Whitechapel Gallery

Pioneering contemporary art gallery in East London, free admission, historic venue for world-class exhibitions since 1901.

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Whitechapel Gallery

A pioneering public art gallery established in 1901 in London's East End, Whitechapel Gallery has shaped contemporary art history by premiering world-class artists from Picasso and Jackson Pollock to emerging talents today. Housed in a striking Arts and Crafts building expanded in 2009, it offers free general admission to nine exhibition spaces, a specialist bookshop, and a café. Located steps from Aldgate East station, it remains a touchstone for international contemporary art and a vital cultural institution for East London.

A brief summary to Whitechapel Gallery

77-82 Whitechapel High St, London, E1 7QX, GB
+442075227888
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Free
Indoor
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Tuesday 11 am-6 pm
Wednesday 11 am-6 pm
Thursday 11 am-9 pm
Friday 11 am-6 pm
Saturday 11 am-6 pm
Sunday 11 am-6 pm

Local tips

Visit on Thursday evenings for Whitechapel Lates (6–9pm) to enjoy free entry to all exhibitions in a more relaxed atmosphere with extended opening hours.
Explore the ground-floor gallery first—it is one of London's most memorable art spaces and offers a direct connection to Whitechapel High Street's vibrant street life.
Check the website before visiting to confirm current exhibitions; some shows require advance booking and may have a fee, while general admission remains free.
Allow time to admire the building's architectural details, including the golden leaves and the cupola's weather vane featuring a Canadian artist's whimsical sculpture of Erasmus reading backwards on horseback.
Combine your visit with exploration of nearby Whitechapel Market and the surrounding East End creative quarter, one of the world's most vibrant contemporary art neighborhoods.

Getting There

Underground (Tube)

Aldgate East station on the District and Hammersmith & City lines is less than one minute walk from the gallery entrance. Liverpool Street station (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines) is approximately 15 minutes walk away. Journey times from central London vary between 5–20 minutes depending on your starting point. No booking required; standard Transport for London fares apply.
Bus

Multiple bus routes serve the area. Routes 25, 205, and 254 stop directly outside the gallery. Routes 15, 115, 40, 42, 45, and 67 stop near Aldgate Station. Routes 35, 43, 78, 149, 242, 344, and 388 serve Commercial Road. Routes 242 and 253 stop near Liverpool Street Station. Journey times from central London typically range from 20–40 minutes depending on traffic and route. Standard Transport for London fares apply.
Overground

Shoreditch High Street station on the East London Line is approximately 15 minutes walk from the gallery. Tower Gateway DLR station is also within walking distance. These options provide alternative connections to East London and surrounding areas with standard Transport for London fares.
Walking

The gallery is centrally located in Whitechapel, accessible on foot from Liverpool Street (15 minutes), Tower of London (10 minutes), and Brick Lane (5 minutes). The surrounding area is pedestrian-friendly with level pavements and clear street signage. The neighborhood is well-lit and busy during daytime hours.

Whitechapel Gallery location weather suitability

Any Weather

Discover more about Whitechapel Gallery

A Century of Artistic Pioneering

Founded in 1901 by Samuel and Henrietta Barnett, the Whitechapel Gallery emerged from a vision to bring great art to the people of East London. The Barnetts believed that art could educate communities and reveal the beauty of nature and substance of hope. Designed by Charles Harrison Townsend, the original building opened as one of London's first publicly funded galleries for temporary exhibitions, embodying the British Modern Style with its distinctive Arts and Crafts aesthetic. The gallery's history is marked by a series of firsts that fundamentally shaped post-war British and international art: in 1939, Picasso's masterpiece Guernica was displayed here during its only visit to Britain; in 1958, the gallery presented the first major exhibition of American abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock in the UK; and in 1970–1971, it staged the first major shows of David Hockney, Gilbert & George, and Richard Long to widespread acclaim.

Landmark Exhibitions and Cultural Impact

The gallery played a defining role in post-war British art history through exhibitions such as This is Tomorrow in 1956 and The New Generation in 1964, which introduced audiences to Bridget Riley, John Hoyland, and Patrick Caulfield. In 1961, it hosted the first UK retrospective of Mark Rothko, cementing its reputation as a venue for major artistic statements. Beyond Western contemporary art, the gallery has consistently championed diverse perspectives, including the 1908 exhibition Muhammadan Art and Life in Turkey, Persia, Egypt, Morocco and India, and more recently, the 2015 show Imperfect Chronology: Arab Art from the Modern to the Contemporary. This commitment to breadth and innovation continues through exhibitions featuring artists such as Thomas Ruff, Elmgreen & Dragset, and Mark Dion.

Architectural Evolution and Expansion

The gallery's physical form reflects its growing ambitions. The original 1901 building, though designed with incomplete elements due to budget constraints and site limitations, created a memorable sequence of spaces culminating in a broad lower gallery with a soaring vaulted hallway. In 2009, after a two-year renovation project costing approximately £13.5 million, the gallery approximately doubled in size by incorporating the adjacent former Passmore Edwards library building. This expansion, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, created nine exhibition spaces, a fully equipped auditorium, dedicated study and studio areas, a specialist bookshop, and a café. The building now houses a full-size tapestry based on Picasso's Guernica, loaned from the United Nations Art Collection, a permanent reminder of the gallery's historic role in global artistic discourse.

Community and Contemporary Practice

Since 1932, the gallery has run an open-call exhibition for artists living and working in East London, originally called the East End Academy and now known as The London Open. For nearly 90 years, this annual show has provided a platform for local artists to exhibit publicly, fostering a direct relationship between the institution and its community. The programme has launched the careers of artists including Antony Gormley, Richard Wentworth, Cornelia Parker, and Rachel Whiteread. Today, the gallery remains embedded in one of the world's most diverse and creative quarters, balancing its role as a touchstone for international contemporary art with its commitment to East London's artistic vitality.

Access and Visitor Experience

General admission to the gallery is free, making world-class contemporary art accessible to all visitors. The ground-floor gallery, one of London's most memorable art spaces, opens directly onto Whitechapel High Street, creating an immediate connection between the street and the art within. The gallery offers free displays year-round alongside selected ticketed exhibitions. Thursday evenings feature Whitechapel Lates, providing free entry to all exhibitions between 6–9pm, extending access to working professionals and evening visitors. The onsite café Alba serves sweet and savoury options, while the bookshop, managed by Walther Koenig Books, stocks beautifully illustrated titles on modern and contemporary art, photography, architecture, and art theory.

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Unmissable attractions to see

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Old Spitalfields Market

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The Truman Brewery

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Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Whitechapel Gallery

A brief summary to Whitechapel Gallery

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Underground (Tube)

Bus

Overground

Walking

Whitechapel Gallery location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Whitechapel Gallery

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Whitechapel Gallery

A Century of Artistic Pioneering

Landmark Exhibitions and Cultural Impact

Architectural Evolution and Expansion

Community and Contemporary Practice

Access and Visitor Experience

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

St Mary’s, Whitechapel (The White Chapel)

Princelet St

Travelodge London Central Liverpool Street

Northumbria University - London

Mitre Square

Devonshire Square

Bevis Marks Synagogue

182 Bishopsgate

30 Saint Mary Axe - Swiss Re

30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)

London Wall

Sundial at the Tower Hill

Tower Hill

Trinity Square

Tower Hill Memorial

Unmissable attractions to see

The Jack the Ripper Tour

The White Hart

Altab Ali Park

Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Brick Lane Mosque

Christ Church Spitalfields

St Botolph without Aldgate

Upmarket Brick Lane Food Hall

Old Spitalfields Market

Moonshine Saloon

Dray Walk

The Truman Brewery

Jack The Ripper Museum

Spitalfields Charnel House

Brick Ln

Essential places to dine

Mattarello Chiodo Bolognese Restaurant

Barcelona Tapas Bar & Restaurant

Marugame Udon Middlesex Street

Nomadic community

14 Hills

La Dame de Pic London

Lyle's

The Clove Club

Nest Restaurant Old Street

Brawn

Restaurant Story

Da Terra Restaurant

George

St. John

Dans le Noir ? London Restaurant

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Fashion St

Petticoat Lane Market

Commercial St

Middlesex Textiles

The Brick Lane Vintage Market

DPUS Designer Outlet

Sclater Street Market

Backyard Market

Spitalfields Market

The Truman Brewery Markets

Brick Lane Souvenirs