Serpentine Galleries
Museum Contemporary galleries in London's Kensington Gardens exhibiting commissions
Set in Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine Galleries program contemporary art exhibitions and commissions, including the annual temporary pavilion; visitors come for rotating shows, talks and experimental installations.
The Serpentine Galleries are a pair of contemporary art galleries in Kensington Gardens, London, established as a public exhibition venue in 1970. The institution is known for contemporary exhibitions and a high-profile annual architectural pavilion commission.
The galleries present rotating contemporary art exhibitions in two nearby buildings, with shows typically running for several months and focusing on international contemporary artists. The site programs talks, education projects and film screenings alongside temporary exhibitions.
A distinctive public programme is the summer pavilion on the lawn opposite the galleries - a temporary architectural commission that changes every year and is open to visitors during its season. The lawn pavilion is a short walk from the gallery entrance and often includes public events and performances.
The Serpentine Galleries were created in 1970 to present contemporary art within Kensington Gardens; the organisation later expanded to operate a second nearby exhibition space and the annual pavilion commission. Over time the institution has become known for commissioning new work and for its experimental, year-round public programme.
The galleries sit on the northern edge of Kensington Gardens beside the Serpentine lake in central London, within walking distance of Kensington and Chelsea neighbourhoods and well served by Paddington, Lancaster Gate and South Kensington stations.
- Admission: Admission to the indoor galleries is typically free, while special events or ticketed shows and pavilion events may charge a fee.
- Annual Pavilion: The yearly pavilion is installed on the lawn for a limited season each summer and showcases an invited architect's temporary structure for public use.
What to See #
- Serpentine Gallery: Located in Kensington Gardens, the original gallery occupies a late 19th/early 20th-century pavilion on the edge of the Serpentine lake and hosts the institution's temporary exhibition program.
- Serpentine Sackler / Serpentine South: A second exhibition space across the road provides additional galleries for larger shows and special projects, and is linked to the main gallery's programme of contemporary commissions.
- Serpentine Pavilion (annual commission): An annual temporary pavilion is commissioned each summer and sited on the lawn opposite the galleries; the structure is a short-term architectural commission that changes every year.
How to Get to Serpentine Galleries #
The Serpentine Galleries are located in Kensington Gardens on the edge of Hyde Park in central London. They are about a 10-15 minute walk from Central line stations such as Marble Arch or Lancaster Gate and are well served by local buses that run along Kensington Road and Knightsbridge; on foot from South Kensington is a longer walk across the park. If driving, use Kensington Road/West Carriage Drive and expect limited parking nearby.
Tips for Visiting Serpentine Galleries #
- Check the Serpentine's website before you go and, when the annual Serpentine Pavilion is on display (typically summer), plan to arrive early or late in the day to avoid long queues for the temporary commission.
- Pair a gallery visit with a walk through Kensington Gardens - the Serpentine Galleries are compact and best enjoyed in a short visit followed by time outdoors.
Best Time to Visit Serpentine Galleries #
Visit the Serpentine Galleries on weekday mornings in shoulder seasons or winter to avoid the weekend and summer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Serpentine Galleries #
Serpentine Galleries's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (629 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 62 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 62 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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