Amidst London’s vibrant cultural scene, free exhibitions are most definitely a standout attraction not to be missed. And in this economy, we could always do with a few handy ways to look after the pennies and the pounds! With a diverse array of captivating shows available, one can experience the history of a Victorian masterpiece at the Royal Academy, witness The Vision of Saint Jerome, or see some of the most sought-after contemporary artists that are currently on display in the capital. The choices are truly endless; all without any admission fees! So, here’s our carefully curated guide to the top free exhibitions in London.
1. Arpita Singh: Remembering, Serpentine North Gallery
Remembering is the first solo exhibition of Arpita Singh outside of India, featuring key works selected in close collaboration with the artist from her prolific career, which spans over six decades. Singh emerged in the 1960s, developing a painting practice that combines this surrealist figuration with Indian Court painting narratives.
From pastel-perfect abstraction to large-scale oil painting, her works are intimate portrayals of domestic and inner life, but are also emotional responses to social upheaval and international humanitarian crises.
đź“ŤLocation: Serpentine North Gallerty, West Carriage Drive, London W2 2AR
🚇 Nearest station: Lancaster Gate
đź“… Open until: 27 July 2025
2. Eileen Perrier: A Thousand Small Stories, Autograph Gallery
A Thousand Small Stories is the first-ever retrospective of Eileen Perrier, a London-born photographer whose lens has captured striking images representing community, identity, and togetherness. Perrier’s images are famously intimate and playful, deeply rooted in the everyday and ideas of belonging. Be sure not to miss this one if you’re into photography; you won’t be disappointed!
đź“ŤLocation: Autograph, 1 Rivington Pl, Shoreditch EC2A 3BA.
🚇 Nearest stations: Shoreditch High Street & Old Street
đź“… Open until: 13 September 2025
3. 1880 THAT: Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader, Wellcome Collection
Step into a sharp, playful, and deeply personal exploration of language, power, and Deaf culture at 1880 THAT, the first major London exhibition by Berlin-based artists Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader. The show takes its title from the infamous 1880 Milan Conference, where sign language was banned from Deaf education—a decision that cast a shadow over the community for generations.
đź“ŤLocation: Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE
🚇 Nearest station: Euston Square, Euston, and Warren Street
đź“… Open until: 16 Nov 2026
4. Antony Gormley: Witness Early Lead Works, White Cube
Antony Gormley is famed for his fascinating sculptures, and you can witness them up close and personal at this exciting showcase at White Cube in Mason’s Yard. Initiated and created in the mid-1970s, developed amid the protracted geopolitical tensions of the Cold War, you can stand among the most iconic of the artist’s career–making it an absolute must for his biggest fans or lovers of sculpture.
đź“Ť Location: 25-26 Masons Yard, London SW1Y 6BU, United Kingdom
🚇 Nearest station: Picadilly Circus or Green Park
đź“… Open until: 8 June 2025
5. Giuseppe Penone: Thoughts in the Roots, Serpentine South Gallery
Honouring the artistic beauty found in nature, this must-see exhibition by Giuseppe Penone presents sculpture, drawing, painting, installation, and photography, making it a fabulous multi-media experience. Thoughts in the Roots brings together Penone’s works from 1969 to the present, illustrating his forever-fascination with the interplay between the organic and the artistic. He’s a leading figure in the Arte Povera—an influential movement that emerged in Italy in the 1960s, celebrating the simplicity of natural materials and artistic techniques—so be sure to check it out if you’re an avid culture vulture.
đź“Ť Location: Serpentine South Gallery, Kensington Gardens. London. W2 3XA
🚇 Nearest station: Lancaster Gate
đź“… Open until: 17 Sept 2025
6. Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music, The Barbican
The Barbican Music Library is currently hosting Black Sound London, a special celebration of 100 years of Black British music. From the Southern Syncopated Orchestra to Fuse ODG’s afrobeat hits, this exhibition traces the evolution of the genres that have shaped British culture. Through vintage mixtapes, iconic magazine covers, and fly-posted walls, visitors explore how movements like grime and lovers’ rock reshaped the sound of music forever.
đź“ŤLocation: The Barbican Music Library, Silk St, City of London, London EC2Y 8DS
🚇 Nearest station: Barbican
đź“… Open until: 19 Jul 2025
7. Lines of Feeling: Portrait Drawing Now, National Portrait Gallery
At the National Portrait Gallery, Lines of Feeling celebrates contemporary portrait drawing as an emotive art form. This must-see display highlights innovative techniques, blending the ancient practice with the art of the moment, all while shining a spotlight on the gallery’s recent drawing acquisitions. Expect traditional methods such as pencil and charcoal drawings, with more painterly mediums such as gouache, oil sticks, and even silk thread!
đź“ŤLocation: National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE.
🚇 Nearest station: Leicester Square or Charing Cross
đź“… Open until: 4 January 2026.
8. Art Now: Hylozoic/Desires, Tate Britain
The Art Now gallery at Tate Britain is always a hotbed for what’s next in contemporary art, and this year’s spotlight on Hylozoic/Desires (the duo Himali Singh Soin & David Soin Tappeser) is a mind-bending journey through time and colonial history. It’s immersive, thought-provoking, and totally unlike anything you’ll see in London right now—which sounds like the perfect exhibition if you ask us.
đź“ŤLocation: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, UK
🚇 Nearest station: Pimlico
đź“… Open until: 25 August 2025.
9. The Craft of Carpentry, Japan House
Escape the hustle and bustle of Kensington High Street by stepping into the iconic Japanese House, currently exhibiting a serene showcase of Japanese woodworking entitled The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests. Highlights include intricate kigumi joinery, a full-scale Kyoto tea house reconstruction, and insightful displays.
đź“ŤLocation: Japan House, 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA.
🚇 Nearest station: High Street Kensington
đź“… Open until: 6 July 2025
10. Mantegna: The Triumphs of Caesar, National Gallery
Considered to be among the finest achievements in Italian Renaissance art, a total of nine exquisite canvases were painted by legendary artist Andrea Mantegna in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. For the first time ever, six of them are leaving their Royal palace abode, the UNESCO-listed Hampton Court, while the Mantegna Gallery is under renovations. This means dear reader that you can get to see them with zone one – in none other than the National Gallery we might add – plus, it’s free to enter! Win, win.
đź“Ť Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square,WC2N 5DN.
🚇 Nearest station: Charing Cross.
đź“… Open until: 2026.
11. Bharti Kher: Target Queen, Hayward Gallery
Although not an exhibition per se, British-Indian artist Bharti Kher has completely transformed the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery into a gorgeously vibrant wonder. She has taken the building’s iconic brutalist facade to showcase a monumental installation featuring vibrant, oversized bindis. These concentric circles symbolise femininity and spirituality, all while softening the stark concrete exterior to provide a stark concrete reminder to always look up.
đź“ŤLocation: Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
🚇 Nearest station: Waterloo and Embankment
đź“… Open until: 12 Sep 2027.
12. Energy: Sparks from the Collection, V&A Museum
The V&A’s Energy: Sparks from the Collection dives into the unseen forces that power photography, while exhibiting some fabulous pieces to boot. From sunlight streaming through a lens to the burst of a flash bulb for a little mind-boggling throwback, this exhibition celebrates the energy behind every image, showcasing works from the museum’s vast photography collection.
đź“ŤLocation: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, UK
🚇 Nearest station: South Kensington
đź“… Open until: 18 May 2025.
13. Chris Ofili: Requiem, Tate Britain
Chris Ofili: Requiem is a stunning mural honouring the tragic lives lost during the Grenfell Tower fire. Tate Britain commissioned Christ Ofili to completely transform their north staircase last year, and its magnificent beauty has been captivating visitors ever since. Ofili had a connection to the tower, being friends with fellow artist Khadija Saye, who sadly lost her life in the fire. The poetic symbolism and its breathtaking vibrancy make it an absolute must-visit as we near the seventh anniversary of the London tragedy.
đź“ŤLocation: Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG
🚇 Nearest station: Pimlico.
đź“… Open until: Ongoing.