Saatchi Gallery
where the ybas broke through
Big, bold contemporary art in a grand old military HQ off the King's Road, free to walk into, the gallery that launched the Young British Artists.
Free to visit · Chelsea · Sloane Square · SW3 4RY
Opening: Daily 10am–6pm
The Saatchi Gallery is the place that, more than any other, put Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and the rest of the Young British Artists on the map in the 1990s. It now lives in the Duke of York's headquarters, a handsome old military building off the King's Road, and general admission is free.
The spaces are huge, white and flooded with light, which suits the scale of the contemporary work it shows, often immersive, often provocative, sometimes baffling, rarely boring. The free general entry gets you most of it, with only the big blockbuster shows asking for a ticket.
It sits in the middle of one of London's smartest shopping streets, so it is an easy and free thing to fold into a Chelsea wander. Duke of York Square outside has a Saturday food market and plenty of benches if you want to sit out afterwards.
Getting there: A couple of minutes from Sloane Square, set back behind the Duke of York Square just off the King's Road.
Best time to go: A weekday, when the King's Road is calmer. General admission is free, though the occasional headline show is ticketed, so check before a special trip.
Insider tip: Check what is on before you make a special trip, because the headline shows are sometimes ticketed while the rest stays free. Saturdays bring a good food market to the square outside, so time it for lunch and eat for less than the King's Road cafes charge.
Official site: https://www.saatchigallery.com
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide