions, ranging from Fields by Alia Ahmad to Witness by Antony Gormley, to name just a few.
Gasworks (Vauxhall)
Gasworks is a non-profit gallery in south London that has backed 600+ artists from 80+ countries since its inception in 1994. It commissions and produces diverse exhibitions by underrepresented and emerging artists with several residencies and subsidized studios for creators. You’ll find several interesting exhibitions here that give a voice to emerging names.
Doomed Gallery (Dalston)
Don’t go by the name! It’s a visual exhibition and photography space in Dalston that collaborates with professional artists, photographers, visual artists, and students. An independent publishing house was also launched in 2014 by the gallery. More than 300 exhibitions have taken place ever since it was founded in 2011. There are several events held here throughout the year as well.
Newport Street Gallery (Vauxhall)
Newport Street Gallery has an interesting line-up of exhibitions for art lovers to discover, right Raging Planet to The Power and Glory, among just a few. It offers exhibitions of acclaimed work from the art collection of Damien Hirst. You will unearth numerous group and solo shows while getting free admission to the gallery. It is the culmination of Hirst’s goal of sharing his collection with the general public and covers 37,000 sq. ft. with six exhibition spaces over two levels.
Cabinet Gallery (Vauxhall)
Another interesting gallery in Vauxhall, this one hosts several interesting exhibitions like R.I.P Germain Anti-Blackness Is Bad, Even The Parts We Like and many others. You’ll find the collections interesting and eclectic, to say the least!
Auto Italia South East (Bethnal Green)
This one ‘s also one of the top hidden London art galleries that you should not miss, known for its unique exhibitions, live work, performances, international touring projects, and creative learning programs. Artists are supported through various innovative projects, commissions, and more. Discover this space in the London Borough called Tower Hamlets and it is supported by the Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. It was founded back in 2007 by artists who were working, living, and programming exhibitions from a garage in Peckham.
Extra Art Spots and Pop-Ups
If you thought that’s all, there’s more to relish! Beyond hidden galleries and venues, there’s a whole world of pop-up exhibitions and other extra spots waiting to welcome you. Let’s take a closer look at the same.
- Pop-Up Exhibitions– You’ll always find plenty of pop-up exhibitions in London. Check platforms like ArtRabbit, Eventbrite, The Nudge London, New Exhibitions, and Time Out for more information.
- Warehouse Art Spaces– These cover almost all of London, including The Cause and Studio Spaces’ Warehouse Studio, to name a few. Then there’s the Artist Palace Warehouse Loft and Dock X, with its 3,186 square metres of space for events, Drumsheds, Crozier Fine Arts, and a lot more.
- Seasonal art events– Keep an eye on ArtRabbit and other platforms for news of seasonal art events that run in London from time to time. In March this year, for instance, there is the National Gallery exhibition Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300-1350 and the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, Young Artists’ Summer Show 2025, London Sculpture Week, and more.
Best Areas to Stay for Exploring London’s Hidden Art Galleries
Of course, when it comes to checking out these hidden art galleries in London, you’ll have to choose the right places to stay. This will help you easily these spaces without long travelling times or commuting worries. Some of the top places to stay include Shoreditch, Marylebone, Vauxhall, South Bank, Notting Hill, or Fitzrovia. These places are famous for their vibrant and engaging art circuits and access to multiple galleries and museums.
Other places include Hoxton, Camden, Soho, Covent Garden, Primrose Hill, Little Venice, and more. You can check out vacation apartments in London in these areas, which offer flexible long and short-term leases along with home-like comfort, hotel-like service and amenities, and of course, more space and privacy than traditional hotels. TheSqua.re is a great place to find the best serviced apartments at reasonable rates (especially for extended stays) in London.
Tips for Finding Hidden Art in London
Yes you’ve got the deets on hidden art galleries, pop-ups, and seasonal exhibitions. But there’s a lot more to do if you’re truly looking to find hidden art in London. The first thing to do is follow local art blogs and Instagram pages of artists’ collectives, galleries, communities, etc. It will help you know more about upcoming exhibitions and independent showcases. The next thing is to visit during quieter hours on weekdays, in order to have an immersive and quiet experience without crowds or other disturbances.
Of course, you’re best off looking for artist-run and independent galleries and there are plenty of them in London. It will expose you to several fascinating sub-cultures and countercultures that often delve far beyond the mainstream.
Conclusion
So, now that you’ve taken a closer look at some of the top hidden London art galleries, make sure you create your own list before your trip. They are all worth visiting for their unique collections, diverse artist line-ups, and innovative areas of focus. Go beyond the mainstream and popular art spots and check out these hidden gems. They will definitely be worth it if you truly love art and are fascinated by it!
Here’s to finding amazing hidden art spots that delight you immensely. Happy hunting!
And yes, if you’ve already chanced upon some hidden art gems, do share them with us so that more people get to know about these marvels!
