Dulwich Picture Gallery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Dulwich Picture Gallery
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Dulwich Picture Gallery is the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery: it was founded in 1811 when Sir Francis Bourgeois RA bequeathed his collection of old masters “for the inspection of the public”. Located in 3 acres of private gardens, today the Gallery is a vibrant cultural hub hosting some of the UK’s leading exhibitions alongside its Permanent Collection of Baroque masterpieces while staging a wide-ranging programme of public events, practical art and community engagement.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

See what travelers are saying
  • The_Coach55
    Ruislip, United Kingdom961 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Always Good
    Dulwich Picture Gallery is a short half mile walk away from West Dulwich Station through Belair Park. I have visited many times over the years and always enjoy the well curated content. Recently I viewed exhibitions by Lithuanian artist M K Ciurlionis and Helen Frankenthaler. The in house collection is also very good. I like the Poussins on show, as well as works by Joshua Reynolds, Reubens and Murillo. My particular favourite, however, is Walton Bridge by Canaletto. Admission fees are variable but i generally get a discount with my Art Fund card.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written April 5, 2023
  • Derin W
    Maidenhead, United Kingdom2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Morisot , An outstanding exhibition
    We visited the Berthe Morisot exhibition recently. It is outstanding. Morisot was a very significant influence on the impressionist movement and not really recognised in her day. This exhibition sets the record straight. This is a comprehensive view on her work , her influences, her family, and the Paris art establishment. Well worth a visit.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 5, 2023
  • caroline2
    Paris, France476 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very interesting exhibition
    Very interesting exhibition on Berthe Morisot « Shaping Impressionism » in this gallery. There is also a permanent collection with some Rubens, Canaletto and others. They are allowing visitors to take pictures. It’s certainly worth going even though the gallery access is a little bit far from the station.
    Visited June 2023
    Written August 15, 2023
  • John Speller
    Dagenham, United Kingdom676 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A fine gallery
    I hadn't heard of this gallery, and had never been to Dulwich. I am glad I did. The gallery is a ten minute pleasant walk from North Dulwich station. It costs £15 admission, but Is good value for money. There are plenty of old Masters paintings to look at, by the likes of Van Dyk, Rubens and Gainsborough. The description plaques were informative. The Berthe Morisot exhibition was extensive and interesting. It was busy in there. Worth visiting.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written August 30, 2023
  • Paul H
    Surrey, United Kingdom49 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A nice gallery South of the River
    A really nice gallery South of the River. I drove here from Hampshire on a Sunday, which was easier than I was expecting and parking was very easy in the road outside. It has a varied collection of works which are all high quality. I was lucky enough to visit when there was a Berthe Morisot exhibition, which was wonderful. I found that while I was there a coach trip would arrive and you'd suddenly be inundated with people, but they'd all bustle through quite quickly and it would go very quiet again. I'd certainly recommend a visit.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written September 16, 2023
  • Liz
    London, United Kingdom19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Rubens' Women have bunions - so true to life
    The Rubens exhibition of lovely ladies in Dulwich Picture Gallery features boobs bottoms and...bunions! And very quizzical eyebrows. I loved the sketches as they are so gentle and reflect the realities of life. The paintings' colours are radiant, so cheer up your winter Sunday with a visit. And today is a day of Apricity (the latin name for the warmth of winter sunshine).
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles481 reviews
Excellent
276
Very good
150
Average
36
Poor
14
Terrible
5

Michael T
London, UK138 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
I went with a man I was looking after. He wanted to see the Rembrandt Light exhibition. There are 1 or 2 large paintings and a lot of very small ones. My gentleman complained because we had to pay £7 to see the exhibition although he is a member of the freinds of art society which gave him free entrance to the permanent collection. There was not much of intrest in the gift shop. Perhaps using the audio tour would have helped although my client cannot concentrate for long and he decided he didnt like the darkness of the rembrandts.The cafe was very nice. Lots to eat very bright and smart. Would reccomend. Staff very freindly
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

futtock21
London, UK11,622 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Solo
Dulwich Picture Gallery is a tale of two halves: the permanent collection of European masterpieces particularly from the 17th and 18th centuries - think the likes of Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Watteau; then a cluster of small rooms to the rear housing a temporary exhibition space. The most recent exhibition entitled English Surrealism is almost a contradiction in terms as surrealism was a mainly continental movement and its adherents in this country only appear to have contributed to it fitfully; and, after World War II only by two women Eileen Agar and Leonore Carrington unless one also includes Desmond Morris still more known as a zoologist than an artist. The architecture of the gallery, the first purpose built art gallery anywhere in the world to a design by Sir John Soane is of considerable interest in itself. There is a bookshop and cafe.
Written March 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VWriter
Los Gatos, CA901 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
It was with anticipation that I included this gallery in my travel plans when I visited London, the big attraction being the special exhibition, 'Rembrandt's Light'. Much promotion but it was only a few rooms of of paintings and
drawings. In fairness they did illustrate the master's technique of light and darkness, as the exhibition promises, but if only there had been more, I would have felt that the 30 minute tube and bus rides and 15 minute walk each way would have been justified. The resident collection includes work by major European artists of mostly the 18th and 19tb centuries, which makes it an interesting gallery. There is a nice cafe and pretty grounds on site. Dulwich village is a delight to walk through and helps the picture gallery, as one of its cultural landmarks, be a pleasure to stop in and spend an hour.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

futtock21
London, UK11,622 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Solo
It’s good to be back to Dulwich Picture Gallery which I think nat have suffered more than most from lockdowns as it re-opened later than most museums and art galleries. It still has on a highly original exhibition of pioneering photography of flower and plants from Victorian times to modernist twentieth century and contemporary works cultivating in a veritable fiery kiln. Either side of the entrance on facing walls contemporary artist Sinta Tantra has designed a mural called The Grand Tour. Together with the photographs these act as a sort of riff around the extraordinary collection of old masters such as Rembrandts, Van Dycks, Murillos and Gainsboroughs that make up the main collection.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The_Coach55
Ruislip, UK961 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Solo
Dulwich Picture Gallery is a short half mile walk away from West Dulwich Station through Belair Park.

I have visited many times over the years and always enjoy the well curated content.

Recently I viewed exhibitions by Lithuanian artist M K Ciurlionis and Helen Frankenthaler.

The in house collection is also very good. I like the Poussins on show, as well as works by Joshua Reynolds, Reubens and Murillo.

My particular favourite, however, is Walton Bridge by Canaletto.

Admission fees are variable but i generally get a discount with my Art Fund card.
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ruth O
Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom4 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
I’ve been visiting Dulwich Gallery for many years and have
regarded it as a treasured local gem. However, on our first
post covid visit we were surprised to find a big hike in entry
price, which gave no concessions to elderly visitors, though
there are various other categories of concession.
We enjoyed the Soulscapes exhibition and seeing our
favourites in the main gallery, but we would now think twice
about paying over £30 before popping in again.
Written February 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MMOMOR
27 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Very few paintings so go elsewhere and see the same artists without having to pay the overpriced costs £17.50... This should be a free Gallery to justify the effort... especially given the cost of getting to Dulwich to see it. On a plus the John Sloane house is amazing. And free entry . And central London. Go there instead.
Written February 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

monksal3
St. Albans, UK9 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Went on the day the Gallery reopened after Lockdown. Gallery visit was excellent as usual. However the day was significantly spoilt by the experience of the cafe and toilets. I wiped our inside table with an antibacterial wipe which ended up filthy. The table cannot have been cleaned recently, nor the floor. And the toilets were smelly and lacking necessary facilities. Surely the site should not open without all components being presented to a high standard and COVID compliant. Disappointing.
Written May 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

drsnoddy
London, UK29 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
One of the best exhibitions out of the many that I have seen at this gallery. The film of the artist discussing her techniques really added to the experience.
On the downside the cafe has new management. Gone are the lovely homemade salads to be replaced by dishes of the brunch variety offered by so many similar cafes.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Plantguy35
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Couples
We visited the gallery as we heard that it was open but when we got there it was still closed. We was surprised that the park around the gallery was so quiet in comparison to the others, so we bought some drinks from the bar attached to the gallery and still had a nice afternoon. It was a different day to what we planned but still great. Will be back once the museum reopens.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 448
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Dulwich Picture Gallery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Dulwich Picture Gallery

Dulwich Picture Gallery is open:
  • Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM




© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.