Serpentine Galleries

Overview

The Serpentine Galleries comprise two exhibition spaces in Kensington Gardens: the original Serpentine Gallery in a 1934 tea pavilion and the Serpentine North (formerly Sackler Gallery) designed by Zaha Hadid. Together they form one of London's most important venues for contemporary art.

Highlights

• Annual Pavilion: Each summer, a world-renowned architect (who has never built in the UK) designs a temporary pavilion on the lawn — a major event in the global architecture calendar.
• Free exhibitions: All shows are free, rotating roughly every 3–4 months with major international artists.
• Park setting: Set amid Kensington Gardens, the galleries make a natural pairing with a walk through Hyde Park.

History

The Serpentine Gallery opened in 1970 in a former tea house built in 1934. The Serpentine North, designed by Zaha Hadid and opened in 2013, was the architect's first permanent building in central London.

Visitor Tips

• Pavilion season: The summer pavilion is free and open June–October — don't miss it.
• Combine: Walk between the two galleries via the bridge over the Serpentine lake.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes per gallery.