South London Gallery

The South London Gallery has an international reputation for its programme of contemporary art exhibitions and live art events, with integrated education projects for children, young people and adults. The South London Fine Art Gallery opened on 4 May 1891 and was founded as a 'gallery for the people of south London open to the public free, and on Sundays'. It showed a changing programme of fine and applied arts exhibitions and began to collect works of art including many relating to the local area. It is one of the favourite London tourist destinations. London bus tours are the perfect way to sit back, relax and enjoy the sights of London.

The South London Gallery collection began with the inception of the gallery in 1891. It has grown over the gallery's lifetime and includes works by Modern British artists, a collection of more than 500 20th century prints and contemporary works relating to South London. Although the collection is not on permanent display it is it is a valuable resource for projects with schools allowing pupils hands on experience of contemporary works of art.

Five exhibitions each year profile the work of established international figures such as Tom Friedman, Mark Dion, Rivane Neuenschwander, Alfredo Jaar and Superflex; as well as that by younger and mid-career British artists such as Eva Rothschild and Ryan Gander. Group shows bring together works by established and lesser known British and international artists. The gallery’s live art and film programme has included presentations by Rachel Gomme, Nathaniel Mellors, Gail Pickering, OMSK and Gisele Vienne, and occasional large scale off-site projects have included those by On Kawara in Trafalgar Square in 2004, and Chris Burden at Chelsea College of Art Parade Ground in 2006.


The South London Gallery conducts exhibitions, live art and film, education programmes,events for children and family etc.The SLG shows five exhibitions per year in its main space and another five in a suite of three domestic scale galleries in the Matsudaira Wing.  Solo and group shows present new works by British and international artists at different stages in their careers. The SLG’s live art & film programme is an integral part of its visual arts programme presenting an expanded reflection on performance art through event-based projects involving performance, dance, music, film and video. The South London Gallery runs a rich and exciting programme of events for children and families. Free drop-in workshops during school holidays are themed around current exhibitions and are open to all. They provide engaging, fun and an informal space for families to relax together at the gallery. Soane education programmes Education programmes are suitable for any ages and ability.

Visit London and its famous attractions in an open top bus tours and enjoy the hop on and hop off during your tour.

Visitor Information:

Sir John Soane's Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10-5pm when admission is free*.
There is a special candlelit opening on the first Tuesday evening of each month, 6-9pm.
There is a Museum tour each Saturday at 11.00am; tickets are on sale from 10.30am and cost £5.

Exhibitions and many of the SLG’s events are free, and the gallery and café are open late until 9pm on Wednesday evenings.