I've lived and worked in South London for years, and I still discover new galleries, studios, and creative spaces that make me proud to call this part of the city home. If you love art — whether you collect, create, or simply enjoy beautiful things — here is my honest, personal guide to the best art galleries and spaces in South London.
1. Dulwich Picture Gallery
England's oldest public art gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery is a gem that many Londoners have never visited. Designed by Sir John Soane in 1817, it houses a stunning permanent collection of Old Masters — Rembrandt, Rubens, Gainsborough — in a building that is itself a work of art. The light is extraordinary, particularly in the morning. If you go once, you'll keep going back.
It's easy to reach from London Bridge or Victoria, and the surrounding Dulwich Village is perfect for a slow afternoon.
2. The Horniman Museum and Gardens
Technically a natural history and anthropology museum, but the Horniman's temporary exhibitions are reliably excellent — and the garden views are genuinely therapeutic. I often visit for inspiration when I'm working on a new landscape series. There is something about seeing art in an unexpected context that opens up the imagination.
3. Carshalton Arts Open Studios (CAOS)
Every June, Carshalton opens up its studios to the public. Around 60 artists throw open their doors across the village over two weekends, giving visitors rare access to working creative spaces. I take part every year and it remains one of my favourite events in the calendar — the conversations, the curiosity, the genuine connection with people who love art.
If you'd like to visit my studio during CAOS 2026, you can RSVP here.
4. South London Gallery
Located in Camberwell, the South London Gallery has been showing challenging, contemporary work since 1891. The programme is consistently adventurous — often international, often politically engaged, and always thought-provoking. The Fire Station space next door has added a whole new dimension to the venue. It's free entry for most exhibitions, which makes it one of the great cultural bargains in London.
5. Peckham Levels and the Peckham Art Scene
Peckham has become a genuine creative hub over the past decade. Peckham Levels — a multi-storey car park repurposed as studios, bars, and event spaces — is the most visible part of this, but the real action is in the independent galleries and studios scattered across Rye Lane and the surrounding streets. Bold Tendencies, a summer programme of sculpture and performance on the rooftop car park, is particularly worth knowing about.
6. Bankside, Bermondsey and the Blue Route
Just north of the river but firmly within South London's creative orbit, Bermondsey Street is lined with galleries and studios. The Blue Route art walk connects many of them and is worth downloading if you're planning a gallery day. The White Cube in Bermondsey is the largest, but the smaller independent spaces are often the most interesting.
My favourite thing about South London art
What I love most about the South London art scene is that it's still human-scale. There are real artists living in these communities, studios you can actually visit, and collectors who buy because they love the work — not because they're investing. That's the culture I want to be part of, and it's why I paint South London landscapes myself.
If you'd like to own a piece of the landscapes I paint around Carshalton, Sutton, and the wider South London area, browse my gallery here. Or if you'd like me to paint a specific place that matters to you, find out more about commissions.
