London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [173]
CHELSEA
Art Gallery
Saatchi Gallery.
If there was one man who lit the fuse to the contemporary art explosion as of late, it is probably Charles Saatchi and his cutting-edge art collection. After migrating to several museums and being shown around the world, it found a permanent home in 2008 in this ultramodern gallery, which now sprawls through the 70,000 square feet of the Duke of York’s HQ building in Chelsea, complete with a bookshop and café-bar. | Duke of York’s HQ, Sloane Sq., Chelsea | SW3 4RY | 020/7823–2332 | www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk | Free | Daily 10 am–6 pm | Sloane Sq.
Theater
Royal Court Theatre.
Britain’s undisputed epicenter of new writing, the RCT is now 50 years old and continues to produce gritty British and international drama. TIP Don’t miss the best deal in town—10-pence standing tickets go on sale one hour before each performance, and there are £10 tickets on Monday. | Sloane Sq., Chelsea | SW1W 8AS | 020/7565–5000 | www.royalcourttheatre.com | Sloane Sq.
KENSINGTON
Art Gallery
Serpentine Gallery.
Built in 1934 as a tea pavilion in Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine has an international reputation for exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Man Ray, Henry Moore, Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley, Damien Hirst, and Rachel Whiteread are a few of the artists who have had exhibits here. The annual Summer Pavilion, a striking temporary structure designed by a different leading architect every year, is always worth catching. | Kensington Gardens, South Kensington | W2 3XA | 020/7402–6075 | www.serpentinegallery.org | Free | Daily 10–6 | South Kensington, Lancaster Gate.
Classical Music
Cadogan Hall.
Formerly a church, Cadogan Hall has been turned into a spacious concert venue, home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and where the English Chamber Orchestra performs regularly. | 5 Sloane Terr., Kensington | SW1X 9DQ | 020/7730–4500 | www.cadoganhall.com | Sloane Sq.
Royal Albert Hall.
Built in 1871, this splendid iron-and-glass–dome auditorium hosts music programs in a wide range of genres, including top-flight pop artists, as well as being the home of Europe’s most democratic music festival, the Proms. The hall is also open daily for daytime guided tours (£8) and occasional backstage tours (£12). | Kensington Gore, Kensington | SW7 5EX | 020/7589–8212 | www.royalalberthall.com | South Kensington.
Opera
Opera Holland Park.
In summer, well-loved operas and imaginative productions of relatively unknown works are presented under a spectacular new canopy against the remains of Holland House, one of the first great houses built in Kensington. Ticket prices range from £10 to £57, with 1,200 tickets offered free to young people ages 9–18 every season. Tickets go on sale in April. | Holland Park, Kensington High St., Kensington | W8 6LU | 0845/230–9769 | www.operahollandpark.com | High Street Kensington, Holland Park.
GREATER LONDON
Opera
Glyndebourne.
Fifty-four miles south of London, Glyndebourne is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. During its glamorous summer festival, six operas are presented from mid-May to late August. The best route by car is the M23 to Brighton, then the A27 toward Lewes. There are regular trains from London (Victoria) to Lewes with coach connections to and from Glyndebourne. Call the information office for recommended trains for each performance. | Lewes | BN8 5UU | 01273/815–000 | www.glyndebourne.com.
NOTTING HILL
Film
The Electric Cinema.
This refurbished Portobello Road art house screens mainstream and international movies. The emphasis is on comfort, with leather sofas, armchairs, footstools, and mini–coffee tables