Whitechapel Gallery
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Free displays and artist-led activities in an east London gallery where under 16s never pay for the ticketed show.
Most of what's on here is free to walk into. The gallery runs one ticketed exhibition a season alongside several free displays, and under 16s get in free to the ticketed one anyway, so you're really only paying for yourself if you fancy it. Standard entry is £16.50, which stings a bit for a family visit, but a National Art Pass brings it down to £8.25, and if you're a member already it's worth digging the card out before you buy.
Artist-led activities run for all ages. The Common Rooms are the bit worth saving time for, chairs, sofas and books to flop into once the legs give out, which is handy because galleries are a lot more walking than they look on paper. There's no age range given for the activities, so use your judgement on whether a toddler will get much from it versus a curious ten-year-old.
Alba Caffè does coffee and seasonal lunches if you need to break the visit up, and there's baby changing if you've got a little one in tow. The ticket desk is card only, so don't turn up planning to pay in cash. It's a one-minute walk from Aldgate East underground, which makes it an easy one to slot into a wider day out rather than a whole day in itself.
Wheelchair access covers lift and stairs to the Common Rooms, and there's free Blue Badge parking nearby at Osborn Street if you're driving in. Booking online ahead is advised but you can just buy at the desk on arrival, unless you're in a group of nine or more, in which case they want two weeks' notice.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- No set age range, but the free displays and Common Rooms suit school-age kids best
- Booking
- Tickets online ahead of visit advised but can purchase at ticket desk on arrival
- Parking
- External paid car parks nearby
- Food
- Alba Caffè serving specialty coffee, seasonal lunches and baked goods
- Wheelchairs
- Full access information available on Access page
- Getting there by bus or train
- Less than 1 minute walk from Aldgate East underground
- Worth knowing
- Under 16s go free. Carers of disabled visitors go free
- Under 16s go free into the ticketed exhibition, so you're only really paying for adults
- Card only at the ticket desk, no cash
- A National Art Pass cuts the standard price by more than half
- Groups of nine or more must book two weeks ahead
- Closed all day Monday, and open till 9pm on Thursdays if you want a later visit
Plan your visit
Is it free to get in?
The free displays are free. There's one ticketed exhibition each season, and under 16s go free to that one too.
How much are tickets for adults?
£16.50 standard, £9.50 concession. If you've got a National Art Pass it drops to £8.25.
Do we need to book ahead?
It's advised online but you can turn up and buy at the desk. Groups of nine or more need to book two weeks in advance.
Can we pay in cash?
No, the ticket desk is card only.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Alba Caffè does specialty coffee, seasonal lunches and baked goods on site.
Is it OK for a toddler?
There's no age guidance given for the activities, so it depends on your toddler. The Common Rooms give you somewhere to sit if a break's needed.
What's there for older kids?
Artist-led activities run for all ages, and under 16s go free into the ticketed exhibition.
Is there parking?
There's free Blue Badge parking at Osborn Street, plus paid car parks nearby including the Buckle Street multistorey.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's lift and stairs access to the Common Rooms and full access details on their access page.
What's the closest station?
Aldgate East, less than a minute's walk. Liverpool Street, Tower Gateway and Shoreditch High Street are about 15 minutes on foot.
Are carers charged?
Carers of disabled visitors go free.
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