Free and interesting. The Serpentine Galleries are two small…read moregalleries located in Hyde Park, which are much closer together than I anticipated. They are easily both visited in the same stop in the park. On my visit, there was a contemporary landscape exhibit in one gallery, which unfortunately for me was also currently being visited by a large group of elementary aged school children (there was a lot of shouting, by the students and the teachers/minders trying to keep them in line). That encouraged me to...not linger long, though I liked the style of the art on display. In the other gallery was a large-scale digital work by David Hockney, along with paintings on display in the inner rooms. I happened to visit early in the day of the day he actually passed away. Just an interesting coincidence, and I assume it likely that the gallery may have been much busier in subsequent days following the news. Both galleries have gift shops, and one has a cafe and small garden. Certainly worth a stop in if you are in the park, and especially in the summer if you need a dose of climate control for a few minutes.

The current display at the Serpentine Gallery is Michaelangelo Pistoletto's exhibition. From the…read morehandbook "the artist has devised a site-specific labyrinthine installation that guides visitors through the Gallery's interior spaces to discover a series of sculptural works concealed within Pistoletto's maze-like structure alters how viewers comprehend the building's original architecture and renders them a fundamental component of the work itself." I can't quite say that I "got" it. Several four-foot wide rolls of what looks like cardboard packing materials unrolled and stood on end to make a maze, with a few interesting sculptures including a standing Buddha that is staring into a mirror. Huh?

What a lovely little gallery in one of the nicest streets in Kensington - perfect for an afternoon…read morewalk even on a grey day! A reminder that it is always worth turning off the main road to explore hidden corners and side streets. The gallery is located at the corner of Thankeray Street, a hidden gem of small shops and cafes running parallel to Kensington High Street - well worth a visit if you want to get a feel for the area's history. The gallery specialises in architectural and classical prints, in particular of the local area, which are displayed in charming surroundings. The owners are equally charming and very knowledgeable. They run a framing workshop on site and are true experts in their field.

What a charming environment for showing art! I had come across Gallery 286 by chance and a visit…read moreto this private exhibition space in Earls Court has been the highlight of the year so far. I had only recently come across the term "ego-seum" and while I dislike the word itself I just love the idea of collectors opening their homes to fellow art lovers. Gallery 286 has a lovely old-fashioned museum feel to it which provides a lovely backdrop for the art on display. I was fascinated with the current "Light Art" show which includes mind-blowing kinetic works by Andrew Ryder in the main reception room and a selection of holograms in the downstairs gallery - the main consignment of works by Dora Tass and August Muth was delayed in customs, but the selection of pieces from Jonathan Ross's (no, not Wossy) personal collection were equally fascinating. I was particularly lucky to get a chance to chat to both the host and a couple of artists - a truly enlightening evening.

I visited Leighton House Museum today, after paying £14, I found the museum very limited, with not…read moreenough art objects to compromise the fee while we have much more interesting museums and galleries in London which is free to visit. At this point I am not recommending this place and visit other free galleries first.

Gorgeously eclectic home of a great painter. Artistically designed with stunning blue tile walls…read moreleading to the "Arab Hall" which is literally fantastic! The house is beautiful and so is the art, and it's interesting to imagine how Leighton lived. If you like architecture and design, this house is a rare treat.

Art museums aren't generally my highest interest, so it took me several visits to London to make it…read morehere. This collection is fascinating for its variety and depth. The explanations provided are insightful without being dense. I can't help but think how many great churches in Italy must be missing their beautiful medieval altars...because they're here. Great Rodin sculptures. A Japan collection that is deep and very well explained. Some truly amazing tapestries, and even a couple entire grand English rooms that were moved here entirely. The building it's all housed in is wonderful as well, take a break in the central courtyard. Supposedly it has air conditioning but other than the English section, it felt warm on a day that was 80F. They were preparing for a hot week with upper gallery closures.

This is kind of a placeholder review until I go back to London and give the Victoria and Albert…read moreMuseum a proper visit. I went for the first time with my family last month, for a quick peek after an afternoon at the Natural History Museum. We didn't think our kids would be as interested in the V & A, but we had time to kill before dinner, and entry was free. Truly incredible that all these iconic museums are free and open to the public. Makes them easy to enjoy, even for fifteen minutes. Which is about all the time we got at the V & A, as we arrived at 5:15. The exhibits started closing while we studied the map, deciding what we might like to see. By the time we got to the Japanese lacquer display, which was close enough to the lobby I thought we might be able to take a peek, we were no longer allowed entry. Even the gift shop was wrapping up for the day. We were able to walk in and do a speed lap, but wouldn't have had time to shop in earnest. We did get to admire the building and the grand entry hall, with its domed ceiling and enormous Chihuly chandelier. But all the treasures within were out of reach, at least this time around. I found myself wishing I'd had a day to explore the collection, as well as the ticketed Schiaparelli and contemporary Asian art exhibits. The V & A is a top priority next time I'm in London.

Small in size, large on selection of fine art and prints…read more Specializing in framing, but much more...leave time to browse! Check out the work of Howard Phipps, David Stubbs, Paul Finn and more. Art can be mailed home, wonderful when shopping abroad.

This gallery is like a sigh, like a wonderfully brisk fresh breath of air... so calm and…read moretranquil... yet offering up art that wakes you up and makes you contemplative. They always have an artist exhibition going with some really beautiful pieces on offer - all contemporary artists... mainly British, but some stellar international talent as well. I love coming in here to simply admire the latest show that they have on their walls. It's a fantastic gallery with a really great ethos - to promote the work of modern-day artists who have a striking aesthetic that gives you slight pause. Right now, there are some invigorating landscape pieces on display by a lovely London artist, Gill Rocca... lots of snowy paths that fade into infinity and dark trees that mesmerize in a sapphire twilight - captivating and absolutely refreshing.

Daisy Cook's paintings at this great gallery feel like a holiday. They are Iceland but could be…read moreany beach or coast, real or imaginary. The colours are peaceful. Northcote always have intelligent art. They also have amazing catalogues and I always keep mine. Northcote Gallery has another smaller gallery just over the river in Battersea which is also really lovely and friendly. Restless Earth by Daisy Cook is my favourite exhibition so far but I also really enjoyed Debi O'Hehir who does amazing scuplture of horses. the gallery also has an amazing staircase leading to a roof terrace. The light is fantastic in Northcote Gallery. I love it.

I have--since relinquishing my guns as a trainee artist, resolving somewhat of an infrequent…read more"hobby" artist--for a long-time been fascinated by Japanese artwork and printing. It shouldn't be much of a surprise then, that I have often found myself in the Japanese Gallery on the Camden Passage in Islington. Neatly laid out, in a very minimalist Japanese fashion, the Japanese Gallery has been collecting an abundant selection of Ukiyo-e ("sad" or "floating world") wood-block prints that range from: antique originals that around 200 years old, if not more; to contemporary Manga reprints. The prices are quite infrequent as well, some of the stock is well out of reach for my pockets, but some antique-reprints can be as low as £10, if not lower. The varied stock is then categorised into further sections: Beauty and Female; Animals; Shunga and so on. Downstairs there are a couple of exhibitions spaces, which usually display Geisha (traditionally referring to a person of the arts) works. There are also a few reference books and knickknacks floating around, so if you're interested it's probably worth checking out.

Set in the quaint, cobble-stoned Camden Passage in Islington is this lovely little shop which sells…read morea range of delicate Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints. This form of art is the most well known of the Japanese arts where the prints are of traditional Japanese images such as geishas, samurais, sumo wrestlers, kabuki male/ female actors, landscapes and birds. You can purchase original prints ranging from just under a £100 up to thousands of pounds. However, the great thing about Japanese Gallery is that for those who can't afford to or are unwilling to spend so much on a print, can buy reproductions for £10, or slightly more if framed. The images all hold an element of charm, each telling a certain narrative and look very good hung up on a wall at home, as well as making very appropriate gifts.