As one of the world’s most important capital cities, those looking to enjoy some of the finest, rarest and most contemporary art on the planet flock to London. And if you’re looking to enjoy a wide range of art in one place, then the small neighbourhood of Mayfair has an incredible array of galleries and exhibition spaces just waiting to be discovered.

Great art in London

The best thing about art is how subjective it is. Some art lovers will want to visit large art museums, and take a trip through history one painting at a time, whereas others will enjoy abstract contemporary pieces, carefully curated in a small and intimate space. But whatever your artistic poison, Mayfair has a gallery for you to enjoy.

Given its proximity to London's West end, Mayfair is a small village-like neighbourhood, tucked away behind the hustle and bustle of places like Oxford Street and Green Park. But within these pretty and humble little streets lie tens of galleries and exhibition spaces, where you can discover some of the world's most incredible art.

For example, you can visit the Royal Academy of Arts in Burlington House, which is a historic and revered institution that regularly exhibits art and sculpture from some of the world's most famous artists. Or you can choose to visit some of Mayfair’s smaller and lesser known exhibition spaces, where you'll discover an entire world of contemporary art from up and coming artists and sculptors.

As you can see, Mayfair offers a unique and rich experience for art lovers, and we can wait to tell you everything you need to know about enjoying great art in London and Mayfair!

Things to do in London for art lovers

With so much to choose from, starting your artistic journey through Mayfair may feel a little daunting. But have no fear, we're here to help you!

We're going to take you through Mayfair's historic streets, and bring you our selection of things to do in London for art lovers. From museums housing ancient artefacts, to the annual Mayfair Art Weekend and the well-known Sculpture Trail, this small London area has it all. And with that in mind, here are some of our top picks for art lovers who wish to discover great art in London.

Hamiltons Gallery

Where? 13 Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2EU
What? Modern gallery staging rotating exhibitions featuring renowned contemporary photographers
Website: https://www.hamiltonsgallery.com/

Why it’s great for art lovers: Established in 1977, Hamiltons Gallery is one of London’s most revered and interesting photography spaces, specialising in the sale of photographs from the mid-twentieth century onwards.

Perfect for an afternoon of visual delight, this Mayfair institution is also the ideal spot to purchase your first picture, or add to your current collection. With years of experience behind them, the team at Hamiltons are always on hand to offer insights into their current exhibitions, or advice on which prints you should consider purchasing.

Important artists that have exhibited at this gallery include Mario Testino, Helmut Newton and Horst P. Horst.

Sapling Gallery

Where? 124 Mount Street Mews, Mayfair, W1K 3NR
What? A new space for emerging artists in the heart of Mayfair
Website: https://www.sapling.gallery/

Why it’s great for art lovers: tucked away on the delightful and quaint Mount Street Mews, art lovers can find Sapling Gallery, Mayfair’s new addition to the art scene. With works curated by Charlotte Call and Caspar Williams, this small but light modern space is the ideal place to discover vibrant artworks from some of London’s premier artists.

Previous exhibitions have included These Here, Quietly by Angus McCrum, Way Out East by Jessie Stevenson and the inimitable Seeds of Change, which was a one-day performance featuring a combination of various artists.

JD Malat Gallery

Where? 30 Davies Street, Mayfair, W1K 4NB
What? Gallery specialising in the showcasing of the very best contemporary art
Website: https://jdmalat.com/

Why it’s great for art lovers: Founded in 2017 by Jean-David Malat, the JD Malat Gallery has made a huge name for itself in its 4-year career.

Showcasing the most contemporary and visceral modern art anywhere in London, visitors to this large and inviting space can enjoy works that include paintings, sculpture and photography, as well as regularly-changing exhibitions and fairs.

Artists represented by the JD Malat Gallery include Andrew Litten, Darren Reid, Ed Moses and Kojo Marfo.

Gagosian

Where? 20 Grosvenor Hill, Mayfair, London
What? A global gallery of contemporary art
Website: https://gagosian.com/

Why it’s great for art lovers: This global gallery is known all over the world for it's contemporary and modern exhibitions. And the Mayfair location is no different. The Gagosian hosts some of the best pieces that modern art has to offer. It also exhibits some of the finest contemporary artists, including (but not limited to) Mark Tansey, Rachel Feinstein and Takashi Murakami. The Gagosian gallery truly is a must-see for any art lover visiting the Mayfair area.

Notable exhibitions and annual art events

As we’ve seen, there’s no end to the incredible art you can discover in the Mayfair neighbourhood. And you’ll be pleased to know that you can find even more events to enjoy in this area throughout the year, including the annual Mayfair Art Weekend, which includes the immersive and exciting Sculpture Trail.

So here’s a look at some of the most exciting annual art events in Mayfair, along with details of some of the most important previous exhibitions and events that have taken place over the last couple of years.

Mayfair Art Weekend

When? Late June (annually)
What? Weekend-long art event held in various places in the Mayfair neighbourhood
Website: https://www.mayfairartweekend.com/

Why is it special? When it comes to great art in London, those in the know head to the Mayfair Art Weekend, held every June in and around the Mayfair district. With installations of art, photography, sculpture and film, this immersive collection of displays and activities is suitable for the whole family.

One of the most popular highlights of the weekend is the Mayfair Sculpture Trail, where you can walk some of London’s most beautiful streets and take in some truly incredible works of art. Download the map and enjoy a stroll past some of the now-permanent pieces, including Lawrence Holofcener’s Allies on New Bond Street, Three Figures by sculptor Neal French at Bourdon Place and even Banksy’s Falling Shopper on Bruton Lane.

#Welcometomayfair