Serpentine

Founded in 1970, the galleries consist of two distinct spaces: Serpentine South (formerly the Serpentine Gallery) and Serpentine North (formerly the Serpentine Sackler Gallery). Both galleries are a five-minute walk from each other across Serpentine Bridge, with Serpentine North located just northeast of the Serpentine and Serpentine South just southwest of the Serpentine.

Serpentine is not to be confused with the Serpentine, the lake in the middle of the park that separates the two galleries. If there is a definite article, it’s the lake, no definite article then it’s the two galleries.

What to see at Serpentine

Serpentine displays a diverse and thought-provoking array of contemporary art exhibitions and installations.

Past exhibitions at the Serpentine Gallery have featured works by internationally acclaimed artists such as Yoko Ono, Grayson Perry and Marina Abramović, among others

Serpentine North

Serpentine North, formerly known as the Serpentine Sackler Gallery, is Grade II* listed building, built in 1805 as a gunpowder magazine. The building remained a military installation until 1963 and was opened as an art gallery in 2010.

Serpentine South

Serpentine South, formerly known simply as the Serpentine Gallery, is the more established of the two, having been opened in 1970. It is housed in a Grade II listed building that was built as a tea pavilion in 1933–1934.

Pavilions

A unique feature of the Serpentine Galleries is its annual Serpentine Pavilion commission, which invites an architect or design team to create a temporary pavilion in Kensington Gardens. These pavilions, known for their innovative design and architectural significance, serve as focal points for public engagement with art and architecture.

The Serpentine Pavilion 2024 (7 June–27 October 2024), designed by Mass Studies, breaks from tradition by dispersing smaller, adaptable structures around the Serpentine South lawn instead of a singular central pavilion. Dubbed Archipelagic Void, the pavilion consists of five unique islands, each varying in size, height and form, constructed primarily of timber. These structures, supported by adaptable footings, are joined by a steel ring forming an oculus to draw in natural light. Reflecting traditional Korean architecture, the layout emphasises connectivity and diverse functionality, with designated areas including a gallery, auditorium, library, play tower and tea house.

Temporary exhibitions at Serpentine

Serpentine hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Judy Chicago: Revelations (Serpentine North)
American artist, Judy Chicago (born in 1939), gained prominence in the late 1960s for her woman-centered perspective, challenging the male-dominated art world. Her work, spanning six decades, addresses themes like birth, masculinity and climate justice, contesting the absence of women in the Western cultural canon. The exhibition (until 1 September 2024), named after her unpublished manuscript from the 1970s, explores her career thematically, focusing on drawing and showcasing archival artworks, preparatory studies and participatory elements, offering insight into Chicago’s multifaceted practice.

Yinka Shonibare CBE: Suspended States (Serpentine South)
The Suspended States exhibition (until 1 September 2024) examines the concept of psychological, physical and geographical boundaries, challenging notions of nationhood amid rising nationalism. With over 30 years of artistic exploration, this solo exhibition showcases new works tackling power dynamics in refuge sites, debates on public statues and the ecological impact of colonialism. Shonibare’s use of Dutch wax print symbolises the complex Africa-Europe relationship while addressing xenophobia, the legacy of colonisation and the global significance of African art.

Atta Kwami: Maria Lassnig Prize Mural (Serpentine North)
In collaboration with the Maria Lassnig Foundation, Serpentine unveils a public mural by Atta Kwami (1956–2021), celebrating his multidisciplinary career spanning four decades. Originating from a canvas reworked in 2021, the mural titled Dzidzɔ kple amenuveve (Joy and Grace), reflects Kwami’s vibrant style and influences from Northern Ghanaian art traditions. Designed in dialogue with the North Gallery Garden, the mural is painted on wood by artist Pamela Clarkson and designer Andy Philpott, honouring Kwami’s legacy as a pioneering artist. The mural is on display until 30 September 2024.

Visiting Serpentine

The Serpentine Galleries are in Kensington Gardens just off West Carriage Drive, which forms the border between Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. The two galleries are around a five-minute walk apart on either side of the Serpentine Bridge with Serpentine North located just northeast of the Serpentine and Serpentine South just southwest of the Serpentine.

Lancaster Gate tube station (on the Central line) is around a 10-minute walk from Serpentine North and High Street Kensington, Knightsbridge, Queensway and South Kensington stations are also within walking distance from both galleries. Bus routes 9, 52 and 452 stop outside Royal Albert Hall, around a six-minute walk from Serpentine South.

Serpentine is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) and admission to both galleries is free of charge.

The Magazine restaurant in the stunning Zaha Hadid-designed extension to Serpentine North is one of London’s best museum restaurants and Serpentine’s location in the middle of a large park means that there are not a lot of other places to eat and drink in the immediate area. However, the vast expanse of parkland surrounding the two galleries makes it a perfect place for a picnic.