Spitalfields and Banglatown museums and galleries

Whitechapel Gallery

Whitechapel is the location of one of London's leading contemporary art establishments - the Whitechapel Gallery.

This is a stylish and spacious gallery showing contemporary and 20th century art. Works by the great artists of the twentieth century have hung at the Whitechapel Gallery including Picasso (Guernica was shown in 1939), Pollock, Caro, Leger and Miro.

There is a cafe that is open during gallery hours, and an art bookshop.

The Whitechapel Gallery is undergoing a development and expansion programme, which should be completed by summer 2009.

Angel Alley Entrance
80-92 Whitechapel High Street
London E1

Tel: 020 7522 7878
Visit: www.whitechapel.org

Opening hours until summer 2009:

• Gallery: Wednesday–Sunday 11am-6pm
• Late night talks: Thursdays to 9pm
• Music nights: Fridays to 11pm

Admission: Entry to most exhibitions is free

Nearest underground station: Aldgate East

Sunday Shoots

A series of portraits involving the general public, ‘Sunday Shoots’ is an ongoing project initiated by photographer Seamus Ryan. Photographs are taken each Sunday in the studio, located close to the Columbia Road Sunday Flower Market. It is free to take part and everyone is welcome - images are posted to the Sunday Shoots website a few days later and are also available to purchase.

7 Ezra Street
London E2 7RH

Tel: 020 7613 5576
Fax: 020 7613 2287
E-mail: info@sundayshoots.com
Visit: www.sundayshoots.com

Open: Sundays only, 10am – 3pm. At all other times by appointment.

Admission: Free

Nearest tube stations: Old Street, Liverpool Street & Bethnal Green
Nearest railway stations: Old Street, Liverpool Street, Bethnal Green & Shoreditch

Rich Mix

A multi-discipline arts centre which includes a dedicated visual and creative arts space, a cinema programme and performances. Rich Mix also hosts occasional events organised by jazz and art gallery ‘The Spitz’, formerly located in Spitalfields market.

Rich Mix Cultural Foundation
35-47 Bethnal Green Road
London E1 6LA

email: info@richmix.org.uk
tel: 020 7613 7490
web: www.richmix.org.uk

Royal London Hospital Archives & Museum

The Royal London, once Britain’s largest general hospital, was founded in 1740 by seven philanthropists, led by 22 year old surgeon, John Harrison. It’s been at it’s present site at Whitechapel since 1757 and has been a teaching hospital since 1785. The Archives and Museum tell the hospital’s story.

St Philips Church
Newark Street
London E1 2AA

Tel: 020 7377 7608
Visit: www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk

Open: 10am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Closed public holidays and Christmas - New Year

Admission: Free (donations welcome)

Nearest underground station: Whitechapel

Dennis Severs House

The house is a time capsule – sometimes opened up. Its creator, Dennis Severs, an artist used his visitor’s imagination as his canvas, and who lived in the house much the same as its original inhabitants may have done in the early18th Century. To enter its door is to pass through a frame into a painting: one with a time and life of its own.

18 Folgate Street
Spitalfields
E1 6BX

Tel: 020 7247 4013
E-mail: info@denissevershouse.org.uk
Web: www.dennissevershouse.co.uk

Open: Every Monday evening (except bank holidays), by candlelight: "Silent Night". Times vary with the light of seasons and booking is necessary. The price is £12.

Then on the first and third Sunday of each month between 2 and 5pm. The price is £8 per person. No booking required.

And at lunch time between 12 and 2pm on the Monday following the first and third Sunday, price £5. No booking required.

Nearest tube – Liverpool Street

Buses – 8, 242, 149, 78

The Women's Library

The Women's Library is a cultural centre, housing the most extensive collection of women's history in the UK. As well as the Reading Room there is a lively exhibition and events programme, and the Wash Houses Café. Whether you want to study, browse, or just drop in, there is something to discover.

Old Castle Street
London E1 7NT

Tel: 020 7320 2222
Fax: 020 7320 2333
Visit: www.londonmet.ac.uk/thewomenslibrary

Open: Tue, Wed, Fri 9.30am-5pm, Thu 9.30am-8pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Nearest underground stations: Aldgate East, Aldgate, Liverpool Street
Nearest railway stations: Liverpool Street
Bus: 15, 25, 40, 42, 67, 78, 100, 115, 253