Serpentine - Clerkenwell Green

Contemporary art galleries in the heart of Kensington Gardens

The Serpentine is one of the most widely recognised organisations in global contemporary art, design and architecture. Championing new ideas since it opened in 1970, the Serpentine has presented pioneering exhibitions of 2,000 artists, architects and designers over 50 years, showing a wide range of work, from emerging practitioners to the most internationally recognised artists and architects of our time.

Based across two sites Serpentine provides the perfect backdrop for any occasion. Located within the historic landscape of Kensington Gardens, Serpentine venues including South, North and the Magazine can be hired all year round as a unique venue for all types of events, including corporate receptions, product launches, fashion shows and private functions.

Serpentine

The North Gallery

A former 1805 Grade II listed gunpowder store, Serpentine North is made up of two central rectangular rooms with exposed brick and beams, encompassed by a square bright and modern gallery perimeter. The Powder rooms work particularly well for intimate dinners or lounge spaces with the flowing perimeter of the galleries perfect for standing receptions.

The South Gallery

Housed in a Grade II-listed former tea pavilion, Serpentine South is made up of four interconnecting gallery spaces which make it easy to position different elements of your event or use it as an open space.

The Pavilion

Since 2000, Serpentine has invited internationally renowned and emerging architects to create their first completed structure in England. The Pavilion commission is an unmissable opportunity to experience the latest in architectural experimentation. Seoul-based Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his firm Mass Studies have been selected to design the 23rd Serpentine Pavilion. Titled Archipelagic Void, the Pavilion is envisioned as a unique void characterised by a constellation of smaller, adaptable structures strategically positioned at the lawn adjacent to Serpentine South. This ensemble consists of five ‘islands’ surrounding a circular open space. Each ‘island’ is individually named and serves a different purpose including the Auditorium, the Gallery, the Library, the Play Tower and the Tea House.

The Magazine

The Magazine was used as a gunpowder store in 1805, and was used by the military until 1963. This Grade II listed building was reopened to the public in 2013, making this a new contemporary space with an incredibly rich history.