In the middle of Kensington Gardens, two galleries face each other across the water: the Serpentine South, a former tea pavilion, and the Serpentine North, a sleek conversion by Zaha Hadid. Together they form one of London’s most distinctive platforms for contemporary art and architecture.

Serpentine Pavilion 2025 by Marina Tabassum

The exhibitions are international, ambitious, and often interdisciplinary, weaving together painting, photography, digital work, and live performance. The galleries thrive on their relationship with the park: they are open, porous spaces where the walk to and from the show is part of the experience. Entry is free, and the visitor mix is eclectic — art students, families, curious walkers.

Each summer, the Serpentine Pavilion transforms the grounds into a social hub. Commissioned from a different architect every year, the structure becomes a temporary café, meeting point, and playground for ideas. It’s a rare example of architecture as event, drawing design enthusiasts and casual passers-by alike.